Edward in Deep Water

Edward the Unready

by Rosemary Wells

Lively watercolors mark the tale of little Edward, a bear who sometimes does not feel quite ready for what he has to do, as he goes to Georgina's pool party and is ridiculed for using his water wings.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Animals, Storytime, Fiction

32 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 1995

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Rosemary Wells is an American writer and illustrator of children's books. She often uses animal characters to address real human issues. Some of her most well-known characters are Max & Ruby and Timothy from Timothy Goes To School (both were later adapted into Canadian-animated preschool television series, the former’s airing on Nickelodeon (part of the Nick Jr. block) and the latter’s as part of PBS Kids on PBS).

Reviews

[La Coccinelle · Rating 1 out of 5]

Oh, wow. What a terrible message! Poor Edward.

Edward is going to Georgina's birthday party, which is at a pool. He wants to wear his water wings, because they make him feel safe. His parents try to convince him not to, but he insists. The other kids call him a sissy. Then Georgina and Ivy hug him condescendingly, so tightly that his water wings pop... and then they push him in the water! The lifeguard has to rescue Edward and then call his parents and tell them that Edward's too young for that kind of party.

Um... what? No, how about Edward's too young to be hanging around with psychopathic young bears? (Actually, is anyone old enough to hang around with people who are trying to kill them?) Why is all of this Edward's fault? Why does being assaulted make him "not ready"?

WTF?! What were they thinking publishing this one?

[Jj · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Not everyone is ready for the same things at the same time," said Edward's mother and father.

Can I get that printed on a banner and hang it up in the town square? I want everyone to know this crucial fact of life.

[Karly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I recommend this book to young readers! This book gave a great lesson for young readers! Children need to understand that everyone has a different life path and are ready for different things at different times.

[Leigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

A cute story about trying new things and operating within the comfort zone of others. Rosemary Wells and her charming illustrations cannot be beat.

[Layla · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lovely little books about a bear called Edward who has some great adventures. But is sometimes unsure of himself and can be shy.

[Re • · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was incredibly dumb but I also really liked it....almost

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute book about not always being ready for the same things your peers are ready for. Great for preschool story time.

[Abby Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOL Edward knows what he needs!

[Tessa]

Mixed feelings on this one. I like the message but how we get there is a little messed up

[Tiff · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a cute story and the illustrations are fabulous. I love how the “point of view” is from Edward’s view, lower down. Most of the time, you only see his parents shoes and lower parts; parts that he sees. Edward is so cute looking all lost and angelic with his water wings. The story is about how Edward goes to a swimming party with water wings. He felt more secure with them and even after they got squished out of air by two girls at the party, he still wanted a new pair of water wings. He was just so. That is how he is. He did not give in to please everyone else but rather stuck to what he felt comfortable with. I am mighty impressed and pleased with it. This book can be for children of all ages but especially for the beginning reader.

[Rosa Cline · Rating 3 out of 5]

Edward is getting ready to go to a swimming birthday party for one of his friends. He wants to wear his water wings although everyone else isn't wearing them. He just isn't ready to not be without them. He tries to have fun, but the birthday girl and another friend is teasing him about wearing the wings and they pop them and push him in the water. Luckily the lifeguard was there to get him out. The lifeguard calls his parents to come pick him up. He learns that not every child grows and I ready for changes the same as everyone else.

So although this book had the mean girls in it, it's a good one to share with your child that may not be ready to experience things others their age are. And it's okay...

[Kirsten · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the Edward the Unready books; there's something really comforting about a series of books that tells the reader: "Not everyone is ready for the same things at the same time."

[Brent · Rating 4 out of 5]

More good fun from Rosemary Wells - in Winter, we love to read about Summer - and swimming and water wings.

[Indah Threez Lestari · Rating 3 out of 5]

141 - 2016

[Shawn Deal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Edward has been invited to a swimming pool party, but he is not all that confident in his swimming skills, but that is alright.

[Coriander · Rating 3 out of 5]

Such a cute book with something really great to say!