Review by Gabrielle Tselos
Simon & Schuster. 2023.
48 pages. Hardcover. CAN$23.99. 9781534499249.
Picture Book. Ages 4-8.
Fiction
‘STOP! SUNBLOCK!’ Like a fish out of water, I’m suddenly flopping, flailing, straining toward the pool’s edge as Mom coats me from head to pinky toe in slippery, slimy sunblock.
Our Pool is a children’s picture book that depicts a sunny day at the local city pool, and all the fun that comes along with it. It highlights a time of unity for the protagonist’s city as they see people of all backgrounds join together on a sunny day. Not only is the storyline entertaining, but there are also numerous literary devices used to keep young readers on their tiptoes.
The storyline follows a young child and their mother as they go to their bustling community pool. There, it shows the many activities that the community engages in, as well as the aftermath of a long day in the sun: a trip to the ice cream truck! With such an engaging and energetic topic, the underlying message of acceptance and community is integrated so perfectly by Cummins. We see how this young child enjoys playing with everyone at the pool, and, of course, how their supportive mother frequently checks in to remind them to put on sunscreen and eat lunch. Here, there is an added message of the importance for children to keep near their parents or trusted adults in large crowds, even if they are busy playing.
The drawings, also done by the author, are bright and friendly. The pictures show swimmers of all races, ages, sizes, and cultures. This reveals to young readers that we all have shared interests, even when we may seem different on the outside. I particularly enjoyed the page that shows many swimmers doing handstands, and all you can see is their different skin tones and various foot sizes. The arrangement of text around the pictures is also a fun and interactive way to keep the reader’s attention.
Our Pool is an amazing depiction of summer in a big city and the fun we can have when we spend time with our neighbourhood. Full of all the amusement that comes with a summer day, Our Pool is a wonderful story to bring some sunshine onto your bookshelf.
This review was written by Gabrielle Tselos. Gabrielle is a 3rd year psychology student at UBC, who hopes to minor in creative writing. She enjoys writing, baking, and taking photos in her free time.
YOUNG ADULTING 