When a small child encounters the ocean for the first time, they aren't so sure about it. But each time they experience water, they get a little more comfortable. And, eventually, with the support of their mother, water becomes their special place to be.

The emphasis on taking your time and waiting until something feels right for you makes this one a keeper for me as a parent.

Trying new things can be scary. Sometimes it's best to wait until the time is right . . . even if that takes a long time.

This is a sweet story about a little girl who's nervous about getting in the water. Her mother doesn't force the issue, and eventually the child is willing to give it a try. With nice illustrations by Matilda Ruta.

Thanks NetGalley for the preview!

The illustrations were gorgeous. A wonderful book for someone learning how to swim who is just starting out. Happy to see diverse characters. A good teaching tool for someone a little bit nervous about swimming.

Little steps, big leap..

This book is a gentle and motivating book to teach children to overcome their fears by taking little steps in order to explore new journeys.
"I Will Swim Next Time," is an adorable picturebook about a little child who is curious to explore the beach but is too nervous to try, until one day, the child jumps into the pool.
This story is different from most motivational stories. To explain further, most stories have similar situations where the character is nervous to commit to do something. These stories have that rushing "just-do- it" motivation . However, this book clearly indicates that it is alright to be nervous, and to take our own time before we are ready.
Lovely read with an interesting message. I would recommend it.

As someone who grew up in a beach town and was also afraid of deep water, I wish I had had this book when I was a kid! I Will Swim Next Time is a sweet picturebook about a little kid who is interested in the water and swimming but is too nervous to try, until one day they decide to just jump in the pool! The message overall is that it is ok to wait until you're ready to try something that makes you nervous. I love this message because it takes children's fears seriously, rather than brushing the fears aside and saying, "just do it! it's not big deal."

#IWillSwimNextTime #NetGalley

A lovely story about honoring our fears and waiting for just the right moment. Joof and Ruta have crafted the perfect pairing of gentle, rhyming text and bold, beautiful illustrations. We'll be adding this book to our library collection and recommending it for teachers looking for stories about trying new things and overcoming fears.

I love the gentle feel of this book. There's no pressure from the child's grown-up, no shame, just acceptance and willingness to keep trying.

The art was alright and it had a nice message, but it was forgettable. Would be good for young children who have concerns about swimming.

Brings back memories to being a kid and learning to swim for the first time. I see this book being great as a lesson for those that are afraid to swim and needs gentle encouragement. Or even as a lesson for facing other fears outside of swimming. Often I find it sadening how people tell others that their fears arent important and that they should just face them. Yet they don't provide the resources or help to push them to do it when they are ready. I apprieciate that this book showcases the opposite. Some people need more time to face their fears and this book was a great example of how doing so when you are truely ready can be incredibly empowering.

A cute book with a nice rhythm and flow. I really like the animations in the book. Many kids will be able to relate to this book. Going into the water can be frightening for many young kids, especially when it comes to swimming outdoors in the river, pond, lake, or ocean. Pools are often less intimidating, and kids don’t have to fear fish or other things that may lurk beneath the water. This book shares the important message that things will happen when the time is right. This book was also enjoyed by my three-year-old child who only recently has become comfortable in water.

Thank you to Floris Books and NetGalley for providing me with a free electronic copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

WHAT A GORGEOUS BOOK!!!!
As soon as I opened this digital book I may or may not have swooned a little simply from the illustrations and the gorgeous colors that were popping out at me. And then I started the story and just fell in love.

This is a sweet story about a little that when introduced to the water is afraid and doesn't want to try swimming. And bless that mother, she never pushes, just introduces the child to water over and over until the child is comfortable with the idea and then finds water that isn't so scary [a pool] and jumps in and learns the delight of swimming and you just cheer along with the child in their delight.

This is an important book for littles who have a fear of water and shows how you can overcome that with love and support from those around you [oh that we all could have had that - I am still traumatized by my water experience and how my father thought I needed to learn to swim; I would have loved the mother in this book] and will teach parents/caregivers how to deal with a child who is afraid [this will apply to ANYTHING that they are afraid of in life in reality] and will give the child hope that they will learn to be less afraid.

This is one of the most gorgeously illustrated books I have read as of late and that will absolutely help engage your little in the story.

This is just fantastic and I highly recommend it!!

Thank you to NetGalley, Emily Joof, Matilda Ruta - Illustrator, and Floris Books for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

In this gorgeously illustrated picture book, a mother helps her child get ready to swim. The child feels both excited and nervous around bodies of water, getting a little closer each time and then saying, "I will swim next time." The mother encourages her child, doesn't push, and eases them into each new experience. The book ends with swimming lessons at a pool, and the child is full of delight at finally swimming.

This book can be helpful for other kids who feel nervous around water, or who are torn between excitement and reluctance about other activities. The book conveys a reassuring message without being too direct and preachy, and the beautiful illustrations encourage a sense of wonder and joy. The diverse representation is also appealing, and if someone is specifically looking for racially diverse books about swimming, I would also recommend "When You Can Swim" by Jack Wong, "Saturday Is Swimming Day" by Hyewon Yum, and "Our Pool" by Lucy Ruth Cummins.

This is a great book about the fears a child has. I think it could be relatable for many kids or would be good for a conversation to be started about fears they have and strategies they use.

I Will Swim Next Time provides the tools kids need to build confidence, overcome challenges, and face fears. The ocean can be an unpredictable, scary unknown, especially for children. Watching the character work slowly to develop courage is important for kids to see. The book will give children the power to face any obstacle by showing them they can persevere with small steps. Sometimes what scares us the most can ultimately become the most fun!

An excellent read about a young child who is afraid to swim. There were so many things I adored about this book! The child find comfort in their parent, and the parent never forced the child to swim until they were comfortable. There is great language in this story about how kids can describe what they are feeling. Instead of just saying scared or nervous, the books describes the feeling of something feeling wrong inside and the child's tummy feeling tight. The last think I want to mention is the stunning illustrations that greatly enhance the story.

I received an electronic ARC from Floris Books through NetGalley.
The artwork alone is worth opening this book. The first page spread of crashing waves portrays the energy and power to come. Readers meet a child who is afraid to get in the water. Every page spread at a different body of water moves them closer to swimming. I appreciate the message that the parent will always be nearby to help. The text shows how the child get braver and braver until they jump in a pool and then explore water from there.
Encouraging and gentle story.

This beautifully illustrated picture book focuses on a little boy that has a slight water anxiety. He does at the ocean, lake, and river as long as his mom is there. She always assures him that he will know when it is time for him to swim on his own. By the end of the book her words hold true.
This picture book could be used in either a public library or classroom setting as it has a wonderful SEL component but parents could also use it as a modeling tool for the children at home.

Really cute book for timid swimmers! Wonderful illustrations. If you have a timid swimmer this is the book for them.

A very short and sweet book with some nice art and a wonderful message about waiting until you're ready. A good book to read with little ones when they're anxious.