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"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.

40 pages, Hardcover

Published April 25, 2017

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About the author

Benson Shum

31 books47 followers
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.

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5 stars
55 (31%)
4 stars
50 (28%)
3 stars
54 (30%)
2 stars
13 (7%)
1 star
3 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
Profile Image for Jasmine from How Useful It Is.
1,790 reviews392 followers
October 6, 2021
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.

Read from kindle unlimited.
Profile Image for Ingrid Sawubona.
Author 19 books2 followers
July 10, 2018
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!
Profile Image for Samantha.
4,985 reviews61 followers
May 11, 2017
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.

Highly recommended for PreK-2.
Profile Image for Charlene.
Author 58 books56 followers
May 7, 2019
Very cute book about a hippo learning to conquer her fear of swimming.
Profile Image for Cindy Mitchell *Kiss the Book*.
6,185 reviews225 followers
June 15, 2017
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.

Pre-K, EL (K-3) – ADVISABLE. Cindy, Library Teacher
http://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2017/...
Profile Image for Molly Cluff (Library!).
2,496 reviews50 followers
April 25, 2019
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?
Profile Image for Lauri Meyers.
1,255 reviews30 followers
January 25, 2023
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.
5 reviews
June 9, 2020
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!
Profile Image for Leticia.
8 reviews1 follower
June 25, 2020
Cute

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!
Profile Image for Elizabeth.
6,891 reviews116 followers
November 23, 2021
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!
Profile Image for Angela De Groot .
Author 1 book33 followers
January 24, 2022
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.
1,288 reviews
July 25, 2026
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).
Profile Image for Ian.
1,217 reviews7 followers
May 15, 2017
Cute art, decent culmination, lackluster exposition and resolution.
Profile Image for Dana.
2,416 reviews
May 19, 2017
Bright illustrations show Holly imagining all sorts of scary things, but once she gets there, she enjoys her day at the pool.
Profile Image for Lisa.
400 reviews
June 20, 2017
Very cute. Moral lesson: It is important to encourage children to face their fears. Often their fears melt away and the gain a new and fun experience.
Profile Image for Elizabeth Edwards.
5,552 reviews9 followers
June 17, 2020
the illustrations are so fun. great and so colorful!! enjoyable fun read!! check this one out ... would be awesome for your book collection.
Profile Image for Lara Bate.
1,343 reviews5 followers
August 28, 2022
This is a story of a hippo who is hesitant to go swimming in the pool. In the end she loves it and wants to go back.
Profile Image for Pinky.
7,060 reviews23 followers
January 15, 2024
Holly has fun at the pool after overcoming her fear and jumping right in.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews