A Fish Like Me

by Jamie Sumner, Devon Holzwarth (Illustrator)

In the spirit of Eyes That Kiss in the Corners and I Talk Like a River, this lyrical picture book from acclaimed author Jamie Sumner tells the story of a child in swim therapy and celebrates the ways differently abled bodies can move in the water.

Under here, there is
no top or bottom,
no left or right—
only fields of water to wander in
as topsy-turvy as I like.

Underwater, everything looks different—and every body moves differently, too. During swim therapy, a child discovers he can be a catfish, a seahorse, a starfish cartwheeling across the universe. He finds the magic of moving in wholly new ways, just like he does on land in his trusty wheelchair.

Genres: Picture Books, Animals, Disability, Childrens, Summer, Fiction

40 pages, Hardcover

Published April 28, 2026

About the author

Jamie Sumner is the author of the critically-acclaimed middle-grade novels, Roll with It, Tune It Out, and One Kid's Trash. Her forth middle-grade novel The Summer of June hits shelves on May 31st, 2022 with Atheneum Books for Young Readers. She is also the author of the nonfiction parenting books, Eat, Sleep, Save the World and Unbound.

She has also written for the New York Times and the Washington Post as well as other publications. She loves stories that celebrate the grit and beauty in all kids. She and her family live in Nashville, Tennessee. Connect with her at Jamie-Sumner.com

Reviews

[Karol]

Engaging dive into the magic of swimming under water.

Illustrations are bright and beautiful on full pages of color.

[Marta]

Not normally a fan of picture books that are 100% about disability, except on occasion, I'd much prefer an author and/or illustrator just include it naturally without making a big deal about it (ie background or side characters, or if the main character have a plot completely unrelated to disability so that it's just normal life).
ALL that to say, this is one of the better ones that has a main focus on it.

It's a beautiful book with full-page, fun illustrations and a plethora of sea creatures to look at. I really appreciate that the beginning focus is on the enjoyment of swimming and it naturally leads into the wheelchair use, and it is very calm and simple when talking about it, not making it a big deal. My only complaint would be the inclusion of the swim therapy coach, I think it breaks the flow and whimsy of the book, when the illustrations including therapy equipment makes it pretty obvious what's happening. But it's a small complaint, I can understand why it's added.
All in all a good one👍

[Tonja Drecker]

The entire world changes when swimming in the water, especially when a little imagination gets involved.

These pages are a delightful ode to the fun of swimming as a little boy flips, twists, and turns underwater. With imagination, he pictures various sea creatures around him and shows how he can be a little like them. There are gentle additions of facts dabbed in naturally with the text. The text carries a lyrical atmosphere to match the fun flow of the water and seems to swish and glide with the descriptions of what is happening. The illustrations pack color and playfulness to let the freedom and enjoyment come across clearly. It invites young listeners and readers to jump in and swim right along with the boy and other kids.

While this could be a lovely book just with enjoyment the boy experiences while swimming, it goes a step further to embrace a little more diversity. About halfway into the read, it becomes clear that there's more to the swim than just normal fun. This is actually hinted at during the first pages, just not very obviously. For a couple pages, the boy shows how much fun he also has doing small tricks and packing imagination as he's underway in his wheelchair. When it switches back into the water, he's joined by a therapist for a couple pages, too, before gliding right back into pure swimming fun. This raises awareness for individuals in this circumstances or similar in a very positive way and inspires from beginning to end.

[Rachel]

The power of water takes center stage in this moving picture book about a disabled child discovering freedom, confidence, and empowerment in the swimming pool.

This book has so much going for it: diverse representation, stunning artwork, and beautifully crafted verse. While the story centers on a disabled child's experience, its themes of confidence, belonging, and self-discovery are universal, allowing it to reach well beyond a disability-focused audience.

And can we talk about the artwork? The illustrations are absolutely gorgeous, bringing a sense of movement, joy, and possibility to every page. Combined with the lyrical text, they create a reading experience that is both emotionally resonant and visually memorable.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and can see numerous classroom connections, including water and ocean studies, disability awareness, SEL, confidence and empowerment, and figurative language. A wonderful picture book and one I would happily place in students' hands and I can't wait to read aloud this fall.

[Heidi]

A young boy exuberantly embraces the freedom swimming provides him. His energetic imagination leads him to compare himself to a starfish, a catfish, and a seahorse as he swims through the water. The bright, colorful art highlights his imaginative comparisons. Readers quickly realize the boy uses a wheelchair when out of the water. The freedom and joy his swim therapy brings is quickly realized as well as the fun he has in his wheelchair as well. The illustrations show how he swims in the water like a fish and how he can get lost in 'this topsy-turvy world'. The gouache paintings combined with colored pencil also include some collage elements provided a more 3-D type experience. The spread where he talks about not always being brave and fearless and getting 'lost' shows bits of maps, emphasizing the point of the text. A lovely combination of poetic text and creative illustrations makes for a story that many children will relate to, whether they use a wheelchair or not.

[Alicia]

Brightly colored since it takes place in the water with the fishes, the sea, the creatures, and even inside of a pool itself, the kid's imagination runs wild viewing himself as a fish because of the weightlessness of the water and feeling like his body can do anything. And the pivotal moment is when readers understand that he is a person that uses a wheelchair which is often a disability depicted in Sumner's books which is sure to get some attention from the Schneider Award committee.

Water is an equalizer but also for a kid who loves to be in the water, it's about the fun of water which everyone can relate to as well.

[Cheryl]

Perfect. I was a little concerned it would be about comparing the freedom of swimming with the limitations of being 'disabled,' but this precious boy is happy in his chair, too. He has an amazing imagination and I can easily imagine young readers wanting to be friends with him.

Highly recommended to all educators, including families. Just don't preach on it. And if you do have a student who uses a wheelchair, get their permission to share the book with the others (in fact, consider asking them if they want to lead the reading).

[Michele Knott]

I love that this book explores how freeing water can be for kids who have disabilities. It also includes water therapy and what that can look like. I do wish there had been an author's note at the end that gives a little more information about water therapy and the power of water for kids with disabilities. This book will probably bring up more questions that are great to ask, I wish there had been a little more information for young readers.

[Rachel]

A boy loves the water where he can be silly and free. The boy uses a wheelchair out of the water, but the book makes sure to show that he is still wholly himself when out of teh water too. I liked the representation of the boy doing water therapy (something I have not seen in picture book yet) and the images are bright, happy and proud. What a great way to show that a kid can be many things, but also always their wonderful self.

[TheRetiredSchoolLibrarian |Mrs. Ferraris]

Summary: A young boy enjoys swimming therapy where he uses his imagination to become different water animals. He compares the freedom of how he moves in the water to how he navigates the world in his wheelchair.

Comments: The beautiful textures of gouache, colored pencil, and collage move the boy through his imaginative water world.

This is a superb SEL choice to encourage classroom discussions about inclusion and physical disabilities.

Rating: 4.5/5 📗📗📗📗1/2

[Holly Wagner]

I love that it’s not immediately obvious this is about a wheelchair bound swimmer. I love how it captures the utter joy of swimming just as so many experience it. I love the way the swim instructor does her work.

I didn’t love as much how many of the things about underwater swimming just aren’t my understanding. There is left and right. There is sound. There is so many things that just don’t ring true to my experience.

[Diana]

I loved how the boy tells the story of how he feels in the water and all the things he can do that might not be possible to do outside of it.
I wish the author would have giving us more information about swim therapies so kids could learn a little bit more. Yes, I know I can google the information, but having it right there on the book you are reading, would make it so easy for us parents.

[Colleen]

Author: Jamie Sumner
Title: A Fish Like Me
Publication date: 2026
Category: Storytime book
Interest level: Pre-K to Kindergarten
Brief Annotation: A little boy describes how he moves in the water versus how he moves on land with his wheelchair.
Themes: Wheelchairs, disability, swimming
Ways to use this book with children: This can be used to describe how people can move in different ways, especially how they may not be able to move on land without assistance versus in the water.
Diversity: The boy has a condition that he needs a wheelchair.
Where/how you found the book: I think I was searching for books to use for this class using my public library.

[Kathy]

Kids will totally relate to the fun of being in the pool and exploring different ways to move and pretend there. This adds the additional layer that it is the same for kids who use wheelchairs: the sense of joy in freely moving different ways in the water. Kids who are goofy on land (whether on legs or in a wheelchair) can be just as goofy in the water!

[Terresa Wellborn]

"Wherever I might be...there is something magical...about a fish like me!"

A young boy of all abilities leaves his wheelchair at the edge of the pool and enjoys a swim, including the feeling of free floating like a starfish, a catfish, seahorse, and snail.

Themes: animals, disability, summer
Ages: K-3rd grade
Pub year: 2026

[Vicky]

What a beautifully illustrated bk showing how a boy in a wheelchair in swim therapy can do so many things. He finds he can move about is so many different ways just like a seahorse, a catfish and more.

[Binxie]

A child who uses a wheelchair finds freedom in the water. The delightful illustrations and well-written text make this a great choice for anyone to read. Great addition to books on disabilities. Only observation, they are sea stars, not starfish.

[Kirsten Murphy]

What an absolutely lovely book with a great Front Flap for a hook and so many great connections:
* children who use wheelchairs
* swim therapy
* poetic writing
* imagination
* similes & metaphors

[Amy]

Everyone should read this book. This is one of the best disability picture books for children featuring cerebral palsy, that I have read in a long time. :)

[Rachel Dennie]

Warm, enchanting book about friendship and finding your place. This book is good for younger readers but I don't know how I would make a classroom lesson out of it. Super engaging illustrations

[Alyssa Mandell]

A beautiful book about a child who uses a wheelchair on land and find their body moves differently under the water. A great book to show how we all move differently.

[DiAnne Warfield]

Holt-Delhi library PJ story time 07-22-2026

[Dina]

This sweet picture book celebrates a child who gains freedom to move in the water and acknowledges those abilities along with the abilities he has to move with his wheelchair.

[Alice]

4.5 stars
A boy feels free like a fish in the water despite his use of a wheelchair on land. Affirming.

[Peacegal]

A child uses the power of imagination to express the freedom he feels while swimming. Delightful illustrations bring the underwater world to life.

[Y.Poston]

very engaging delight in the water and
the creatures therein