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Ellie the Wienerdog #2
It's Hard to Swim
Ellie the Wienerdog is back!
In Life’s Little Lesson #2, It’s Hard to Swim, readers are reunited with their favorite wiener dog as she is about to abruptly get her paws wet.
Romping on dry ground and chasing a ball are the activities Ellie believes dogs are built to do. However, one day as she is enjoying her canine fun, she chases her ball onto a dock and then finds herself cornered by her “people” who think it would be a good idea for her to take a little dip.
The drama builds as her mind goes into over drive imagining all the terrifying possibilities that could await her below the surface of the water.
Will she sink? Will she end up as dinner for a hungry shark or a monster fish? Or will she overcome her fear and discover all the fun that comes with trying something new? Her future hangs at the end of a dock with very dark water below . . .
Swim is a year-round Summer Fun read! Kids will love searching for all the hidden treasures in the vibrant, whimsical illustrations and grown-ups will love the timeless lesson that is shared through Ellie’s humorous tale.
The team of K.J. Hales and Serene Wyatt have done it again – thanks to the inspiration from Ellie the Wienerdog.
In Life’s Little Lesson #2, It’s Hard to Swim, readers are reunited with their favorite wiener dog as she is about to abruptly get her paws wet.
Romping on dry ground and chasing a ball are the activities Ellie believes dogs are built to do. However, one day as she is enjoying her canine fun, she chases her ball onto a dock and then finds herself cornered by her “people” who think it would be a good idea for her to take a little dip.
The drama builds as her mind goes into over drive imagining all the terrifying possibilities that could await her below the surface of the water.
Will she sink? Will she end up as dinner for a hungry shark or a monster fish? Or will she overcome her fear and discover all the fun that comes with trying something new? Her future hangs at the end of a dock with very dark water below . . .
Swim is a year-round Summer Fun read! Kids will love searching for all the hidden treasures in the vibrant, whimsical illustrations and grown-ups will love the timeless lesson that is shared through Ellie’s humorous tale.
The team of K.J. Hales and Serene Wyatt have done it again – thanks to the inspiration from Ellie the Wienerdog.
36 pages, Hardcover
Published June 6, 2017
625 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
November 30, 2017
I won this book in a goodreads drawing.
A great children's book about a weiner dog that is afraid, but still learns to swim.
Great for kids unsure of swimming.
A great children's book about a weiner dog that is afraid, but still learns to swim.
Great for kids unsure of swimming.
June 15, 2017
Another cute book in the Ellie the Wienerdog series! Fun life lessons taught to children by a fun and lovable pup!
Not only is it hard to be good but, heavens, it's hard to swim! Ellie is happily playing along and comes to the end of the dock...NOPE not gonna go in the water! Until she gets a little surprise and realizes that with a little practice and help she can do it and have fun!
Again, lots of great illustrations and rhyming prose. I loved all the illustrations with Ellie in the water and with the other water creatures. The ending was pretty cute too, Ellie gets to share her learning with others!
I don't know about you but we've had dogs who have reacted both positively and negatively with regards to water. We love camping and are constantly at the lake fishing during the summer and one dog LOVED being in the water, she'd dive out in it and swim and have a blast. But our dog that we have now is a little adverse to the water. She really wants the stick at the edge of the water and does this bunny hop thing to get to it and come bounding out as soon as she gets her stick. The first time we saw it(and each subsequent time) we laughed until our sides hurt! I couldn't help but think about those memories while reading this cute story!
My family and I are really enjoying this series and will keep watching for more!
Definitely a fun series that I recommend for families with children and of course families with dogs (or even those without).
I received a copy from the publisher, Greenleaf Book Group, via Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.
Happy Reading!!!
Not only is it hard to be good but, heavens, it's hard to swim! Ellie is happily playing along and comes to the end of the dock...NOPE not gonna go in the water! Until she gets a little surprise and realizes that with a little practice and help she can do it and have fun!
Again, lots of great illustrations and rhyming prose. I loved all the illustrations with Ellie in the water and with the other water creatures. The ending was pretty cute too, Ellie gets to share her learning with others!
I don't know about you but we've had dogs who have reacted both positively and negatively with regards to water. We love camping and are constantly at the lake fishing during the summer and one dog LOVED being in the water, she'd dive out in it and swim and have a blast. But our dog that we have now is a little adverse to the water. She really wants the stick at the edge of the water and does this bunny hop thing to get to it and come bounding out as soon as she gets her stick. The first time we saw it(and each subsequent time) we laughed until our sides hurt! I couldn't help but think about those memories while reading this cute story!
My family and I are really enjoying this series and will keep watching for more!
Definitely a fun series that I recommend for families with children and of course families with dogs (or even those without).
I received a copy from the publisher, Greenleaf Book Group, via Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.
Happy Reading!!!
April 10, 2018
The second in the Ellie the Wienerdog series, this is a delightful tale with vivid illustrations that are full of joy and fun. My wee two-year-old really enjoyed us reading it aloud. This time Ellie is not keen on the water, and worries what might happen if she falls in. What ferocious creatures of the deep might she encounter.
We enjoyed the first Ellie story, but I think this one steps up a notch. The rhyming verse is a wee bit better, with a good rhythm and plenty of fun in the story. The illustrations are full of action and colour, and really bring the story to life and give it a feeling of movement, not just static pictures.
A fun wee story that I think will be re-readable over and over, and bolsters a promising series.
We enjoyed the first Ellie story, but I think this one steps up a notch. The rhyming verse is a wee bit better, with a good rhythm and plenty of fun in the story. The illustrations are full of action and colour, and really bring the story to life and give it a feeling of movement, not just static pictures.
A fun wee story that I think will be re-readable over and over, and bolsters a promising series.
June 13, 2017
Parents beware, this book shows all sorts of scary things in the water that bite and can eat you, but it doesn't resolve anything with showing cute friendly fish in the water after the dog starts swimming. In fact, it shows another image of those same dangerous fish in the water at the end of the story. The shark is smiling, but it's still a shark in what appears to be a lake which makes no sense. So, be prepared for kids who will be afraid to go into the water if you read this book to them. It seems strange a children's picture book editor let this pass.
I was approved for an eARC, via Netgalley, in return for an honest review.
I was approved for an eARC, via Netgalley, in return for an honest review.
June 21, 2017
I love books that can incorporate rhyming into the story. This little tale is funny and fun to read, particularly aloud. Of course, the book has its little lesson about encouraging kids to try new things because what other way can we discover new ways to enjoy life. So, the book is a little treasure that teachers can actually use for light discussion over a topic that may be a little difficult for young kids as some of them do not want to try out new food, new activities, new books, etc. I also like that the book is deep in thought, but it is not overwhelming in detail; readers can connect to it through different levels and still have a good time reading it. Great book!
September 9, 2017
A very cute book about facing your fears, how we tend to build up the fear in our head and how, if we give something a try, we may be surprised at how great it actually is.
October 5, 2017
I won this on Goodreads Giveaways. It is an adorable book about a Weiner dog who is afraid to try to swim. I read it with my 5 year old son. He was engaged with every page. I loved the rhyming words. The pictures really added to the story. This is soon to be a family favorite!!
October 4, 2017
Cute kiddie book with colorful, lively illustrations. My tiny niece loved listening to it and looking at the pictures of the doggie and fishies.
Received this as a Giveaway. Thank you! I gave it to my sweet baby niece who’s Daddy is a fisherman.
Received this as a Giveaway. Thank you! I gave it to my sweet baby niece who’s Daddy is a fisherman.
September 29, 2017
This is such a cute little children's book, and the best part? It has a clever play on words, and my kid loves pointing at the dog on every page.
September 20, 2017
Two thumbs up for this book! What a spectacular little tale to read to your young one or for first readers! Brilliant pictures that are fun and engaging! A must have for any child's little library!
Thank you to the author and Ellie for this lovely book! Won on a Goodreads.com giveaway. I will be putting this in the mail today to share with my cousin, who is a Weiner dog owner, she will love reading this to her grandchildren!
Thank you to the author and Ellie for this lovely book! Won on a Goodreads.com giveaway. I will be putting this in the mail today to share with my cousin, who is a Weiner dog owner, she will love reading this to her grandchildren!
September 20, 2017
Other reviewers have explained what this books is about, so I just wanted to mention how nice the illustrations are. This book is filled with bright, beautiful pages that feature a cute little wiener dog. I was lucky enough to win this book in a Goodreads giveaway, so a big thank you to the author for having Ellie the wiener dog pawtographed it. My 4 year old daughter loves the book, and can't wait to take it to show and tell.
September 21, 2017
This book came to me through Goodreads Giveaway. My grandsons who just turned 4 & 7 years old fell in love with Ellie. She is a dog that is funny and has a great imagination. This is the 2nd of the series, so it's a given that we will be getting the 1st in the series too!
April 19, 2017
It’s Hard to Swim is a cute little children’s book with wonderfully cute illustrations. It is the story of Ellie the Wienerdog, who starts out talking about how she can’t swim because she has fur and does not have flippers and fins, etc.
Someone puts a life jacket on her and puts her into the water. Here is where we have a problem. Ellie goes through a series of thoughts about not being able to be found, spooky creatures, and more.
We feel that, unless your child is already a swimmer and very familiar with the water and swimming, this might not be the book for your child.
The story turns out all right. Ellie is thinking about possibly teaching fish to sit. This is good, but we are concerned with the apprehension that might be stirred up in a child because of Ellie’s fears.
The story is cute and the illustrations are great. We give this book three stars. We caution parents to be careful with children who might be sensitive to Ellie’s fears and might not be able to see that the outcome of the book is positive.
Someone puts a life jacket on her and puts her into the water. Here is where we have a problem. Ellie goes through a series of thoughts about not being able to be found, spooky creatures, and more.
We feel that, unless your child is already a swimmer and very familiar with the water and swimming, this might not be the book for your child.
The story turns out all right. Ellie is thinking about possibly teaching fish to sit. This is good, but we are concerned with the apprehension that might be stirred up in a child because of Ellie’s fears.
The story is cute and the illustrations are great. We give this book three stars. We caution parents to be careful with children who might be sensitive to Ellie’s fears and might not be able to see that the outcome of the book is positive.
November 1, 2017
"It's Hard to Swim" is the second installment in Ellie's Little Lessons series and we absolutely loved the tail (pun intended).
I read it to my nephew (5 years old) and son (9 months old). It was easy and fun for my nephew to read along with me and understand the intended lesson. The story had a lovely melodic rhyme and the illustrations were vivid and imaginative. We are excited to take another adventure with Ellie.
I'd also like to comment on other reviews of the sea life being scary with no resolution. I disagree with this stance. When Ellie is afraid of trying something new (swimming) the sea life is imagined scary; however, when she learns she can do it and it is fun she imagines the same sea life as a captive and fun audience for her to teach them something new... very easy to explain to your little one in my opinion.
*Note: I received "It's Hard to Swim" through GoodReads FirstReads in return for my honest review.
I read it to my nephew (5 years old) and son (9 months old). It was easy and fun for my nephew to read along with me and understand the intended lesson. The story had a lovely melodic rhyme and the illustrations were vivid and imaginative. We are excited to take another adventure with Ellie.
I'd also like to comment on other reviews of the sea life being scary with no resolution. I disagree with this stance. When Ellie is afraid of trying something new (swimming) the sea life is imagined scary; however, when she learns she can do it and it is fun she imagines the same sea life as a captive and fun audience for her to teach them something new... very easy to explain to your little one in my opinion.
*Note: I received "It's Hard to Swim" through GoodReads FirstReads in return for my honest review.
August 28, 2017
I loved the book ! Neighborhood children loved the story too!!Its illustrated so nice and colorful but the best of all is it acknowledges the fears a child (or Ellie the Weinerdog)have in the water and the enthuisiasim they get when Ellie sees she can learn to swim!!If After she learned to swim Ellie was so full of confidence that not only could she learn new things but she could teach ocean fish and sharks to sit and do things new also .
September 4, 2017
I loved Ellie! She's funny, cute and brave. She's real and witty and her message is one of self confidence. I wouldn't hesitate to read this to a child.
It can be very hard to swim, and more so when your a long bodied dog breed. You have to read this to see what happens on Ellie's adventure as she is watched over by her family.
My copy came from Net Galley. My thoughts and opinions are my own. This review is left of my own free volition.
It can be very hard to swim, and more so when your a long bodied dog breed. You have to read this to see what happens on Ellie's adventure as she is watched over by her family.
My copy came from Net Galley. My thoughts and opinions are my own. This review is left of my own free volition.
August 20, 2017
I received a copy of this book through a Goodreads giveaway. My grandson is pre-verbal, but we enjoyed this book together nonetheless! Rhyming text is fun and the illustrations gave us lots to look at and for me to talk about. I look forward to reading this over and over again as we grow together with books!
August 8, 2017
OH MY!!! The pictures in this book are fantastic!! The plot wonderful for kids. This book I will let my nieces and nephews BURROW BUT I want back. Its going in my keep pile!!
August 24, 2017
Adorable rhyming story encouraging children not to be afraid of trying something new. Love the illustrations.
August 26, 2017
I received this book from Goodreads First Reads in exchange for an honest review...
A fantastic, charming book that is beautifully written and great illustration. My daughter absolutely loves it!
A fantastic, charming book that is beautifully written and great illustration. My daughter absolutely loves it!
September 9, 2017
This book is adorable with wonderful illustrations. I'll be placing it in our children's little free library and know it will disappear quickly.
June 28, 2017
Ellie, our favorite dachshund, is back in her second book. This time around she tells us that it is hard to swim because she is meant to be on dry land. The first page shows her underwater with her cheeks puffed out from holding her breath. She lists all the things she doesn't have such as fins and scales, and we see her being sent aloft on the plume of water from a whale's blowhole. But all of this is just to let us know what is coming. Her human approaches with a doggie life vest and Ellie leans against the dock with her paw to her forehead like a classic damsel in distress. She imagine that she might simply sink and no one will ever be able to find her. The creatures she pictures in this calm little body of water include fierce looking fish, a seahorse with fangs, a shark with a dinner table and napkin just waiting for a meal, even a fish with a fork. As her human lowers her toward the water she holds her paws to her chattering teeth, then calls out, "GOODBYE! I'm going in !" (Talk about drama.) Soon she is trying out different strokes across and even under the water and having a good time, while smiling fish watch.
Even though Ellie is a dog and not a child, it is still easy to learn from her example. She builds up so many possible dangers in her imagination, then finds out how much fun swimming can be. At the end of the day she is wagging her tail and saying that "if you give it a try, you can do anything you wish!" Those fish that she was so afraid would eat her are now smiling and holding up score cards like Olympic judges to praise her swimming. She even decides that since she learned to swim, maybe she can teach the fish to sit. The scene of Miss Ellie's classroom with the puffer fish upside down, the shark with a bite missing from its desk, and the goldfish beaming as it perches on a chair in its fishbowl helps young readers imagine what would happen if the fish could come onto land to learn a new skill.
Although this story shows Ellie learning to swim, the lesson could easily apply to any new situation that is making someone nervous. She shows that things are not nearly as bad as we imagine them to be, and that once you give something a try you usually find it to be much easier than you thought.
I read an e-book provided by the publisher through NetGalley.
Even though Ellie is a dog and not a child, it is still easy to learn from her example. She builds up so many possible dangers in her imagination, then finds out how much fun swimming can be. At the end of the day she is wagging her tail and saying that "if you give it a try, you can do anything you wish!" Those fish that she was so afraid would eat her are now smiling and holding up score cards like Olympic judges to praise her swimming. She even decides that since she learned to swim, maybe she can teach the fish to sit. The scene of Miss Ellie's classroom with the puffer fish upside down, the shark with a bite missing from its desk, and the goldfish beaming as it perches on a chair in its fishbowl helps young readers imagine what would happen if the fish could come onto land to learn a new skill.
Although this story shows Ellie learning to swim, the lesson could easily apply to any new situation that is making someone nervous. She shows that things are not nearly as bad as we imagine them to be, and that once you give something a try you usually find it to be much easier than you thought.
I read an e-book provided by the publisher through NetGalley.
June 8, 2017
It's Hard to Swim is about Ellie the Wienerdog who is afraid of swimming. He wants to stay on solid land as he does not have gills and can not breathe under water. When her owners present her with a doggie life jacket she is still not sure, but when she is dropped in the water, it is either sink or swim. Because the life jacket keeps her afloat, Ellie learns to swim and has fun too. The illustrations are a hoot. They are cartoonish, colourful and show Ellie's dramatic side, including the scary world under the water. As Ellie learns that she can swim, she gains confidence. My grandson loved this story. He is taking swimming lessons so could relate to the story, especially the fear of sinking. This is a great story for toddlers and primary students who are trying to learn something new. It will teach them about overcoming fears, becoming confident and trusting their parents. A good book for family, class and school libraries. The publisher provided me with a copy of this book via Netgalley.
August 6, 2017
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We received this book via NetGalley to give an honest review.
We are introduced to Ellie who is scared to swim and she learns that it isn't too hard to do in a life jacket and that she is safe. Though she voices her fears of being a delicious treat to what is below. A and I had a good time laughing as Ellie learned there was nothing bad about being in the water.
I did like how we are shown the different fears that Ellie has imagined in her mind yet there is really nothing to be afraid of. We do that as humans as well, we overthink things and sometimes there is nothing to be scared of. It did really open up a discussion for me to explain to A about being scared and how to overcome being scared.
I would suggest that the publisher or author check out the formatting as reading on the kindle some words were jumbled together. Also I felt that there was no need to repeat some of the words on the pages. As far as pictures went they were very bright and went well with the story being told.
We received this book via NetGalley to give an honest review.
We are introduced to Ellie who is scared to swim and she learns that it isn't too hard to do in a life jacket and that she is safe. Though she voices her fears of being a delicious treat to what is below. A and I had a good time laughing as Ellie learned there was nothing bad about being in the water.
I did like how we are shown the different fears that Ellie has imagined in her mind yet there is really nothing to be afraid of. We do that as humans as well, we overthink things and sometimes there is nothing to be scared of. It did really open up a discussion for me to explain to A about being scared and how to overcome being scared.
I would suggest that the publisher or author check out the formatting as reading on the kindle some words were jumbled together. Also I felt that there was no need to repeat some of the words on the pages. As far as pictures went they were very bright and went well with the story being told.
June 16, 2017
It's Hard to Swim (Ellie the Wienerdog series): Life's Little Lessons by Ellie the Wienerdog - Lesson #2 by K.J. Hales is a fun to read story for children ages three to five. Like Lesson 1, It's Hard to Be Good, it is charmingly illustrated by Serene Wyatt.
Ellie imagines all sorts of fears when her "people" think she should swim. There are too many frightening possibilities beneath the surface of the water.
This book is good for parents and grandparents to read aloud and a great addition to any library. It is a fun book to read and I gave it five stars.
I received a complimentary Kindle copy from Greenleaf Book Group, Open Door Press, Inc. and NetGalley. That did not change my opinion for this review.
Link to purchase: https://www.amazon.com/Its-Hard-Swim-...
Ellie imagines all sorts of fears when her "people" think she should swim. There are too many frightening possibilities beneath the surface of the water.
This book is good for parents and grandparents to read aloud and a great addition to any library. It is a fun book to read and I gave it five stars.
I received a complimentary Kindle copy from Greenleaf Book Group, Open Door Press, Inc. and NetGalley. That did not change my opinion for this review.
Link to purchase: https://www.amazon.com/Its-Hard-Swim-...
May 30, 2017
I received an electronic copy of this book from Netgalley in return for an honest review. It's Hard to Swim is about Ellie the Wienerdog who must confront her fears about swimming when her owners present her with a doggie life jacket. Ellie is a bit of a drama queen and has a very vivid imagination about all the dangers that could lurk under the water. The illustrations in this book are great, especially those of the spooky undersea creatures. Ellie learns that she can swim and, as she gains confidence, learns to love it. My six year-old really enjoyed this book and could really relate to Ellie. I could see some small toddlers being afraid of the scary underwater creatures but most senior preschool and early elementary kids will think they are fun.
December 6, 2017
This was the first Ellie the Wienerdog book that I've read, and while my 3 year old son does still pick it up from time to time, it is not a favorite of either of us. The illustrations are full-page, bright, and colorful, and are the best part of the book (despite that some of the fish characters might be frightening for a young child). However, the rhyming prose does not have rhythm and is not very interesting or fun. My son doesn't love the water, so I thought this might be a good book to help him get over that; but the lesson of the book is basically "Just do it, even if you have to be thrown in and it's terrifying. You'll get over it." At least it's not too long, which makes it pretty easy to get through.
*I received this book for free through a Goodreads FirstReads giveaway
*I received this book for free through a Goodreads FirstReads giveaway
June 13, 2017
Ellie the Wienerdog is adorably cute. In this second book of the series, Ellie finds herself with the precarious problem of learning how to swim. She is convinced she is going to sink, or possibly be eaten by the sea creatures that lurk under the waves.
In the end she discovers she can swim. She loves swimming!
This well-written children's book is fun and teaches children that new things are worth trying. Especially if you are convinced you cannot do it!
The illustrations are fantastic. Bright, colorful and perfectly compliment the story. This series is a great addition to a child's library to enjoy over and over again.
In the end she discovers she can swim. She loves swimming!
This well-written children's book is fun and teaches children that new things are worth trying. Especially if you are convinced you cannot do it!
The illustrations are fantastic. Bright, colorful and perfectly compliment the story. This series is a great addition to a child's library to enjoy over and over again.
June 8, 2017
I loved how bright and colorful this story is particularly how the illustrator makes the pictures come to life as if they’re full of action instead of just sitting on the page; you almost feel as if Ellie is actually swimming in the water, walking on the landing, etc. The darling story it tells about facing your fears, with lilting rhymed sentences, is perfect for us because I have a young daughter who is afraid of swimming so reading her a story about someone else being scared and how they got over it plus found some amazing adventures in the process has made her want to try swimming again.
June 18, 2017
This is such a nice book and my five year old is smitten with it. My son loves wiener-dogs, he has a stuffed one, that has to go everywhere he goes too, so it's no wonder he took to Ellie, but she's just soo cute! Also he doesn't speak English (we're from Austria) and I had to translate the text for him the first time we read it, but he also likes me to read it to him in English because he likes the rhyme and the rhythm of it. And he's even contemplating to learn to swim, although he is quite as feared of water as Ellie is at first.
Got an ARC from netgalley
Got an ARC from netgalley
Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews