Tiny Barbarian Conquers the Kraken!: A Humorous Picture Book About Swimming, Bravery, and Imagination for Kids

Tiny Barbarian #2

by Ame Dyckman, Ashley Spires (Illustrator)

Our fearless tiny hero conquers another common childhood fear—swim lessons!—in this epic follow-up to his origin story, Tiny Barbarian. After admiring the new movie poster for Bob the Barbarian Conquers The Kraken, Tiny wants to battle a kraken in the choppy seas, too! There’s just one Tiny doesn’t know how to swim! Off to the community pool for Tiny’s first swim lesson! With a swim cap stretched over his signature barbarian “helmet” and some cool new gear, Tiny learns to blow bubbles, float, dog paddle, kick, and build his confidence in the water. Just in time, because… A tentacled fearsome foe rises from the deep end of the pool! Can Tiny use his new skills to defend his realm, protect his family, and save the day? Once more, Ame Dyckman ( You Don't Want A Unicorn!) and Ashley Spires ( The Most Magnificent Thing) show that with a little bravery and a big imagination, tiny barbarians really can “CONQUER EVERYTHING!”

Genres: Picture Books, Sports, Monsters, Childrens, Humor

32 pages, Hardcover

Published August 22, 2023

Reviews

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tiny is inspired by a movie poster of Bob the Barbarian conquering the kraken! He wants to be just like Bob, but first he must learn how to swim! Mom and Dad take him to the community pool to do just that. Will Tiny succeed?

I liked this book more than the first one in the series. One point I found to be so true is that Tiny is inspired but a movie poster of Bob the Barbarian even though he hasn't even seen the movie. This is so true for most children. I like how his imagination inspires him to learn how to swim and take lessons. This would be a good book to introduce to young kids who are about to take their first swim lessons as well. There are some pretty practical swim lesson pointers to take in, such as not peeing in the pool!

[Sheri · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Ame's books and this one related to first swimming lesson is fun. The illustrations by Ashley Spires are big and colorful as well. What he sees himself doing compared to what Tiny does in the water and how he takes his time is shown beautifully. I learned what a kraken was or what the boy thought the water monster was and must be conquered.

[Danielle Robertson Robertson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love how whimsical this story is. The art is amazing, from the way that tiny's imagination is reflected in the pool of water, to subtle details like the emotions and expressions of the side characters. It's a fun story.

[Patricia N. McLaughlin · Rating 3 out of 5]

A boy with a whale of an imagination goes to the community pool for his first swim lesson, which ends in a heroic quest to conquer the “kraken”—in other words, his fear (e.g., water, swimming, firsts). Engaging illustrations of the tiny barbarian, his exploits, and the patience of his parents.

[Steph]

Turn/Level: 1/3

Swimming, Learning to Swim, Vikings, Kraken

[Ryann Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great illustrations and a fun way to talk to kids about conquering their fear of swimming/water.

[Anthony S · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good bit of fun

[Becky B · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Tiny sees the new Bob the Barbarian movie poster for Bob the Barbarian Conquers the Kraken, he starts dreaming about seafaring adventures. There's just one problem. Tiny doesn't know how to swim. Can the Tiny Barbarian conquer swim lessons?

An inspiring and humorous read to help little readers prepare to face the challenges of swim lessons. Tiny has a pretty good attitude about it, and his imagination helps provide further inspiration to overcome challenges that arise. I love the little details that Ame Dyckman wove into the text (like that Tiny doesn't really know what a kraken is, or that he even conquers the challenge to not pee in the pool 🤣). Ashley Spires' illustrations are perfect and add to the comedy. Hand this to readers about to learn to swim and/or who just want a funny story.