Olympic stories were on my radar and when I read about Soichi Sakamoto and his swim team in Maui in the 1930s, I knew I wanted to tell the story. An author’s note with photos and more information tell the fuller story of Soichi Sakamoto and his Three-Year Swim Club.Ĭoach Sakamoto’s story came to my attention in 2017 as I searched for an idea to work on during a month-long nonfiction writing workshop. 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. 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. The stunning art of award-winning and highly acclaimed Chris Sasaki perfectly complements the lyrical storytelling.

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. And then one day, the proud Sakamoto saw an impossible dream come true - Olympic gold! They formed a swim club and began to dominate in swimming events around the world. The children worked hard under the dedicated Sakamoto’s guidance, and their skills improved. 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. He offered to take responsibility for the children - and then he began training them how to swim. 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. 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. Sharing on Facebook, Twitter or reblogging really helps spread the word for a new book. If you follow my blog and have it delivered daily, let me know in the comments so I can put the right amount of tickets in my basket for you. Just let me know how you shared the good news. Just leave a comment, reblog, tweet, or talk about it on Facebook with a link and you will get additional chances to win.

They have agreed to share a copy with one lucky winner living in the United States. Julie Abery has written a new picture book, SAKAMOTO’S SWIM CLUB, illustrated Chris Sasaki and published by Kids Can Press.

Yusra Swims by Julie Abery