TINY BARBARIAN CONQUERS THE KRAKEN!

It’s swimming time!

Tiny Barbarian is a diminutive but mighty brown-skinned child, ready to don his Viking helmet (a colander with horns) and cape (it “only looks like the toilet rug”), wave his club (a cardboard paper towel roll), and “CONQUER EVERYTHING!” just like his hero, the film character Bob the Barbarian. Tiny wants to swim across an ocean and conquer the kraken, like Bob. Parenthetically, the narrator admits that Tiny doesn’t know what a kraken is. But, more importantly, Tiny must first conquer swimming lessons at the community pool. He soon learns the basics: putting his face in the water, blowing bubbles, floating, and dog paddling. But when Tiny spies a terrifying (inflatable) kraken heading straight toward his parents, he swims across the pool and defeats the creature with a blow from his kickboard shield. “Tiny’s realm? Defended. His family? Protected.” Colorful cartoon illustrations pop against a white background, and Tiny’s eyes act as a clear window to his emotions. The contrast between real life and Tiny’s vivid imagination will provoke giggles from kids; little ones nervous about swimming will emerge confident and excited. A diverse group of swimmers, parents, and instructors share the pool area. Tiny’s father is light-skinned and has a red beard and hair; his mother is brown-skinned and has brown hair. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

A humorous and empowering introduction to swimming basics for those ready to test the waters.