An endearing story about a little girl named Sam and her dog Benny. Benny wants to jump in the lake, but Sam won't let him- he needs to learn to swim first! She just got her swim certificate that shows she completed swimming lessons, but Benny doesn't have one, and she wants to be sure he's safe. She takes him to the pool to get lessons, but the instructor won't allow Benny to get in the pool. In increasingly funny misunderstandings, Sam finally learns what the reader has known all along (or has likely known, anyway)- dogs know how to swim already. The story is sweet and silly, with adorable artwork. Great fun!

#BennyLearnstoSwim #NetGalley

Thank you #NetGalley for the free review copy of #BennyLearnstoSwim!

Benny, Sam's dog, wants to go swimming in a nearby lake. Sam, a young conscientious girl, takes her dog to the pool so that he can take swimming lessons and receive his swimming certificate. After not understanding why her swim instructor will not allow Benny to participate, Sam learns that dogs innately know how to swim.

I initially requested this book because of the cute cover picturing two fun characters and the title that hinted at a fun summer read. In my role as a second grade teacher, I look for stories with a message to readers. I was hopeful that a "learning to swim story" would include a message about bravery or perseverance.

Although I was disappointed that this book did not meet my expectations, I did think it was a cute story that children will enjoy reading for pleasure. The characters are sweet and I think children will enjoy that silliness that comes with the realization that Benny always knew how to swim. The illustrations were detailed and engaging but easily could have benefited from more representation (There was a Black swimming instructor and one Black child in the swimming lessons). The reading level was appropriate for the topic and age.

This book is quick and humorous read. Easy to keep kids engaged with this book! The illustrations and nice and I feel like this would be a nice step up book for beginners readers!

Adorable story about a girl concerned with caring for her pet dog who needs to learn how to swim! Tender, humorous, and a quick read. Great little book!

This is a cute concept for a picture book and has an internal logic. You can see how a child might assume that if she needs swimming lessons to go to the pool so would her dog. It's silly, sure, but pretty entertaining

A sweet story about a girl and her dog. A really charming look at the world through a child's eyes. A great choice for dog lovers and anyone learning to swim.

Cute and funny story of a girl and her dog-a good story for any animal lover who spent their childhood swimming.

This book is just the cutest thing! It took me a hot second to realise that Benny is the dog and the human, Sam, wants to teach it how to swim. So sweet! This is perfect to read to young children, particularly those who are hesitant about entering the water! Wear bathers, listen to your teacher and DON’T bring a dog to the pool (insert laugh emoji here) hilarious! The illustrations are also adorable and perfect as well.

My sincerest thanks to Netgalley and Clavis Publishing for a copy of this book in exchange for my review

5/5 stars

Benny is walking through the woods with Sam when they come upon a lake. Benny wants to swim but Sam is convinced that Benny can’t swim until he has lessons. Sams takes Benny to swimming class where she learns that dogs are able to swim without lessons. The book is full of funny little reasons why Sam thinks Benny isn’t able to attend class. Very cute and easy read with cute pictures to accompany it.

Sweet Story with Adorable Pictures

This is a simple well-illustrated story of a little girl who wants to take her dog for a swim at a local lake, but as she has taken swimming lessons and been certified, she believes her dog needs to take formal lessons and get certified, too, before he can take a swim. She determines that she must take him to the same place where she learned how to swim, but it is not as easy as it was for her. This part ends up to be quite amusing as she tries to figure out why the teacher won't let her and the dog stay in the swimming class. Finally, she learns that dogs have an innate ability to swim and don't need lessons. Then she and Benny enjoy a dip in the lake. I was amused that this little girl was so “rules and tools.” She was doing her best to follow them to the letter. The illustrations are sweet, and the friendship and trust between the little girl and the dog are readily apparent. I loved seeing her struggle to get him into swim trunks and a swim cap, and how she found those water wings for around his tummy… The book gently teaches lessons about doing what you can to help out a friend and how not all rules can be universally applied (even if one has the best intentions).

Sam and her dog Benny go to the lake and when Benny wants to swim, she takes for a swimming lessons. Did he pass the test? Does he even need to pass the test? are answered in the book.
The illustrations were good.

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the eARC

Benny is a dog who needs to get his swim certificate before he can swim in the lake, at least according to his owner. I liked the illustrations very much and felt almost nostalgic or classic. They reminded me of illustrations I would have seen in my childhood. I liked the setting and the premise of this story. It has repetition which I find appealing in a children's book. My only complaint was that it seemed a little short. I enjoyed it so much that I wanted a few more pages.

Thank you for the opportunity to read and review this title.

The illustrations in Benny Learns to Swim are excellent and would definitely make me reach for the book on the shelf at a bookstore! It would be the perfect book to read as you get ready for a summer of swimming and I look forward to reading this with my kids!

Fast, fun story about caring for you pets. Kids will enjoy the relationship between them.
Pictures are fun and really help to show the story.

The book 'Benny Learns to Swim' is a delightful little book for children to learn about the bond and love they can share with animals. And, bonus, it also teaches a thing or two about swimming pool rules!

The watercolour illustrations compliment this sweet and charming story, but what takes the cake are the end pages with Benny on them. Simply gorgeous!

Benny Learns to Swim is a cute story about a girl and her dog that needs to learn to swim. The cover is darling and the story line is pretty good. My kids and I enjoyed following along on the adventure as the little girl decides to take her dog to the local pool for swim lessons. However, as a parent I did find a few issues with the book. I didn't like that the girl's parents were no where to be seen throughout the entire book. This was odd to me. The child was alone around water and there was no parental supervision? As a parent... I find that troubling. Also, at the end of the story Sam learns that the dog has always known how to swim. They go back to the lake and he just runs and jumps in. It would be my hope that kids would not make the connection between themselves and the dog. If a child does not know how to swim, we don't encourage them to just run and jump in and try. It is a more cautious process. I feel like I may be reading too much into this, but at the same time I want to read books to my children that teach them about life and how to live it successfully. I think this book had a great premise, but it missed the mark in terms of delivery.

I received an electronic ARC from Clavis Publishing through NetGalley.
Sam and Benny are best friends. Sam won't let Benny swim in the lake because he hasn't passed swimming lessons. She takes him to the pool to learn like she did. The teacher tells her that dogs are born learning to swim so the two friends set off on new adventures at the lake.
Whimsical soft colored illustrations bring the story to life for younger readers.
Koppens captures the magic of children and pets. Readers will see the bond between Sam and Benny right away.
Love how she slips in water safety along with the adventure and fun.

I picked this book, wanting to read it with my son, who loves to swim but is often a bit hesitant to get back into the water each time Summer rolls around. The humor throughout the book made both he and I laugh. The book shares the lesson of water safety and encourages you to give swimming a shot! My 7 year old enjoyed it so much, he read it again after he and I finished it.

Benny Learns To Swim is an illustrated children’s hardcover book (ages 4 and up) by Dutch primary school teacher and children’s book author, Judith Koppens. On a hot day, Sam and her dog Benny are walking by the lake. Benny wants to go for a swim, but Sam stops him: he can’t go swimming without a Swim Certificate like Sam has! Sam takes Benny for lessons at the pool, and she tries to anticipate the coach’s objections, but there are two she hasn’t thought of….
Filled with charming illustrations, this is a delightful story starring a resourceful little girl who clearly cares for her little dog.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Clavis Publishing

Benny Learns to Swim is an adorable children's book about a girl named Sam and her dog Benny. Sam won't let Benny swim in the lake until he has his swimming certificate like she does. But do dogs belong at swimming lessons? This is a fun story for young children. With thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for my digital copy of this book.