Overview
When Morgan starts swimming lessons, he has lots of problems to deal with. There is the towel flicking and the slimy floor in the change room. There's the jiggles in his tummy he needs to cover up with his t-shirt and the scary possibility that his suit will drop to his knees when he jumps in. Worst of all, Aldeen Hummell, the Godzilla of Grade Three, has told him she will turn him into cat food if he doesn't cover for her while she plays hooky. Once again Morgan finds himself dragged into Aldeen's plans. But by playing the clown, and facing his own fears, he thinks he can free himself from her clasp by helping her get her badge. Morgan Makes a Splash is a hilarious story about gathering courage to cope with difficult situations.Synopsis
Playing the clown is one way that Morgan can get through his swimming lessons. First, he's afraid his suit will fall down when he jumps in. Second, Aldeen Hummel has said she'll turn him into cat food if he doesn't cover for her while she skips the lessons. Plus, Morgan has to be sure Aldeen gets her badge, even if he has to steal it.
Emily Cook - Children's Literature
Morgan, a young boy whose story begins at a class pool party, is self-conscious and unable to swim. He manages to hide this and his "jiggly" belly for the duration of the party, despite being thrown into the pool and having to deal with the class bully, a young girl named Aldeen. After the party, Morgan's mom informs him that before summer camp, he is going to need swimming lessons. Despite the fact that the idea of swim lessons makes Morgan cringe, he shows up for his first swim class. Morgan is mortified to find that what was originally a somewhat daunting experience has become his worst nightmare as Aldeen is also registered in the same class. In the class, Morgan and Aldeen must learn to get along and he is forced to put aside his fears and learn to swim. He also finds that the other kids think he is pretty funny, too, and becomes the "class clown" of swim class. I liked the fact that Morgan has faced his fears and feels pretty great about his well-earned achievement. However, despite the positive outcome of this story, I found several instances—such as one of lying by an adult and another where Aldeen has Morgan cheat for her—very disconcerting. Also, the emphasis on Morgan's weight was excessive, given the self-image issues many kids face these days. Unfortunately, what could have been a great book was just mediocre due to these flaws. 2004, Formac Publishing Company Limited, Ages 7 to 9.
Editorials
Children's Literature
Morgan, a young boy whose story begins at a class pool party, is self-conscious and unable to swim. He manages to hide this and his "jiggly" belly for the duration of the party, despite being thrown into the pool and having to deal with the class bully, a young girl named Aldeen. After the party, Morgan's mom informs him that before summer camp, he is going to need swimming lessons. Despite the fact that the idea of swim lessons makes Morgan cringe, he shows up for his first swim class. Morgan is mortified to find that what was originally a somewhat daunting experience has become his worst nightmare as Aldeen is also registered in the same class. In the class, Morgan and Aldeen must learn to get along and he is forced to put aside his fears and learn to swim. He also finds that the other kids think he is pretty funny, too, and becomes the "class clown" of swim class. I liked the fact that Morgan has faced his fears and feels pretty great about his well-earned achievement. However, despite the positive outcome of this story, I found several instances—such as one of lying by an adult and another where Aldeen has Morgan cheat for her—very disconcerting. Also, the emphasis on Morgan's weight was excessive, given the self-image issues many kids face these days. Unfortunately, what could have been a great book was just mediocre due to these flaws. 2004, Formac Publishing Company Limited, Ages 7 to 9.—Emily Cook