Bubbles . . . UP!

An everyday visit to the pool transforms into an unforgettable celebration of the water in this remarkable picture book from Jacqueline Davies, the award-winning author of children's classic The Lemonade War, and Sonia Sánchez, the illustrator of Meg Medina's Evelyn Del Rey Is Moving Away.
A day at the community pool is full of unwater magic—dunking and diving with friends; somersaulting, walking on your hands, and bursting up through the surface like a tortoise. But when a thunderstorm comes and a little brother ventures too close to the pool’s edge, will our main character be quick enough and brave enough to save the day?
In this energetic read-aloud, the words swim off the pages as the underwater world comes to life through lush, dynamic illustrations and visual poetry. Journey to an imaginative world where, always and forever, bubbles . . . rise . . . UP!
* Junior Library Guild Selection * Booklist 2021 Editor's Choice: Books for Youth *

Reviews

"A swimming pool and a young swimmer create watery magic together. Davies’ lighthearted, lively poetry describes the singular joy of an afternoon at the neighborhood pool in this celebration of underwater swimming and splashing. Sánchez’s illustrations capture the way sunlight ripples through water and convey the blissful freedom of weightlessness, diving to the bottom of an imaginary ocean world and rocketing to the top amid bubbles. The exuberant sense of being purely in the moment is delightful." — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)"Davies’ cascading lines of verse text read aloud beautifully, rewarding listeners with wordplay [and leave] space for Sánchez’s effervescent illustrations to work their magic. The imaginative underwater scenes are particularly fine. This high-spirited picture book celebrates the joy in swimming. A mesmerizing book that conjures up a summer day." — Booklist (starred review)"Descriptive verse text with a scribble of clouds capture a bubble-filled watery world. It’s easy for swimmers to dream and imagine the pool filled with saltwater depths of treasure. VERDICT A recommended first purchase for all libraries, this title will interest readers who love the world underwater, or those who recognize the freedom and confidence borne of immersive play." — School Library Journal (starred review)"Every turquoise-covered page evokes the sound of splashes, excited squeals, and squeaky inflatables familiar to frequent swimmers. An ebullient ode to a simple summertime joy that will surely encourage both novice and adventurous swimmers to make a splash of their own." — Horn Book Magazine