Swimmy

By Leo Lionni

Copyright 1963

The story of Swimmy, a little black fish among many, many little red fish was a Caldecott Honor book in 1964, the same year Where the Wild Things Are won the prize.

Swimmy was a much faster fish than all his little red siblings.  Fortunately, that meant he was able to outswim the giant tuna that came after them.  Unfortunately, none of his slower brothers and sisters could, so Swimmy was left by himself.  He traveled on all alone and saw some amazing sights.  He swam by beautiful sea anemones, a marvelous jelly fish, and a forest of seaweeds, growing from sugar candy rocks.  As amazing as the sights were, he was so happy when he came across another school of little red fish, just like his own.  

All those little red fish wanted to do was hide among the rocks.  They knew the giant fish were out there ready to eat them up.  What could Swimmy do to help?  Fortunately, he was quite the innovative problem solver!  He taught his new friends to swim in the formation of a giant fish, with Swimmy himself as the eye.  That way, they were able to scare all those big bullies away.

Swimmy teaches valuable lessons.

We are safer when we band together.

Community matters.

Be yourself – but be part of a community.