A real picturebook classic, this edition of Swimmy marks its 60th anniversary and it’s just as fresh, relevant and eye-catching as when first published.
Swimmy is a small, black fish living happily amongst a shoal of red ones until his red companions are all eaten by a larger fish. Sad and lonely, Swimmy swims on, discovering beauties of the ocean in the process: a forest of seaweeds growing from ‘sugar-candy rocks’; sea anemones like ‘pink palm trees swaying in the wind’; a lobster walking like ‘a wave-making machine’.
The glorious language is matched by the inventiveness of his artwork which, as Eric Carle says in his special introduction, is both childlike and sophisticated. The story concludes with Swimmy finding a new shoal to join, and by now he’s worked out a way for them to be safe from the bigger fish too. The story celebrates the power of teamwork but the overwhelming impression is the beauty of the sea and the power of the imagination.
Discover Leo Lionni's classic anti-bullying tale with this beautiful 60th anniversary re-issue of the Caldecott Honor Book, featuring a foreword from Eric Carle.
Deep in the sea there lives a school of little fish. Their watery world is full of wonders, but there is also danger, and the little fish are afraid to come out of hiding… until brave Swimmy comes along. Swimmy shows his friends that, with ingenuity and team work, they can beat any bully!
Leo Lionni an internationally known designer, illustrator, and graphic artist, was born in Holland and lived in Italy until he moved to the United States in 1939. His picture books are distinguished by their enduring themes, graphic simplicity and brilliant use of collage. He wrote and illustrated more than 40 highly acclaimed children's books. In 1984, he received the American Intitute of Graphic Arts Gold Medal and was a four-time Caldecott Honor Winner. Leo died in 1999, at the age of 89, at his home in Tuscany, Italy.
