"NOOOOOOO! I don't want to go to the pool. What if . . . the water is too cold?" says Holly.
Holly the hippo imagines the worst: icebergs and icy water, penguins and seals! Her imagination bursts at every turn, making it harder and harder for her to step foot in the pool.
Until she get the chance to be a hero. Holly may be scared, but she is a very brave girl.
Benson Shum is a children's book Author and Illustrator. The idea that an image or painting can evoke emotions and movement is what brought Benson to the world of picture books and animation.
Benson is also an Animator at the Walt Disney Animation Studios, where he was a part of such films as Frozen, Big Hero 6, Zootopia, Moana, Frozen 2, Raya and the Last Dragon, Encanto and Wish. Originally from Vancouver, BC, Benson now lives in sunny southern California.
Read for my toddler’s bedtime. Holly’s dad took her to the pool but she refused to jump in asking what ifs this and that and her dad offered up solutions for her. One was the water is usually freezing when you first get in but it gets comfortable after a few minutes.
Sometimes the "what if’s" in our lives can stop us from having great experiences. Such is the case with Holly.
Holly the hippopotamus is a little afraid of the pool. She’s afraid of the cold water, of water getting into her eyes, nose and ears, and possibly every scenario she can think of!
But she IS a very brave little hippo though! She is always able to save her little sister’s toy when it gets lost or stuck somewhere, and when that toy falls in the pool, Holly is off to the rescue.
Holly's Day at the Pool is a charming, wonderfully illustrated book with an encouraging, positive message. Facing your fears is often the best way of overcoming it!
I especially loved the part that the dad played in the story. He never backs out of his decision to take Holly to the pool. When she gives him excuses and for not going, he gently suggests some ways on how she could deal with it, should it actually happen.
The illustrations are lovely, too! Expressive and charming! Definitely a read-again book!
Holly is an imaginative little hippo that's scared of the pool. She shares her fears regarding the pool with her father who reassures her and gives her good advice for dealing with any one of the scenarios Holly fears. When her little sister's beloved toy falls in the pool, Holly gathers up her courage and saves the toy all the while she faces her fears about the pool.
I like the story, the way Holly's fears are treated, and the solid advice that readers can take away for pool safety. The digital artwork is beautiful and full of lush imagination as Holly's fears are brought to vivid life.
Shum, Benson Holly at the Pool. PICTURE BOOK. Disney, 2017. $17.
Holly the hippopotamus is a little afraid of going to the pool. Her mind is full of “what if…” disasters. When her little sister’s favorite toy falls in, however, Holly is off to the rescue. Learning that even snapping turtles are not something to be afraid of.
As expect of someone who is an animator for Disney, the illustrations in this book brim with personality. As long as you can ignore the idea that Holly is a hippo who is afraid of the public swimming pool, you’ll thoroughly enjoy the story also.
A good book for discussing fears about swimming (what if water gets in my nose? what if water gets in my eyes? etc). The pictures are big and kid-friendly. There is this whole subplot about how Holly always saves her sister's toy if it gets stuck somewhere, which felt a little confusing at first, but ended up kind of being relevant when she retrieves the toy from the pool?
Holly (the Hippo) has a big imagination. She worries the pool might be icy cold with penguins. Dad provides helpful advice if she gets water in her ears or feels like she might sink to the bottom. She’s ready with more excuses when her sister’s toy falls into the pool! She jumps in (with a cautious hesitation) for the rescue and demonstrates all the tips she learned.
This artist/author is not only one of the most generous people I have ever interacted with, they make FANTASTIC BOOKS and illustrations. As a preschool teacher, I greatly appreciate meaningful children's books and B. Shum is the best of the best. I highly recommend! 10 out of 10!
Nice book. Reminds kids about all the reasons they like being at the pool. Really hope this series has more than just pools though... sports, lessons, performing arts... after Covid the kids need these books!
Holly's Day at the Pool: Walt Disney Animation Studios Artist Showcase (Artist Showcase, Walt Disney Animation Studios) by Benson Shum – This is on kindle unlimited. Cute illustrations! Happy Reading!
Holly doesn’t want to swim because lots of things can go wrong, like ferocious snapping turtles and Arctic-cold water. But when her little sister’s favorite stuffy needs rescuing, Holly takes the plunge and saves the day.
Great learning to swim through adversity and being brave book for toddler. Tea wanted to read again and again and adult loved too. Big sister character, fun illustrations and good storyline. Would definitely recommend for this age (3-4yrs).