Sink or Swim

by Valerie Coulman, Rogé (Illustrator)

Ralph the unstoppable cow tackles the new challenge of learning to swim with the same unsinkable optimism that got him off the ground in When Pigs Fly.
Ralph and his friend Morris are trying to beat the heat of a scorching hot summer's day. What better way to cool off than to go swimming? But wait, cows don't swim. Or do they? Well, not like ducks, or turtles, or frogs! Readers will laugh along with Ralph, and learn about optimism, resourcefulness, and positive thinking.

Genres: Picture Books, Animals, Sports, Storytime

32 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

About the author

Valerie Coulman's award-winning children's books include When Pigs Fly (Lobster Press, 2001), Sink or Swim (Lobster Press, 2003), and I am a Ballerina (Lobster Press, 2004). This Saskatchewan native has degrees in both linguistics and theology, and now works from her studio in Southern Oregon as a freelance writer, artist and minivan driver. Valerie is a member of both SCBWI and CPSA (Colored Pencil Society of America).

Reviews

[Kaylyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a delightfully fun book enjoyed by all kids. I took the time to read this story about Cows learning how to swim on a hot day to a kindergarten class and they couldn't stop giggling and asking questions. At the end of our reading we had an open discussion about perseverance and how reading this story showed us how even if we can't learn something the first time, we should never give up and always look at the positive side of any situation.

[Deborah · Rating 4 out of 5]

A delightful story about a cow who wants to learn to swim, despite the other animals and his best friend insisting he wont be able to. A great moral story about having a goal, determination, and not giving up.

[Karan Johnstone · Rating 3 out of 5]

I will be using this book to teach kindergarteners in my STEM class the concept of sinking or swimming.

[Anne Washington · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cute little book. Hopefully it will help a child go for what they want and not to allow obstacles stop them.

[Jo ☾ · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a follow up to When Pigs Fly by Valerie Coulman and it was cute but not nearly as good. The illustrations by Rogé are still just as wonderful though.

Ralph the cow is back and this time he wants to learn how to swim but despite everyone telling him that cows can't swim, he perseveres until eventually, he learns how to stay afloat.

[Megan MacDonald · Rating 4 out of 5]

A silly story with a good moral as well! Ralph the cow will not give up on learning how to swim, and he is helped by all other animals in the pond. This story can be used to teach students to never give up, as well as a silly story about animals talking and swimming. I would recommend this story for young to middle elementary aged children as a good read for a fun, easy read aloud. In the end, Ralph finds something for him to help him swim rather than sink!

[Dylan & Belle at LearnPlayFun · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is about cows, not just any ordinary cows, cows that want to swim! Well, just one cow, I'm afraid. I'm hoping it doesn't foil your excitement, though. Okay, back to the book. And one cow keeps on trying and trying and trying. Well, you get the point, right? And then the one cow goes surfing. Do you think cows can surf? I think so.

My favorite part is the one where the cow surfed (well, you remember, right?)

Rated and reviewed by Dylan, age 8.

[Meilina · Rating 4 out of 5]

it's a story of Ralph and Morris-the cows that do really want to swim as watching the ducks family splash in the pond to cool off on a hot day. Ralph assured Morris that they could learn to swim..so he asked the duck, turtle and frog to teach how to swim. It's a nice story for children for not giving up easily in pursuing something good ;)

[Dolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a funny story about a cow who wants to swim. Similar to the story of the cow who wanted to ride a bicycle, "When Pigs Fly," it shows the importance of determination, persistence and hard work. Our girls enjoyed watching this book read aloud on the "Tumblebooks" online audiobook site (tumblebooks.com)

[Andrea Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute book that teaches persistence and that anything is possible if you try hard enough. With a little help, the cows learn how to swim, a feat that can be relatable to many children. Overall a great storybook with quaint illustrations.

[Shelley · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't love this book. But I did love that the cow didn't care what others thought and went ahead and try to do something the others said he couldn't.

It wasn't super helpful for me trying to help my kids learn to swim per se, but they saw his determination...so that helped I guess.

[Lindsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

water/swimming, animals - cows,ducks, turtles, frogs

[Michele · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cows, in an effort to cool off on a hot day, learn to swim. They pick up some tips from ducks, a turtle, a frog and Bob from the swim shop.

[Jessie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book for showing that we can do anything we set our mind too, even if everyone tells us that we can't. It is a fun little book to read to kids.

[Q_Ayana · Rating 2 out of 5]

Viewed on Tumblebooks.com.