Swimming in Action. (Sports in Action). John Crossingham & Niki Walker. Illustrations by Bonna Rouse. St. Catharines, ON: Crabtree, 2003. 32 pp., pbk. & cl., $8.06 (pbk.), $19.96 (cl.). ISBN 0-7787-0351-7 (pbk.), ISBN 0-7787-0331-2 (cl.). Subject Headings: Swimming-Juvenile literature. Diving-Juvenile literature. Grades 3-6 / Ages 8-11. Review by Glenys Martin. *** /4

excerpt:

Over the years, people have developed many styles of swimming. Strokes are the fastest, easiest ways of moving through water. A stroke is a combination of body position, arm and leg movements, and breathing patterns. There are four competitive strokes- freestyle, breaststroke, backstroke, and butterfly. There are also two leisure strokes - sidestroke and elementary backstroke.

Swimming in Action is meant as an introduction to swimming. It has bright pictures that give directions for the various strokes and movements in water. There is information provide so that you can safely enjoy this sport. The authors provide detail on the competitive side of this sport, and, also on the fun side, a number of pool games are described. This book provides a good basic understanding for a beginning athletic in the sport of swimming. There is a section that explains, with diagrams, how to do warm ups before entering the pool. It could be used as a resource for adults assisting young athletics in developing the correct movement for each stroke. Each diagram includes a clear written explanation. It discusses the language of the sport and gives examples of what is expected from the athlete. Swimming in Action would be an excellent reference resource for a school library. The creators of this non-fiction book consulted with the program and services director for USA Swimming.

     The text, which is presented in short paragraphs, utilizes a large print. All information is supported by a visual with some of these illustrations being photographs. The book's information is broken into 15 sections with each providing information about a specific aspect of swimming. Like other volumes in the series, Swimming in Action contains a table of contents, a glossary and an index.

Recommended.

Glenys Martin is a teacher at W.P.Sandin Composite high school in Shellbrook, SK.

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Published by The Manitoba Library Association ISSN 1201-9364

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