Swimmy is a 1963 picture book written and illustrated by Leo Lionni. The book is the story of a very small fish who stands out because he is a different color from all of his school. He is curious and adventurous, exploring the sea after being forced away from his home. When he meets a new school that fears leaving their safe rock and being attacked by a predator, Swimmy saves the day by being the leader they need. The book was a recipient of a 1964 Caldecott Honor for its illustrations.[1]
A very large tuna eats all the red fish who are swimming around, leaving the little Swimmy all alone. Scared and on his own, the little black fish swims away into the large ocean. He sees many beautiful and strange creatures on his journey until he finally discovers another school of little red fish, just like his own family used to be. He excitedly asks them all to come out and play, but they refuse. They are afraid of the big fish and don't want to get eaten. Swimmy tells them that they must make a plan, because they can't spend their whole life hiding in the rocks. He devises a plan to have all the red fish swim in the shape of a large fish - and then Swimmy takes his place among them in the place the eye would be. After that they are able to swim in the sea without fear - scaring the larger fish away wherever they go.
Mediumedit
Lionni uses paints and stamping in this book to create his underwater world. Lace, cloth and string are some of the objects used for seaweed, water and tentacles, respectively.
Themesedit
In his obituary, New York Times writer Steven Heller states, "When Swimmy says, 'I will be the eye,' it is clear that this is also a portrait of the artist as seer." Frances Foster, Lionni's long-time editor also said, "I think that's certainly the way Leo saw his role as an artist, seeing for people."[2] Lionni told teacher and author Vivian Paley that of all the creations in his writings, Swimmy was the character most like himself.[3]
Critical Reception and Awardsedit
In her article “Fish Stories: Teaching Children's Literature In A Postmodern World.” Karen Coats uses Swimmy as an example of how children's books can be as intellectually demanding as writings for adult audiences. She posits that a book like Swimmy is a simple hero story to children, but adults are able to see additional messages about society and relationships that go beyond the surface story.[4]
Referencesedit
^. Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC). Archived from the original on 2019-03-29. Retrieved 2020-03-04.
^Heller, Steven (17 October 1999). "Leo Lionni, 89, Dies". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 2020-03-05.
^Paley, Vivian Gussin. The Mouse That Roared. School Library Journal. 2000;46(1):46.
^Fish Stories: Teaching Children's Literature in a Postmodern World. (Pedagogy, vol. 1 no. 2, 2001, p. 405-409. Project MUSE)
swimmy, book, swimmy, 1963, picture, book, written, illustrated, lionni, book, story, very, small, fish, stands, because, different, color, from, school, curious, adventurous, exploring, after, being, forced, away, from, home, when, meets, school, that, fears,. Swimmy is a 1963 picture book written and illustrated by Leo Lionni The book is the story of a very small fish who stands out because he is a different color from all of his school He is curious and adventurous exploring the sea after being forced away from his home When he meets a new school that fears leaving their safe rock and being attacked by a predator Swimmy saves the day by being the leader they need The book was a recipient of a 1964 Caldecott Honor for its illustrations 1 SwimmyAuthorLeo LionniPublisherAlfred A KnopfPublication date1963Media typeHardcoverPages32AwardsCaldecott HonorISBN0394817133 Contents 1 Plot 2 Medium 3 Themes 4 Critical Reception and Awards 5 ReferencesPlot editA very large tuna eats all the red fish who are swimming around leaving the little Swimmy all alone Scared and on his own the little black fish swims away into the large ocean He sees many beautiful and strange creatures on his journey until he finally discovers another school of little red fish just like his own family used to be He excitedly asks them all to come out and play but they refuse They are afraid of the big fish and don t want to get eaten Swimmy tells them that they must make a plan because they can t spend their whole life hiding in the rocks He devises a plan to have all the red fish swim in the shape of a large fish and then Swimmy takes his place among them in the place the eye would be After that they are able to swim in the sea without fear scaring the larger fish away wherever they go Medium editLionni uses paints and stamping in this book to create his underwater world Lace cloth and string are some of the objects used for seaweed water and tentacles respectively Themes editIn his obituary New York Times writer Steven Heller states When Swimmy says I will be the eye it is clear that this is also a portrait of the artist as seer Frances Foster Lionni s long time editor also said I think that s certainly the way Leo saw his role as an artist seeing for people 2 Lionni told teacher and author Vivian Paley that of all the creations in his writings Swimmy was the character most like himself 3 Critical Reception and Awards editIn her article Fish Stories Teaching Children s Literature In A Postmodern World Karen Coats uses Swimmy as an example of how children s books can be as intellectually demanding as writings for adult audiences She posits that a book like Swimmy is a simple hero story to children but adults are able to see additional messages about society and relationships that go beyond the surface story 4 References edit Caldecott Medal amp Honor Books 1938 Present Association for Library Service to Children ALSC Archived from the original on 2019 03 29 Retrieved 2020 03 04 Heller Steven 17 October 1999 Leo Lionni 89 Dies The New York Times Archived from the original on 2020 03 05 Paley Vivian Gussin The Mouse That Roared School Library Journal 2000 46 1 46 Fish Stories Teaching Children s Literature in a Postmodern World Pedagogy vol 1 no 2 2001 p 405 409 Project MUSE nbsp Children s literature portal nbsp This article about a picture book is a stub You can help Wikipedia by expanding it vte Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Swimmy book amp oldid 1212984000, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
