Swimmy

Duaah Galal //Swimmy//  By Leo Lionni
 * Bibliographic Data:**

Reading level: Ages 4-8 Grades: Kindergarten and up Hardcover: 32 pages Language: English Paperback Price: $6.99 Publisher: Dragonfly Books (April 12, 1973) ISBN-10: 0394826205 ISBN-13: 9780394826202


 * Summary:**

__Swimmy__ by Leo Lionni is a story about a little black fish in a school of red fish that have all been eaten up by a large tuna. Swimmy, being the only black fish finds himself alone and frightened, but eventually meets many new friends in the ocean and finds a new school of red fish. He learns that there is another danger in the sea; a big fish that eats the other creatures. Helping the fish work together, Swimmy uses his “uniqueness” and comes up with a way to protect them from being eaten by the big fish. Being different than the other fish wasn’t so bad after all.


 * Book Review:**

__Swimmy__ is a great story with a wonderful message that even if one person is different and unique, a community is made stronger if it can stick together. This story truly reminds us that our community is strong and that we all have something unique to contribute. I like that this story is one that students can make connections with. For example, many students may be able to relate to Swimmy who feels left out because of his skin color. Swimmy is a storybook I would recommend to teachers to use in their classroom. There are many great themes throughout the story that teachers can apply to the classroom. Leo Lionni has also done a great job bringing this story to life with his use of color and texture.


 * Analysis of Literary Element (Theme):**

Friendship, courage, cooperation, ocean life, leadership, responsibility, fear and diversity are all themes included in __Swimmy.__ This story emphasizes to children the meaning of community and how people, even fish, can work together to work on and solve problems. Courage is evident when Swimmy faces the other creatures in the sea. Fear is also shown in the story: “He swam away in the deep wet world. “He was scared, lonely and very sad” (5) and eventually readers are able to realize the various ways one can overcome difficulties. Also, Swimmy teaches the school of fish how to work together and protect themselves from other fish. “He taught them to swim close together, each in his own pace” (30). Diversity is also a key theme throughout the story. In the end, Swimmy uses the idea of being “different” to his advantage by positioning himself as the eye of the big fish. This story has a great message about making the best of a bad situation and overcoming obstacles. Survival is also a theme throughout Swimmy, as he is the only dark black fish unlike his brothers and sister who are little red fish. Overall, the theme teaches children to work together to achieve goals no matter if they are different or not. The strength that comes from both unity and diversity and the need to think “outside the box” is also a wonderful message given to readers.


 * Author Biography:**

Leo Lionni was born on May 5, 1910 in Holland and moved to Italy before living in the United States in 1939. He then worked as an art director for several advertising agencies, and then for Fortune magazine. Lionni started writing and illustrating children’s books when he returned to Italy in 1962. He produced 40 children’s books. Leo’s books include life lessons that are often related to children and adults alike His family, and his surroundings influenced him as an artist and creative thinker. In 1962 his book __Inch by Inch__ was awarded the Lewis Carrol Shelf Award. He has won four Caldecott honor book awards for __Inch by Inch__, __Frederick__, __Swimmy__ and __Alexander and the Wind-Up Mouse__.


 * Related Links:**

http://www.mermaidtheatre.ns.ca/repertory/swimmy/Leo%20Lionni%20%20a%20resource%20guide%20for%20teachers.pdf

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