“Wendy Willow Water Ballerina” by Diane Garcia

• 07/23/2020
• 1 comment

Wendy Willow Water Ballerina
Diane Garcia
Independently Published (2018)
ISBN: 9781729644003          
Reviewed by Lydia Dehning (age 6) for Reader Views Kids (7/2020)

“Wendy Willow Water Ballerina: A Story about Synchronized Swimming” by Diane Garcia is the story of a girl named Wendy who joined a synchronized swimming group when she was little. She already loved to swim and she loved to dance, so she was excited when she was told about a synchronized swimming group. Wendy joined the swimming group with her younger sister. After some practicing during the summer, Wendy’s group was told that they would be dancing to a song for an audience at the end of the summer! Wendy was excited, but then a little nervous. Her older sister also got to do something in the show too. Wendy learned that synchronized swimming was something that she loved to do and it made her feel really good about herself, which she learned is called self-confidence.

This is a fun book to read because the story is nice. I like that she got to join a group that she liked and where she made friends. The pictures are pretty and show what synchronized swimming is really like. I think I would like to do synchronized swimming. My mom said that there is a website that parents can go on to find groups to join that is mentioned in the book. I think that kids of any age will like this story, especially girls of any age who like to swim, dance, or make new friends.

Note from Mom: I like this book because it has a great message for kids about stepping out of your comfort zone and trying something new, even if it makes you feel nervous at first. With practice, you’re capable of much more than you originally think. I was impressed with the illustrations and enjoyed the calming colors on the pages. I might have to check into some of the resources that Diane Garcia includes in her book for Lydia.