Sakamoto's swim club : how a teacher led an unlikely team to victory / written by Julie Abery ; illustrated by Chris Sasaki.
Material type:
TextPublisher: Toronto : Kids Can Press, [2021]Description: 1 volume (unpaged) : color illustrations ; 23 x 27 cmContent type: - text
- still image
- unmediated
- volume
- 9781525300318
- 1525300318
- Sakamoto, Soichi, 1906-1997 -- Juvenile literature
- Olympic Games (14th : 1948 : London, England) -- Juvenile literature
- Swimming coaches -- Hawaii -- Maui -- Juvenile literature
- Swim teams -- Hawaii -- Maui -- History -- Juvenile literature
- Swimming -- Hawaii -- Maui -- History -- Juvenile literature
- Swimmers -- Hawaii -- Maui -- Biography -- Juvenile literature
- Japanese American children -- Hawaii -- Maui -- Juvenile literature
- Maui (Hawaii) -- History -- 20th century -- Juvenile literature
| Item type | Home library | Collection | Call number | Materials specified | Status | Date due | Barcode | Item holds | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Children's Book
|
Dr. James Carlson Library | Children's NonFiction | 797.2106 A147 | Available | 33111009809019 | ||||
|
Children's Book
|
Main Library | Children's NonFiction | 797.2106 A147 | Available | 33111010515241 |
Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:
The inspirational and little-known story of a dedicated teacher who coached Hawaiian swimmers all the way to the Olympics, beautifully told in simple rhyme.
When the children of workers on a 1930s Maui sugar plantation were chased away from playing in the nearby irrigation ditches, local science teacher Soichi Sakamoto had an idea. He offered to take responsibility for the children -- and then he began training them how to swim. Using his science background, Sakamoto devised his own innovative coaching techniques: he developed a strict practice regime for the kids, building their strength and endurance by using the ditch water's natural current. The children worked hard under the dedicated Sakamoto's guidance, and their skills improved. They formed a swim club and began to dominate in swimming events around the world. And then one day, the proud Sakamoto saw an impossible dream come true -- Olympic gold!
In a unique approach that makes for a moving read-aloud, Julie Abery uses limited rhyming text to tell the little-known story of Coach Sakamoto and the Three-Year Swim Club. The stunning art of award-winning and highly acclaimed Chris Sasaki perfectly complements the lyrical storytelling. This inspiring picture book offers excellent lessons in perseverance, believing in yourself and not letting others define you, while wonderfully capturing how one person can make a huge difference in the lives of others. In highlighting the team's "bright and loud" presence at events, with their Hawaiian dress and ukulele, it also encourages children to take pride in their heritage and view it as a strength. An author's note with photos and more information tell the fuller story of Soichi Sakamoto and his Three-Year Swim Club.
Includes bibliographical references (page [40]).
"The true story of science teacher Soichi Sakamoto, who formed a champion swim club consisting of the Hawaiian and Japanese children of impoverished sugarcane workers in the 1930s. Without a proper pool to swim in, Sakamoto trained his team in irrigation ditches and coached the kids to swim against the natural current, building up the swimmers' strength and endurance. The team overcame seemingly insurmountable obstacles and surged onto the national swimming scene, dominating events both in the United States and across the world. Almost lost to history, the sugar ditch kids' story is an inspiration to athletes around the world."-- Provided by publisher.