Olvina Swims [Hardcover]

Grace Lin (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 29, 2007 | Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up

Olvina the plucky chicken is back for another adventure!

Olvina can swim about as well as she can fly, but her reluctance to swim hasn't been a problem until she's on vacation in Hawaii with her friend Hailey. Will Olvina let her fear of the water spoil her fun? Not with Hailey on the job.

Children (as well as chickens) may find learning to swim a daunting challenge. This reassuring story shows that with a little courage, lots of practice, and the help of a good friend, one can accomplish just about anything.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 2—The story picks up where Olvina Flies (Holt, 2003) leaves off, with the fearful chicken and her penguin friend in Hawaii. Hailey encourages her pal to overcome her fear of the water in stages, first in the bathtub, then in the pool, and finally in the ocean. In the end, Olvina learns to enjoy the water and appreciate a helpful friend. Lin's straightforward story will reassure nervous young swimmers. Both the text and art include whimsical moments and images, such as the ocean-dwelling fish sporting top hats and caps. The full- and half-page spreads, executed in gouache, feature delightful patterned borders and fabric designs in sunny colors. Pair this with Jonathan London and Frank Remkiewicz's Froggy Learns to Swim (Viking, 1995) for a storytime that youngsters can dive into.—Rachel G. Payne, Brooklyn Public Library, NY
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

Timid hen Olvina tackled her fear of flight in Olvina Flies (2003). This comforting sequel begins at the beach, where Olvina lounges in the sand, afraid to join her friend Hailey in the water. Hailey is persistent, and when Olvina offers the excuse that "chickens don't swim," Hailey has a firm, encouraging reply: "That doesn't mean they can't. It's easy—I'll teach you!" They start small—in the bathtub. And when Olvina feels comfortable putting her face underwater, the pair moves to the pool, where Olvina dons orange floaties and learns to paddle and blow bubbles. At last, she tries the ocean and discovers that the salty water feels like a hug. Lin's clear, clean-lined drawings make the action seem inviting and fun, and the palette of tropical colors reinforces the upbeat tone. Kids donning their first water wings are an obvious audience; they'll also enjoy Eve Rice's Swim (1996) and Anne Gutman's Gaspard at the Seashore (2002). Olvina's approach to learning new things—step-by-step, with help from friends—will give every child a confidence boost. Engberg, Gillian

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR); First Edition edition (March 29, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0805076611
• ISBN-13: 978-0805076615
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 9.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #482,033 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Hello! Thanks so much for your interest in me and my books!

I grew up in Upstate NY with my parents and 2 sisters, whom are featured in many of my books, including "Dim Sum For Everyone!" and my novels, "The Year of the Dog" and "The Year of the Rat." My mother and I were the star characters in my first book, "The Ugly Vegetables"--I cut both my sisters out of that story! They were quite upset with me and made me promise never to cut them out again. And since then, I haven't...yet.

While many of my books highlight my family, not all of them do. My Newbery Honor-winning novel "Where the Mountain Meets the Moon," is an Asian inspired fantasy that some people call a Chinese 'Wizard of Oz,' and my early reader "Ling & Ting" is inspired by the old 'Flicka, Dicka & Ricka' books I read when I was young.

I hope you enjoy my books. Please visit my website: www.gracelin.com for more info about them (behind the scene stories and pictures) as well as other amusing anecdotes!

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Olvina the Chicken Does the Dog Paddle--Excellent Book!, February 23, 2008

By 

M. Allen Greenbaum (California) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Olvina Swims (Hardcover)

After attending the annual Bird Convention in Hawaii (I love it!--The birds choose their junket/meeting site like humans would), young birds Olvina the chicken and Hailey the penguin have a few days to enjoy the island.

Haily, wearing a blue swimming cap, and a stunning strioed one-piece, invites fully clothed Alvina to join her in the ocean. Every day Olvina declines. On the third day, Hailey asks Olvina what's really going on, and learns "Chickens don't swim." The plucky Hailey encourages her:

"Just because chickens don't swimm doesn't mean they can't. It's easy--Ill teach you." "Teach me to swim? But I'm too scared to swim." "Oh, Olvina", Hailey groaned, "Don't be such a chicken."

"Where have I heard that before?" Olvina mumbled to herself."

This enterprise will be tougher than Hailey thought: Olvina's quite afraid of water. So Hailey, who must have attended a colloquiam on "Overcoming Avian Phobias through Progressive Conditioning" helps Olvina conquer her fear by taking baby chicken steps: A bathtub (where she practices dipping her face in the water and blowing bubbles), a swimming pool (accompanied by a hilarious pictue showing a couple dozen animals diving, floaqting, and swimming--all watched by an alligator lifeguard!), where Hailey informs her that her successful effort may be "the first time a chicken has done the dog paddle," and finally a wonderful swim in the ocean, including an underwater view od the fish, seaweeds, shells, crabs, etc. that dot the seascape.

Lin really respects Olvina's fears, and shows how small steps, facts (that funny smell in the pool is just chlorine--wear your goggles and you'll be fine), the support of a good friend, and patience can go a long way in learning new things and overcoming fears. It's a wonderful story about approaching new things, but without sounding preachy. A valuable book for kids and adults to read together, I recommend it enthusiastically. It may help kids overcome specific swimming fears, suggest approaches to anxiety about new things in general, and it's entertaining in its own right.