Over or Under?

by Pip Harry

I'm jumping waves at the beach with Dad.If they're small I can leap over their frothy peaks.Easy!But further out, when they're big, you have to duck dive under.Maisie is learning about ocean swimming at the beach. The small waves are easy, but how will she know when to dive under the bigger ones? And will she be brave enough to try? Lucky Dad is there to help her.A beautiful picture book from acclaimed author Pip Harry and award-winning illustrator Hilary Jean Tapper.

Genres: Picture Books, Summer, Childrens

Kindle Edition

Published October 30, 2024

About the author

Pip Harry is an Australian children’s author and journalist. Her middle grade novel, The Little Wave, won the CBCA 2020 Book of the Year Award and the Speech Pathology Australia Book of the Year. It was shortlisted for the 2020 NSW Premier's Literary Awards – Ethel Turner Prize for Young People's Literature.

Her young adult novels include I’ll Tell You Mine, Head of the River, and Because of You, shortlisted for the CBCA Book of the Year Awards, Victorian Premier's Literary Award and Queensland Literary Awards.

Are You There, Buddha? is a 2022 CBCA Notable book and was nominated for the Ethel Turner prize.

Pip’s latest middle grade novel, August & Jones is out now.

Reviews

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

This week my two 7 and 8 year old granddaughters have spent several days at the beach, supported by their Dads, as they ventured for the first time beyond paddling at the water’s edge and learnt to ride the waves. It was wonderful then to share with them Pip Harry’s delightful picture book, “Over or Under?” which perfectly mirrors their experience and is typical of an Aussie childhood in summer.

In Pip Harry’s text, Maisie, guided by her Dad, learns to read the waves, deciding whether to experience the glorious moments of gliding "OVER" the glassy green waves or dive "UNDER " the bigger waves as they come crashing down towards her. Needless to stay there are moments of fear and failure when learning to master a new skill. Maisie is no exception here when she is unceremoniously "DUMPED" , swallowing mouthfuls of salt water and tumbling hard on the sandy ocean floor. For a time she retreats to the beach but with some encouragement from her Dad, Maisie eventually summons her courage to return and soon is enjoying success and the thrill of bodysurfing.

Pip Harry’s narrative is written in gentle, lyrical verse with whimsical imagery such as …

This wave is playful; like an excited puppy trying to lick my nose …. The next wave is a gruff barking stray that snarls and spits;

and

“I collect all my courage like shells in a bucket”

The illustrations accompanying the text by Hilary Jean Tapper are delightful too and perfectly capture the gamut of emotions experienced by Maisie. I particularly loved the endpapers featuring iconic beach scenes, with clever use of whitespace highlighting the simple pleasures also to be had on the sand.

A highly recommended picture book which admirably depicts developing a growth mindset - accepting challenges; ‘sticking power’ and the thrill of achievement when mastering new skills - be they mental or physical. It’s a joy to share during this wonderful Aussie summer holiday season.

[Jennie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maisie is on holidays at the beach with her family and dad is teaching her how to handle the waves as they come in - small ones to jump over and big ones that you dive under. When the first big waves Maisie is overwhelmed, can't make up her mind and is then dumped (exquisitely illustrated in a series of cameos). She opts out of swimming then until the last day.

This is a gentle story that features a caring and thoughtful dad who supports his daughter in facing up to fears. Dad's descriptions of the different types of waves and how to handle them is vividly explored in Hilary Jean Tappers wonderful watercolour illustrations that expand the descriptive and expressive language Pip Harry employs.

On the surface this is a simple story about a young girl learning to swim in the sea but by diving under the surface you discover a book about overcoming fear and resilience, exemplary parenting, infromation about waves and the beach as well as simple concepts of over and under. Text and illustrations work harmoniously in this engaging story.

CBCA 2025 Early Childhood Notable title.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

There are so many wonderful picture books dealing with fear of water and specifically of the ocean. Over or Under is about facing waves and how to duck under the big ones and how that can go terribly wrong. The story is a sensitive one with illustrations that emphasise the personal story and would allow the child reader to empathise with the main character. I liked the book but personally, there wasn't enough complexity or depth to make it stand out from other books on the same theme.

[The Book Squirrel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is about learning how to swim at the beach and go over or under the waves. The girl gets dumped but after a while Dad encourages her to try again and teaches her to body surf.

A good one for Australia - one of those "first experiences" books that help young children understand their world.

Miss 8 liked the "how to be safe" factual information at the end.

[Farrells Bookshop · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute book about being brave. A story about a family holiday at the beach and braving the waves.

Read by Juz

[Andy Hickman · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Over or Under?", by Pip Harry.
"I collect all my courage, like shells in a bucket."