A new entry into the early chapter book category, Julia on the Go! Swimming into Trouble by Angela Ahn and Julie Kim enters the discussion with a wonderful story about patience.

Julia is on the Vipers Swim Team. She LOVES swimming and if she could be a fish she probably would be. When she develops an ear infection right before PBD (Personal Best Day), her favourite day of the swim season, she struggles with having to take time away from the pool and her passion.

Many readers will be able to relate to Julia in this story. When you love something so fiercely it’s really hard to take a break. In this story, readers learn the importance of self care and patience. The story is also quite funny as Julia tries everything she can to get back into the pool including messing with some industrial strength sticky stuff.

I really appreciated how Angela Ahn was able to capture all of the frustration of not being able to compete and be in the pool while also providing an empathetic narrative from the adults in Julia’s life. The story doesn’t feel condescending and matter of fact. There are many adults in the story that gently help Julia come to accept the reality of her situation and find ways to be sure that she can still be included in the festivities. 

I loved how the whole community centre felt like a little village. With Julia and her family being there all the time, the other people who work at the centre become Julia’s support system and become the other safe adults in her life to help her through challenges. That community spirit permeates the whole story and does lead to all hands on deck when it really counts.

The illustrations by Julie Kim are fantastic. They perfectly break up the text giving readers those necessary breaks when they are just starting to read longer narrative. The font was large and chapters short keeping the story moving at the perfect pace. I hope to see more Julia on the Go! stories in the future.