Jabari Jumps
By (Author) Gaia Cornwall
Illustrated by Gaia Cornwall
Walker Books Ltd
Walker Books Ltd
1st June 2018
7th June 2018
United Kingdom
Children
Fiction
Winner of Charlotte Zolotow Award Honor Book 2018 (United States)
Paperback
32
Width 288mm, Height 250mm, Spine 4mm
220g
Working up the courage to take a big, important leap is hard, but Jabari is almost absolutely ready to make a giant splash.
Jabari is definitely ready to jump off the diving board. Hes finished his swimming lessons and passed his swimming test, and hes a great jumper, so hes not scared at all. Looks easy, says Jabari, watching the other kids take their turns. But when his dad squeezes his hand, Jabari squeezes back. He needs to figure out what kind of special jump to do anyway, and he should probably do some stretches before climbing up onto the diving board...
In a sweet tale of overcoming your fears, debut author-illustrator Gaia Cornwall captures a moment at the swimming pool between a patient and encouraging father and a determined little boy you cant help but root for.
This gently humorous, building up the courage to embrace your fear book is sure to resonate with both children and adults alike: most of us have been there with Jabaris dad, either as parent or teacher, as a child takes that plunge into the unknown: the idea of treating it as a surprise is superb and will definitely ensure that wherever this is shared, it will create a pretty big SPLASH!. * Red Reading Hub *
A tender portrait of a parent gently guiding their child to process intertwined feelings of apprehension and excitement. The gentle text makes effective use of rhythm and repetition, while the soft mixed media illustrations play with perspective, enabling the reader to empathise with Jabaris shifting emotions. * Children's Books Ireland - Mind Yourself *
The build up of suspense is excellent. The reader cant help but will Jabari on and will have all the happy feels when he achieves what he sets out to. * Books That Help *
Gaia Cornwall is an illustrator who loves making patterns for surface design. Her work can be seen in magazines, in logos, on various products, and even in movies. Jabari Jumps is her first picture book. She lives in the USA, in Rhode Island. Find her online at gaiacornwall.com and on Twitter as @GaiaCC.