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228th out of 2,283 books
—
3,580 voters
Swimmy
by
Leo Lionni
Deep in the sea there lives a happy school of little fish. Their watery world is full of wonders, but there is also danger, and the little fish are afraid to come out of hiding . . . until Swimmy comes along. Swimmy shows his friends how—with ingenuity and team work—they can overcome any danger. With its graceful text and stunning artwork, this Caldecott Honor Book deserve...more
Paperback, 32 pages
Published
April 12th 1973
by Dragonfly Books
(first published 1963)
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Sep 29, 2008
Dolly
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
parents reading to their children
Cute story and fascinating, gorgeous illustrations. Again, Leo Lionni delves into the matter-of-factness of life and shows that one little fish can make a difference.
This book is by far one of my favorites. The two lessons behind this story are that (1) it is ok to be different and to embrace being unique and (2) when people join and collaboratively work with one another you can accomplish any big task ahead of you. This would be a great story to read at the beginning of the school year and to any age! When you begin the year with this book it allows you flow right into the idea that in the classroom we are all going to embrace and welcome everyone's differe...more
This book takes us on an underwater adventure using unusual, stamped and swishy images that show a big world in which a small fish bravely explores. At first he is sad and lonely, but then he sees marvelous things. When he meets new friends he figures out a way for them to all safely explore the big, wonderful world. Swimmy learned from something bad that happened and used clever problem-solving to save the day.
Vocabulary: lonely, marvel, school (fish), mussel, fierce
LEARNING EXPERIENCE
Listening...more
Vocabulary: lonely, marvel, school (fish), mussel, fierce
LEARNING EXPERIENCE
Listening...more
Main Characters: Swimmy
Setting: in the sea
POV: 3rd Person
Summary:
Swimmy, an adorable and charming little guppy, is the only little fish among his brothers and sisters who was born black instead of red. Although swimmy is small, he has the ability to swim faster than all of the others and actually out swims a big fish that has come to devour his family. As Swimmy is left alone in the deep ocean, he comes in contact with different sea creatures of all shapes and sizes. As he comes in contact with...more
Setting: in the sea
POV: 3rd Person
Summary:
Swimmy, an adorable and charming little guppy, is the only little fish among his brothers and sisters who was born black instead of red. Although swimmy is small, he has the ability to swim faster than all of the others and actually out swims a big fish that has come to devour his family. As Swimmy is left alone in the deep ocean, he comes in contact with different sea creatures of all shapes and sizes. As he comes in contact with...more
Main Characters: Swimmy
Setting: The Sea
POV: Third Person
Summary: “Swimmy,” by Leo Lionni is a children’s book about finding your place in the world. Swimmy is a little black fish in a school of little red fish. Swimmy is the only fish that looks different, and one day when a big fish comes by and eats all of the little red fish up in one big gulp, Swimmy is left alone as the only fish who got away. Swimmy explores the sea, seeing lots of new and interesting things. Swimmy eventually comes upon...more
Setting: The Sea
POV: Third Person
Summary: “Swimmy,” by Leo Lionni is a children’s book about finding your place in the world. Swimmy is a little black fish in a school of little red fish. Swimmy is the only fish that looks different, and one day when a big fish comes by and eats all of the little red fish up in one big gulp, Swimmy is left alone as the only fish who got away. Swimmy explores the sea, seeing lots of new and interesting things. Swimmy eventually comes upon...more
Sep 22, 2012
Beverly Cagle
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
children of all ages and fish
Shelves:
children-s-literature
Swimmy is a story of a fish that is different and unique in comparison to the other fish. However, they are almost on the verge of getting eaten but Swimmy is the only one to escape. He looks beyond his own school of fish and is able to explore the world he lives in. Feeling very lonely scared and sad, Swimmy is amazed at the wonders of the sea and the creatures he encounters that he becomes happy again. He comes across another school of fish who are trying to escape a predator. Swimmy then mobi...more
I have have heard works from Dr. Seuss, Maurice Sendak, Marc Brown and David Wiesner, but I have finally stumbled upon some works that came from my childhood a long time ago and those works consist of Leo Lionni! “Swimmy” is a Caldecott Honor book by Leo Lionni and it is about how an unusual little fish named Swimmy, who survives a giant fish attack, tries to find another family to live with. “Swimmy” may have an intense scene with the big fish that might frighten small children, but I am pretty...more
Swimmy is a small black fish, part of a school of small red fish, and when a large tuna eats the rest of his school, he finds himself alone and frightened. He travels through the sea, viewing many strange sights, until he finds another school of red fish. When he asks them to come exploring with him, they are too afraid of being eaten; but he devises a way to venture forth safely, and together they chase the bigger fish away. This simple adventure is illustrated in an unusual collage of ink-prin...more
Swimmy is the only black fish in a school of red fish. When his red fish get eaten by a big fish, Swimmy goes off throughout the sea exploring the unknown. He comes across a colorful jellyfish, a lobster, fish that looked like they were being pulled by an invisible thread, and a forest of seaweed. All of which he had never seen before. He then comes across another school of red fish and they are scared of the big fish. Swimmy shows them how to swim close together and make themselves look like a...more
The illustrations in this book are beautiful. Leo Lionni seems to be quite the artist. This is an adorable book about a brave little fish who helps other fish become brave too. This book also introduces so many diffrent sea creatures that children may have never heard of. In this book Swimmy also goes through a variety of emotions. Children would probably have a lot to talk about after reading this book.
Extension Activity: During an ocean theme I will make some rebus syle word strips into a word...more
Extension Activity: During an ocean theme I will make some rebus syle word strips into a word...more
I love this book! Swimmy is a great story with a wonderful message. In this story by Leo Lionni, Swimmy is a little black fish in a school of red fish who all got eaten up by the bad tuna fish. Swimmy was sad but met many new friends in the ocean and found a new school of red fish like his own. They were all still very afraid of the big fish. They decided to swim close together so they looked like one big fish, and Swimmy was the eye. With their teamwork they chased the big fish away. This story...more
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This picture book is so beautifully illustrated with watercolor paintings. It tells a story of a little fish, named Swimmy, who loses his family. He then has to swim in the big ocean all by himself. What do you think you would do if you were in his place?
Swimmy proves that tough situations can be overcome with a little bravery and ingenuity. He doesn't try to swim under a rock to hide his sorrows, rather he swims on, making sure that he makes the most of his time, seeing all the beauty there is...more
Swimmy proves that tough situations can be overcome with a little bravery and ingenuity. He doesn't try to swim under a rock to hide his sorrows, rather he swims on, making sure that he makes the most of his time, seeing all the beauty there is...more
Swimmy by Leo Lionni was a good story about not being afraid. I like this story. Swimmy was a brave fish he swam faster than his sibilings. A big fish ate up his family and he was alone. He met a rainbow jelly fish,lobster,strange fish,eels and some more small fishes. The small fishes was afraid to come out and play with him because the big fish was around. So Swimmy said we have to figure out something about that and he was thinking. He came up with we will all swim together and make a big fish...more
This Caldecott honor book is not restricted to one age level. The teachings within can be applied to any age group. The theme of this beautifully illustrated book is how to overcome loneliness.
Swimmy is understandably lonely when a tuna swallows all of the little red fish. The author writes that Swimmy is "scared, lonely and very sad."
But Swimmy becomes happy when he focuses on seeing all of the marvels of the deep: jelly fish, lobster, strange fish, seaweed, eel, sea anemone. He sees lots of...more
Swimmy is understandably lonely when a tuna swallows all of the little red fish. The author writes that Swimmy is "scared, lonely and very sad."
But Swimmy becomes happy when he focuses on seeing all of the marvels of the deep: jelly fish, lobster, strange fish, seaweed, eel, sea anemone. He sees lots of...more
Mar 12, 2009
Melody Kephart
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Preschool-3rd grade
Recommended to Melody by:
Kirstin Bratt
Shelves:
lled-catalog
Illustrator: Leo Lionni
Publisher: Dragonfly Books
Date of Publication: 1963
Genre: Fiction, Picture Book
Reading Level: age 4-8
Themes: friendship, courage, cooperation, ocean life, leadership, responsibility, fear
Curricula use: teach children about cooperation, friendship, diversity issues
teach children about the ocean life and the food chain
Social Issues: social class, racial issues, and diversity
Text & Pictures: wonderful pictures to correlate with the text. the use of paints draws the audie...more
Publisher: Dragonfly Books
Date of Publication: 1963
Genre: Fiction, Picture Book
Reading Level: age 4-8
Themes: friendship, courage, cooperation, ocean life, leadership, responsibility, fear
Curricula use: teach children about cooperation, friendship, diversity issues
teach children about the ocean life and the food chain
Social Issues: social class, racial issues, and diversity
Text & Pictures: wonderful pictures to correlate with the text. the use of paints draws the audie...more
Swimmy is an amazing tale about diversity, leadership, and being kind to others. Swimmy is the only fish in his family that is born black instead of red. One day, a tuna fish came and gulped up all the red fish. Only Swimmy got away. Swimmy swam deep into the sea, fearing the unknown. But he soon found amazing creatures that he never knew existed. He soon came across a school of red fish, much like his own. On the horizon, there lies a large fish, and if seen, the little school of fish will be e...more
To be honest, I don't like this picturebook's design. It looks too disordered and in a mess and also too abstract to make children inderstand the meaning of this picturebook.
However, the author's ambition is obvious from my aspect, this picturebook clearly shows swimmy's intelligence --- Union is Strength. I totally agree with this opinion, teamwork is highly important in our life and work or study. We need teamwork, we need union!
Without union and teamwork, we will lose strength and power to...more
However, the author's ambition is obvious from my aspect, this picturebook clearly shows swimmy's intelligence --- Union is Strength. I totally agree with this opinion, teamwork is highly important in our life and work or study. We need teamwork, we need union!
Without union and teamwork, we will lose strength and power to...more
"Swimmy" by Leo Lionni is about one black fish with lots of little red brothers and sisters. When his siblings are eaten by a shark, Swimmy is left alone to explore the ocean. He sees jelly fish, lobsters, seaweed, an eel, and sea anemones. When he finds a school of fish like his brothers and sisters, he hatches a plan that will allow them all to explore the ocean together without fear of the bigger fish. This is a book from 1963 about loss, wonder, family, and teamwork. Its charmingly messy ill...more
This is a nice tale about a little black fish named Swimmy. In the ocean, Swimmy loses his family to a big black fish. He wanders around the ocean, seeing all types of ocean creatures. Eventually, Swimmy comes across red fish just like him, and he gathers everyone together to form one giant fish. They scare away the big black fish, living peacefully in the ocean without fear. As I read this story, I thought the creativity with the illustrations was well done. There are so many colors and details...more
Lionni, L. (1987). Swimmy. New York: Alfred A. Knopf.
Summary:
Swimmy is a fast-swimming black fish in a sea of little red fish. After escaping danger from a tuna fish, he explores the sea world, meeting all kinds of sea creatures. He learns that there is another danger in the sea: a big fish that eats the other creatures. Helping the fish work together, Swimmy comes up with a way to protect themselves being eaten by the big fish.
Reviews/Awards:
Horn Book Guide 9/1/1991
Caldecott Honor Award: 1964
C...more
Summary:
Swimmy is a fast-swimming black fish in a sea of little red fish. After escaping danger from a tuna fish, he explores the sea world, meeting all kinds of sea creatures. He learns that there is another danger in the sea: a big fish that eats the other creatures. Helping the fish work together, Swimmy comes up with a way to protect themselves being eaten by the big fish.
Reviews/Awards:
Horn Book Guide 9/1/1991
Caldecott Honor Award: 1964
C...more
Lionni's story of Swimmy, a fish who is a different color from the other fish in his school, is illustrated with gorgeous watercolor spreads of ocean animals and plant life. Typical of Lionni's books, Swimmy finds a way to make his difference become his strength. When the rest of his school (who are painted with red outlines, as opposed to his solid black) are eaten by a large fish, Swimmy escapes and takes off to explore the ocean. He sees all kinds of amazing sights and eventually comes across...more
This is a wonderful book. There so many great things to say about this book. The illistrations were such a pleasure to look at. Almost as if you were at an art museum taking a tour as you turned each page. The story is about a fish born a completely different color than his brother and sisters. When they were eaten by a bigger fish he was left all alone with no one to guide him. He had to go off by himself to explore. He ended up finding others to be with. They worked together to look like a b i...more
Mar 06, 2012
Sheeba Virani
added it
Feelings in different situations is the highlight of this book. This book can be used as a resource to teach children vocabulary for their emotions.It also teaches children one of the most valuable lessons of life- Team work always pays off. The way Swimmy finds his way back home can be used to talk to children about problem solving skills.
Extension
After reading and discussing the book with children divide them into small groups of 4 each. Give each group a bucket of real and found things like s...more
Extension
After reading and discussing the book with children divide them into small groups of 4 each. Give each group a bucket of real and found things like s...more
Nov 26, 2011
Katie Williams
added it
A cute story about a fish who feels left out because of his color. There aren't many words, but plenty of pretty pictures. In the end, he helps the other fish avoid being eaten by a shark by working together to form one big fish. A good book to read to kids to talk about the meaning of a community and how people, and even fish, can work together to work on and solve problems. This could be applied to the classroom by assigning students to actively engage in ways to work as a team to overcome iss...more
This picture book is beautifully illustrated with watercolor paintings. It tells a story about "Swimmy" a little fish that was totally different from all others in his family. Everyone in his family was red colored, but he was black. Swimmy survives a ferocious attack from a tuna and is left with no family. He swims through the ocean and marvels on the beauty of other fish and life in the ocean. He finds another school of fish like his own and joins them. Swimmy teaches them how to work together...more
I really enjoyed this book. The illustrations in the book were not very bright and vivid but they were interesting. They were simple and not overly stimulating. The illustrations also told the story. This is a great book to read to help children with problem solving. I like how brave the little fish was in the story and how he figured out a way to slove his own problem instead of giving up.
Learning activity:
I will put the children in small groups. I will supply the children with fish of various,...more
Learning activity:
I will put the children in small groups. I will supply the children with fish of various,...more
Swimmy is about a black fish named Swimmy who teaches a red school of fish about life in the sea. When Swimmy’s brothers and sisters get eaten by a tuna he is forced to find a new family of fish. He is sad and wonders around the sea for a while but finally finds another red school of fish. When he finds them they are scared that they will be eaten by bigger fish, so they will not explore the ocean. Swimmy teaches them how to swim close together as one giant fish so that big fish will not eat the...more
Swimmy is a small black fish that was in school with small red fish. One day one big fish came and ate all the small red fish. Swimmy decided to travel and find more friends. When he found a group of small red fishes he asked them to come explore with them but they were too scared because they were in fear of getting eaten by the big fish. But he convinces to go with them and they go and explore together they scared away the big fish that came to eat them.
Extension- Discuss about the time they w...more
Extension- Discuss about the time they w...more
Swimmy by Leo Lionni is a picture book that every child needs to experience. It is clear why Swimmy was awarded the Caldecott Honor. In this picture book, the main character, Swimmy, appears to be an insignificant fish that proves to be capable of great things- he saves a school of fish with his clever ways! The theme of teamwork is powerful for young readers to connect to; every student wants to be successful and well-liked-- this story allows students to see that vision! Lionni is a magnificen...more
Swimmy is about a little guppy that was the only one born black instead of red out of his family. Even though he is small, he has the amazing ability to swim faster than anyone in his family. This ability saved his life and while he was alone he became more confident and learned the value of working together.
This book has unique and texture illustrations that draw the reader to read this book. It also provides a great message for children to learn.
This book would inspire a great lesson about the...more
This book has unique and texture illustrations that draw the reader to read this book. It also provides a great message for children to learn.
This book would inspire a great lesson about the...more
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MCC Children's Li...: Swimmy - Challice | 3 | 3 | Mar 04, 2012 09:27am | |
| MCC Children's Li...: Picture Book 2 | 1 | 1 | Feb 21, 2012 09:13pm |
FROM PUBLISHER:
Leo Lionni wrote and illustrated more than 40 highly acclaimed children's books. He received the 1984 American Institute of Graphic Arts Gold Medal and was a four-time Caldecott Honor Winner--for Inch by Inch, Frederick, Swimmy, and Alexander and the Wind-Up Mouse. Leo Lionni died in October of 1999 at his home in Tuscany, Italy, at the age of 89.
Leo Lionni has gained international...more
More about Leo Lionni...
Leo Lionni wrote and illustrated more than 40 highly acclaimed children's books. He received the 1984 American Institute of Graphic Arts Gold Medal and was a four-time Caldecott Honor Winner--for Inch by Inch, Frederick, Swimmy, and Alexander and the Wind-Up Mouse. Leo Lionni died in October of 1999 at his home in Tuscany, Italy, at the age of 89.
Leo Lionni has gained international...more
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