This will be a comforting read for any kid feeling apprehensive, nervous, or scared about swimming. The simple matter-of-fact recitation of the lessons each week will prepare kids for what to expect in a swim class.

Yum illustrates the main character's mood and feelings through her body language in every single illustration. If you isolated just the main character from each illustration and removed everything else including the text, I bet most people would still be able to "read" the story and get the gist of what happens.

I appreciated seeing two joyful, confident Black swimmers in the class as well as a Black teacher; I believe there is generally a lower percentage of people who have learned to swim among Black people than other racial groups, which sometimes results in tragedies. The characters in this book help to reinforce that swimming is for all people and everyone should know how to swim.

I also appreciate that all the characters -- the little swimmers and the teacher and the mom -- all have normal, realistic bodies. Body image impacts too many people's enjoyment of the water, so the more healthy & normal bodies of all shapes and sizes we see in bathing suits and swimming, the better.