Benny Learns to Swim

Judith Koppens has been an author and illustrator for many years. Children are her most important source of inspiration. Their enthusiasm and honesty are always part of her work. Judith lives in the Netherlands and works as a teacher at an elementary school.Marja Meijer has been drawing since she was born, so it's not surprising that she went to an art academy to study illustrative design. She has worked as a freelance illustrator for newspapers and magazines and illustrated her first of many picture books in 1992. Marja lives in the Netherlands with her husband and children.

"In this Dutch and Belgian import, a tiny dog yearns to swim, but his owner says he must take lessons first. Benny, a diminutive blue canine with distinctive whiskers, really wants to jump into the lake on a hot, summer day. But Sam, a determined young gal with disheveled pigtails, declares that he must first pass a swim test. After all, that is what she had to do. (She proudly shows him her swim certificate.) She decides to take him to the pool for lessons. Alas, the swimming instructor says no. Sam isn’t deterred. “I think I know why the teacher sent you away. You’re not wearing a bathing suit. No one can go into the pool with a bare bottom!” She quickly squeezes him into a pair of polka-dot swim trunks (Benny’s uncertain expression says it all). But he’s turned away again. Will Benny ever swim in the lake? In Meijer’s friendly, informal cartoons, bright colors and stable compositions give an atmosphere of optimism to plucky, earnest Sam’s plight. The story is quite linear and obvious to those in the know, but for readers who don’t have dogs, it could be a shocking discovery. The majority of the students in the class, Sam included, appear white, although some have slightly darker skin, and the swimming instructor has brown skin and curly black hair. A testament of true friendship." - Kirkus Reviews"Gr 2–In this Dutch import, a young girl is worried because her dog wants to jump in the lake on a hot day but he hasn’t had any swimming lessons. Since she has earned her “swim certificate,” she takes Benny to the pool where she learned to swim. The swim coach refuses to let her pup in the pool, and she think it’s because he’s not wearing swim trunks. She states, “No one can go in the pool with a bare bottom!” After she puts him in swim trunks, the coach again informs her that the dog can’t participate. She then believes Benny simply needs a bathing cap. What she eventually learns about her dog is quite a surprise to her, and she becomes filled with pride at having such a talented pet. Though most youngsters will already know what the child learns, they will thoroughly enjoy seeing the illustrations of Benny dressed up in his trunks, swim cap and floatation aids wrapped around his lower body as he awaits his instructions. The charming cartoon-style illustrations are filled with color, and the girl’s concern for her dog’s safety is endearing. VERDICT This delightful story about a girl and her dog will appeal to young readers. Recommended for purchase." - School Library Journal