Swim! Swim! [Hardcover]

Lerch (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1, 2010 | Age Range: 4 - 8 years | Lexile Measure: 180L (What's this?)

A snazzy story about friendship and true love!

Lerch is one sassy, snazzy fish who seems to have it all: good looks, charm, a great sense of humor, and a perfect smile. But he's lonely (the bubbles and the pebbles ain't talkin'!) and wants to find a friend. But where? Then, with the help of an unexpected "admirer," Lerch meets Dinah, and it's true love from first glance.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 1 Lerch, a goldfish wearing a red hat, tells of his isolated, solitary life. He talks in speech bubbles, reminding himself to Swim. Swim, just to fill the quiet void. He asks the pebbles at the bottom of his aquarium if they will be his friends. No answer. So he attempts to start a conversation with a small underwater diver and with the bubbles from the aerator, to no avail. When a cat plucks Lerch from his watery home and calls him Lunch, it appears to be the end for our finned friend, but the end turns into a beautiful beginning. Large, childlike illustrations done in ink and Photoshop, with everything outlined in thick black lines, have aqua, purple, and blue backgrounds. The large font and few words make this simple story of friendship accessible to early readers. As author and illustrator, Lerch is a pseudonym for James Proimos. Maryann H. Owen, Racine Public Library, WI
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From Booklist

Lerch the goldfish wants a friend, which is difficult since he's the only fish in his tank. Undaunted, he swims around his tank, talking to the gravel, the plastic undersea diver, and the bubbles, though sadly none of them answer him. Just when he thinks he's as lonely as a fish can be (in a wonderfully empty two-page spread), a cat arrives outside the tank and talks to Lerch. But, uh-oh, he calls him Lunch. Fear not, though, as young readers and storytime audiences will be greatly relieved by the final, friendly twist to the story. Though Lerch gets the credit for this picture book, James Proimos is responsible for the art and story. He uses the comic-book format, with panels and word balloons, to great effect here; Lerch's repeated “Swim! Swim!” can be a nice storytime chant. The bright colors and clear art match the simple story and will attract the youngest read-to-me set. Preschool. --Kat Kan

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Product Details

• Age Range: 4 - 8 years
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Scholastic Press (July 1, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0545094194
• ISBN-13: 978-0545094191
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 11.1 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #535,867 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Entertaining & Hilarious! July 19, 2010

By Rachel Rivera VINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover

One of the MOST entertaining books for children I have read! Swim! Swim! had me and my daughter (3) laughing uproariously and then quoting it throughout the day. Quoting it! A children's book!

Swim! Swim! is the story of Lerch and his desperate attempts to make a friend. He tries to befriend the pebbles, then the bubbles - and then well the cat. Graphically, the illustrations aren't going to go... WOW this is the best illustrations I've ever seen - but they are just perfect. Highly impressed and I think I will buy 10 copies and give it to all my friends with kids. Did I mention that it has almost a comic book setup which just speaks to my inner nerd? Love it.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Loved by our 4 yr old July 26, 2010

By Amy Plato Roberts

Format:Hardcover

Our 4 yr old LOVES this book. Great illustrations and story, with lots of funny elements in the names of the fish (Lerch & Dinah, not Lunch and Dinner) and the fact that it is written by Lerch (see dust jacket - my kid thinks that is hilarious). Also, now that he knows the story after a few reads and recognizes some of the words ("swim" and "blub"), he likes to pretend read this book to Mom & Dad and himself. We have other books by James Proimos and they are all winners.

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book for Pre-school and Kindergarten! April 17, 2013

By bookworm mama

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

This adorable book is about meeting a friend! My 5 and 6 year old love it!! It has lots of humor and is just long enough to keep their attention thru the whole book.