John Crossingham

I like this informational text about lacrosse for two reasons. First, I like the text features that it includes such as illustrations, labels, table of contents, and glossary as these features make it easy to navigate the book. I also like the simplistic language and clear descriptions that the author used to teach young readers about lacrosse. Its short sentences and easy to process words make reading this informational text and comprehending easy for a young crowd.

I was asked by a patron for picture books on swimming - she's getting ready to teach her four year old to swim and was looking for "how to swim" books. Hmm. It turned out to be really hard to find how to swim books for very young children. There are quite a few (really, really bad - seriously you don't want to know) on water safety, but on actual swimming? This is what I came up with trolling through other library's catalogs. Let's Swim! by Carol Lindeen is a pretty pathetic picturebook. show more There are only 24 pages, including back matter. A table of contents, glossary, further reading, and index for basically 20 pages of text seems a bit ridiculous. The text features such gems as "Swimmers jump and dive into deep water. Then they swim back to the edge." opposite stock photographs. The text would make a decent easy reader and the photography isn't bad, but it's certainly not worth a $24 library bound edition, which is the only format it's available in. I know authors have to write these things to a set of guidelines, but the guidelines for this just aren't what I'm looking for.

ISBN: 978-0736853675; Published January 2006 by Capstone (Pebble); Borrowed from the library

The next title, Let's Talk Swimming by Amanda Miller is actually intended to be an easy reader. Set in the context of a race, this book talks about different strokes, practicing kicking, swimwear, and gives instructions on how to do a flip turn. This would make a good easy reader and probably a fine introduction for a small child, but I don't generally shell out $20 for an easy reader.

ISBN: 978-0531204252; Published September 2008 by Children's Press; Borrowed from the library

Swimming in Action by John Crossingham and Niki Walker is the most detailed of these three books and one that I think might actually work. It opens with a brief history of swimming, some water safety, and a guide to a typical pool. It lists equipment, and how to get started with breathing instructions, stretching, and treading water. It gives instructions for various simple strokes and touches on racing and pool games. There is also a brief glossary and index. This isn't quite what my patron wanted; she was looking for something aimed at a much younger child, but the clear illustrations and photographs should give a little one an idea of what they'll be doing in the pool and a parent can easily adapt the text for a younger listener. This will also be a good introduction for older readers, so I'll be covering a variety of audiences at only $13, which is quite reasonable.

ISBN: 978-0778703518; Published October 2002 by Crabtree; Borrowed from the library; Purchased for the library

Do you have any favorite swimming picturebooks? Alternate suggestions? I'd be glad to hear if you have anything better than these options. show less

Lacrosse in Action, written by John Crossingham, was a wonderful book. I really enjoyed this book because it was very relatable to my life, as well as it had multiple textual features that really made it easy to read. The book’s main topic was to inform the general public about the important aspects of lacrosse. For example, the book talked about the way you are supposed to carry the stick when you have the ball and when you do not have the ball. This book also explains the correct show more position for each and every player on the field. This book is full of great information for a young student athlete looking to pick up a new sport. The reason I enjoyed this book so much is because it made it easy for a reader like me, someone who likes visual representations, to understand because of all the diagrams the author included in the book. For example, the book includes a picture of how a player should carry the ball, as well as explaining it in words also. Another reason I enjoyed this book is because the author does not just use basic words that the reader will understand, he uses technical lacrosse words like cradle, pivot, crease, and many more which adds more to the book and introduces words that lacrosse players will need to know. This is a great informational book and I really enjoyed reading it. show less

I liked the book Lacrosse in Action because of this writing style and illustrations. The writing is very organized. There is a table of contents to guide readers to specific topics and breaks things up into small chunks on the page. For example, in the table of contents one can be directed to Boys field lacrosse versus girls and to the essentials of lacrosse. Additionally, the illustrations heavily contribute to the reader's understanding. Without the diagrams and pictures it would be hard show more to understand what the book is describing from the game of lacrosse. For example, the different field positions, and differences in boys and girls lacrosse. There are also pictures of how to the lacrosse stick. The big idea of this book is to teach the reader all about lacrosse. show less