PPBF: The Bathing Costume

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BathingCover

Author: Charlotte Moundlic
Illustrator: Olivier Tallec
Publisher: Enchanted Lion, 2013
Ages: 5-8yrs
Themes: swim suits, relatives, summer vacation
Opening: In a month, my family, will be moving. So my parents have decided that this summer I’ll go away kind of on my own, which means without Mama.
Summary: (from my library catalog) A Batchelder Honor book: On his first vacation without his parents, eight-year-old Myron faces a scary grandfather, teasing older cousins, his first dive off the ten-foot board, and his grandmother’s encouragement to write his mother daily, telling her of his adventures. (Kirkus review) 

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I like this book because: the first-person story is so familiar! It brings back nights spent away from home, for emergencies or holidays, and my first experience diving off the high board. Terrific for any kid who has ever spent time with friends or relatives, with or without their own parents. The text is long for a picture book by American trends, reads more like a chapter book, but it’s a picture book format, and definitely fits my criteria for a PPBF pick. The composition of the color spreads is sparse but richly atmospheric.

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Resources/activities: discuss the history of swimsuit fashion – info HERE; discuss personal fears and how one might or may have overcome them.

For more Perfect Picture Book picks with teacher/parent resources, check out the list on Susanna Hill’s blog HERE

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36 thoughts on “PPBF: The Bathing Costume”

  2. Oh, I need to find this one as Enzo will be away from Mama and with grandparents and older cousins in July, while I attend the WOW retreat.

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  5. Oh, I’d spent many (non-scary) wonderful days with my relatives – grandparents, cousins, aunts and uncles – without my parents when I was little. My kids only have 2 cousins who are not close in age and live too far so they never got to experience this sort of thing, whether scary or fun.

    Hah…the bathing suit fashions…love it! 🙂

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  9. I haven’t heard the words “bathing costume” since we moved back from the UK. The first time I heard it I thought my kids needed costumes to swim, lol! It’s interesting that Enchanted Lion kept that phrasing for the American Market. Guess I have to read to find out why.

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  10. What a beautiful cover. Love the illustrations! Perfect book to launch the summer season. Camps and visiting family. This will be a winner with kids. I sure remember that 10 ft diving board. Never did get the nerve to dive – could only muster the courage to jump. Thanks for sharing!

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  14. This book sounds great, Julie! I was 6 the first time I went away to visit a friend a couple of hours from home and oh boy! was I homesick! I had a great time, but I was glad to get home 🙂 Thanks for adding this one to our list – it’s a topic we don’t have a lot on!

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