Sergio Makes a Splash by Edel Rodriguez

Sergio Makes a Splash by Edel Rodriguez
Reading level: Ages 4-8
Hardcover: 40 pages
Publisher: Little, Brown Young Readers (May 1, 2008)
ISBN-10: 0316066168
ISBN-13: 978-0316066167
Source of book: Review copy from publisher



In this adorable picture book, the title character, Sergio, a young penguin has a serious dilemma. He LOVES water--ice, baths, rain, puddles--but he doesn't love the "very deep kind." Why? Because he can't swim. Yep, that's right. Sergio is a penguin who can't swim. When his class goes on a field trip to the ocean, he is naturally frightened. But can a little encouragement from his teacher and classmates plus arm floaties, a snorkel, and life preserver give him the courage to jump in?

Edel Rodriguez's oil-based woodblock ink and digital media illustrations are fun and charming, and children will be drawn in by the bright aqua blue of the ocean that is the background throughout the book. And seriously...who can resist a penguin with arm and ankle floaties, a snorkle, and a polka-dotted life preserver?

This is a very fun book that could help give kids the courage to try something they may be afraid of, including taking that first plunge into the pool.