Rescue & Jessica: A Life-Changing Friendship, by Jessica Kensky and Patrick Downes

This book is based on the true story of Jessica Kensky, the book's author, who was injured in the Boston Marathon bombing and ended up losing both her legs.  The book does not discuss the bombing or initial injury (aside from in an author's note in the back), but does an amazing job of keeping this age appropriate yet pushing children to understand what it may be like to suffer such an injury.  Plus (at least in our family), books are about ten times more interesting when they are based on true stories and we've spent a lot of time examining a photo in the back of Jessica Kensky with her REAL LIFE DOG RESCUE!

What's best though, is that this is an engaging story.  Told alternatingly from Rescue and Jessica's point of view, it describes Rescue's training and relationship with Jessica and Jessica's rehabilitation and emotional struggle.  My son (newly 5, but we've been reading it for awhile) and I are entranced by this book and both recommend it highly!

BUY HERE (or request at your local library!)

Saturday is Swimming Day, by Hyewon Yum

This simple story is extraordinarily appealing to children.  A little girl wakes up on the morning of her first swimming class and finds that her stomach hurts.  She still attends class, but the teacher lets her sit on the side of the pool and observe.  Miraculously, the little girl has another stomach ache the next Saturday but the teacher coaxes her into the pool.  Finally, the third Saturday the girl's stomach ache has disappeared and she finds out she loves swimming after all!  My son was entranced by the fact that the girl was attempting to get out of class by falsely claiming her stomach hurt, and has requested this book over and over to delve into her 'deception'.  He is also interested (albeit less so) in the fact that she gradually overcomes her fears.

The Asian author/illustrator has sketched a cast including an Asian protagonist, a black swim instructor, and a diverse swim class.  The daughter's mom is white, and if you choose she can be read as an adoptive mother and/or a single mother (a father is not referenced).  The mother and swim coach are gently supportive and while they don't force the girl in the water, they nudge her along.

BUY HERE (or request at your local library!)