Cannonball

This distinctive story of summer fun and growth, set within a culture underrepresented on North American shelves, carries a universal message of listening to one's own heart and being oneself when the world tries to tell you how and who to be.

Striking...this story's message for kids to be true to themselves is one that bears repeating.

K-Gr 3—In this story of resilience, a young boy in New Zealand just wants to perform a perfect cannonball into the swimming pool. The unnamed boy has studied how others prepare for their jump and got advice from his Nan. Despite the boy's best efforts to seem confident, fear gets in the way and prevents him from making the jump. Morgan surrounds an image of the young boy in utter darkness as he walks away with his head down in defeat. Just when it seems all hope is lost, Nan steps in and encourages him to listen to what's inside himself and try it his way. His confidence begins to build and he is able to perform a successful cannonball. The images are bright and detailed. VERDICT Recommended for purchase. Along with the expressive images, the story will resonate with those learning how to navigate the emotional minefield of turning a failure into a success.—Katie Callahan, Montgomery County Public Sch., MD

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