Splash!: Ethelda Bleibtrey Makes Waves of Change

by Elisa Boxer, Elizabeth Baddeley (Illustrator)

Ethelda Bleibtrey was a girl with guts who loved the water. As a child with polio in the early 1900s, swimming set her free. The water released her from her pain and helped her build strong muscle--and a powerful spirit. From then on, from the New York beaches to the choppy waters of the 1920 Olympics to the Central Park Reservoir, Ethelda made a splash wherever she went. For Ethelda, doing the right thing sometimes came with a price--change often does--but Ethelda helped make the world better than how she found it. Splash!

Genres: Picture Books, Biography, Nonfiction, Sports, History, Disability, Childrens

32 pages, Hardcover

First published August 15, 2022

Reviews

[Liza Wiemer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was deeply touched by the activism in this beautiful picture book. Ethelda Bleibtrey is a heroine I bet most of us have never heard of, which makes this book even more critical. Suffering from polio, Ethelda finds freedom in water. In turn, she makes waves, removing her knee-highs and refusing to swim with them on. This deems her indecent. Welcome to America in the 1900s. But she used her voice for change and many women followed in her footsteps. She used her own struggles to help children with polio. I dare you not to tear up.

Highly recommend this Junior Library Guild Gold Standard picture book!

[Carrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this picture book biography and let me tell you--I fell in love with Ethelda's story.

Even though polio threatened to sideline her when she was just a child, Ethelda found her way back into the world through swimming. But she didn't stop at swimming her way to Olympic gold medals. This is not so much a story about a girl overcoming a disability, as that of a woman overcoming obstacles the world placed in her way due to her gender.

Don't get me wrong--it is *not* a heavy book to read. The text is light and the illustrations joyous---just the right tone for a book aimed at kids.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although I've read other picture books about women swimmers, I'm embarrassed to admit that I had never heard of Ethelda Bleibtrey, who won three gold medals during the 1920 Olympics. And I certainly should have, given her accomplishments and interesting back story. Still, Eliza Boxer's well-written and empathetic biography about her remedied that lack. I often tell my college students that I learn a great deal that I know about history and important historical figures from children's literature, and that's certainly the case here. Weakened by polio as a young girl, Bleibtrey began swimming after a doctor's suggestion that she do so, finding that her body didn't ache as much in the world, and that swimming made her stronger. She proceeded to work toward changes, flouting the law requiring women to wear socks to cover their legs while swimming and to endure having the length of their bathing suits measured by police. Later, she brought attention to the Central Park Reservoir's potential as a public pool. In between, of course, she swam in a muddy river on her way to gold. In her later career as a nurse, swimming was always a part of her own free time as well as a source of pleasure, healing, and empowerment for her young charges. More than once, the text mentions swimming and the water as home, a place of healing, freeing, peacefulness. But the author's use of the word "power" also speaks to the empowerment this woman felt in the water, a feeling that followed her on land and enabled her to challenge the social norms of the time. Even though this is not easy subject matter, the text and movement-filled illustrations makes the story fun, engaging, and inspiring. Archival photos and additional information about this amazing woman who certainly made a splash in her world can be found in the back matter. Youngsters, especially swimmers, will marvel at how much the sport and swimwear have changed. Imagine having to swim with socks covering one's lower limbs! Add this one to a collection devoted to feminism, empowerment or groundbreakers.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

My girls find that they are especially grateful that they don't have to wear socks when swimming

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Can you imagine extreme painful physical suffering as a child and having the opportunity to have brief respites from it while swimming in a pool? “It felt like flying. It felt like freedom. It felt like home.” Olympic swimmer Ethelda Bleibtrey overcame the odds of her disability and used it to help other children in similar situations in the early 1900s. And she also stood up against the ridiculous rule of women having to swim with socks on, which I had never heard of before. Perfect picture book to inspire children to reach high above their circumstances.

[Melanie Dulaney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Inspiring picture book biography on change maker Ethelda Bleibtrey, a fighter for the rights of women who is likely not well known, but should be.

Recovering from polio in the early 1900s was a long, slow process that often did not end with a return to full strength and health. Ethelda’s doctor recommended swimming to strengthen her body and in the pool, she found not only health, but a home full of peace and freedom. Author Elisa Boxer uses a refrain reflecting this feeling of being lifted, strengthened and fully alive several times throughout her retelling of Ethelda’s life and achievements in a satisfying and effective way. Swimming not only renews her strength but gives her purpose. First step-forcing a change in constricting swimwear required for women by removing her swim stocking and starting a heated discussion about the differences for men and women. Next, Ethelda wins all 3 women’s swimming events in the 1920 Olympics opening the sport to more option in future Olympics despite the feeling of some that women should be crowning victors and training their sons to compete rather than participating themselves! In addition to these two significant accomplishments, Ethelda made a bold move to demonstrate the lack of swimming facilities in New York City resulting in the city’s first large public swimming pool.

Excellent choice for biography collections serving grades 1-4.

[Kathy Temean · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is so much to love about Elisa's picture book. First, Elisa brings us a story of a young girl in the early 1900's who is struggling to walk after having Polio. Her Doctor tells her swimming might help. She doesn't see how she can swim when she can hardly walk. I love how you repeated the refrain of: "The water held her. Lifted her up. Carried her. If felt like flying. It felt like Freedom. It felt like home." I'm sure kids will enjoy that, too.

I love how Ethelda scandalized everyone by taking off her socks to swim and got arrested. That reminded me of women taking off their bras in the 70's and getting arrested. I love that you found a little known noteworthy woman who was the first American female to win an Olympic Gold Medal in the 1920 Olympics, then goes on to set three world swimming records and walks away with three Gold Medals. Everyone, will need to read the book to joy the other things Ethelda does, but I love that later in life she becomes and nurse and helps children to over come ailments with water therapy. She definitely, is a great role model for children. 

Then Elizabeth comes along and creates such wonderful illustrations that you feel like you're taking every stroke with Ethelda on the pages. The illustrations are the icing on the cake. Beatiful book all around.

[Elayne Crain · Rating 5 out of 5]

I never knew of Ethelda Bleibtrey until reading this interesting picture book biography! After being stricken with polio as a kid in the early 1900s and being prescribed swimming to build up her muscle, Ethelda found it a pain-free way to channel her power in more ways than one. At age 17, Ethelda successfully challenged the NY laws that said women had to wear long socks in the water with their bathing gowns--getting arrested while doing so. She then became the first American woman to win a gold medal in swimming when she won three gold medals (and set three world records!) in the 1920 Olympics. Next, she used her Olympic champion platform to push for the construction of NYC's first large public swimming pool (again getting arrested, but ultimately succeeding). Later still, she became a nurse, where she helped children rehab their limbs with swim therapy.

A super interesting biography of an American swimmer who used her sport to break barriers.

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was good. I am glad the illustrations included people of color but I do wish there was some mention of if Ethelda's breaking barriers like changing the law about swimming socks were equally beneficial to women who were not white. Also was the first city pool open to all? That said prety thorough backmatter with selected sources, a note about the conversations included being fictional but grounded in research, and a full two page spread with more about Ethelda and three photos of her. Plus some contextualizing about how the author connected to the story.

[Suebee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly recommend for school library purchase.

I am always on the lookout for good picture book biographies that are not too wordy but allow the important achievements of a person's life to shine through their life story. I am a big fan of David Adler's "Luckiest Man" biography of Lou Gehrig, and "Wilma Unlimited" about Wilma Rudolph by Kathleen Krull.

This book about Ethelda Bleibtrey, who defeated polio in the 1940s to become an Olympic champion swimmer, belongs on the shelf next to the above best picture book biographies. Great for class read-aloud and discussion.

[Tatym Medina-Cole · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is awesome. Not only does it tell the true story of 3 time olympic gold medalist Ethelda Bleibtrey's use of swimming to manage polio symptoms, but it also tells a story of women's suffrage. I originally chose this book simply because of its depiction of a disability, but this story has so much more to it. I loved learning about Ethelda, and I think other students would as well.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5
I loved meeting this extraordinary woman and reading about her many accomplishments. Not only was she an Olympian swimmer but she challenged some of the norms of her day and made swimming a more enjoyable and accessible sport to women. The book moves quickly and just touches lightly on each of these accomplishments. I'd love to research and learn a little more in-depth info about her.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fascinating story about a woman who was way ahead of her time. I had no idea that women had to wear swim socks and that police officers would measure the length of women’s swim skirts and they could be arrested for showing too much skin. How ridiculous! Ethelda’s story was so jnspiring and I’m glad it was made into a children’s biography.

[Jimmy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This brief biography that I found in the children's section of the library was eye-opening. Ethelda flaunts the cultural rules of the early 20th century by not wearing socks with her bathing suit. That is only the first time she steps out of her "place" as a woman. Lots of fun facts. Pictures are great, too.

[Carol Gordon Ekster · Rating 5 out of 5]

An inspirational story of an unsung hero with polio who finds freedom and healing in swimming. It is so very beautifully written with lots of swimming terms and verbs splashed in. Lovely illustrations as well. A terrific picture book biography!

[Jenna · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 ⭐️. loved all of the colors in the book and how important of a story it is. ethelda wanted to change the world, and she did. she did a lot of great things with her life and i'm happy elisa boxer chose to highlight such an amazing woman.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ethelda Bleibtry is a role model for women and those with chronic illness. I highly recommend this book for home and school libraries.

[Samantha Dospod · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book to discuss the ability to change injustices in the world simply by living life or leading by example. It's a great book to spur conversations with minds young and old.

[Jacqui · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Swimsuit Police! :-)

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars
Fascinating history of a changemaker and Olympian you never heard about in school!

[Pam]

When you have to read a book about an Olympian, a fact-filled picture book is the way to go! This was great. And I never knew that women had to wear socks to swim! Glad Ethelda changed that rule!