And I recommend it, too, for siblings who are learning to read and may wonder what their brother or sister gets up to when they are at school. In fact, it makes a nice step-up from a board book, which is good since Zeki Can Swim! not only makes a perfect baby book, but will also be loved by older pre-schoolers. I love the squareness of the book and its baby-friendly rounded corners.
The language is simple (but not overly simple), with one sentence to a page – and some onomatopoeia that invites even very young children to participate. I’d be hard-pressed to choose a favourite illustration, but perhaps this is it (although I know I’m biased when it comes to books!). And then there’s the narrative, which begins the night before the lesson, with Zeki enjoying his bath and a bed-time story. The book exudes a sense of security and bonding – and it’s not just at the swimming pool. All the babies are smiley – as, in fact, are their parents. There is the immediate impact of the illustrations: Zeki is adorable.
There is a finely-tuned attention to detail in the book’s production that makes it very special. Safe within his father’s arms, he clearly loves the water, splashing and playing alongside all the babies with their mums or dads. Zeki is off to his baby swimming class with his Daddy. ( Alanna Books, 2017 published in the US as Leo Can Swim by Charlesbridge Publishing, 2016) Written by Anna McQuinn, illustrated by Ruth Hearson
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