Jabari jumps

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English

Description

Working up the courage to take a big, important leap is hard, but Jabari is almost absolutely ready to make a giant splash.Jabari is definitely ready to jump off the diving board. He’s finished his swimming lessons and passed his swim test, and he’s a great jumper, so he’s not scared at all. “Looks easy,” says Jabari, watching the other kids take their turns. But when his dad squeezes his hand, Jabari squeezes back. He needs to figure out what kind of special jump to do anyway, and he should probably do some stretches before climbing up onto the diving board. In a sweetly appealing tale of overcoming your fears, newcomer Gaia Cornwall captures a moment between a patient and encouraging father and a determined little boy you can’t help but root for.

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Contributors
Cornwall, Gaia Illustrator, Author
Myles, Jonathan narrator
Vox books
ISBN
9780763678388
9781948381192
9781536220674

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Also in this Series

  • Jabari jumps (Jabari Volume ) Cover
  • Jabari tries (Jabari Volume ) Cover

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Similar Series From Novelist

NoveList provides detailed suggestions for series you might like if you enjoyed this book. Suggestions are based on recommendations from librarians and other contributors.
Determined protagonists work to better themselves, achieve specific goals, and overcome obstacles in these upbeat picture books. Both series also show the importance of familial support as the title characters draw on their families when needed. -- Alicia Evans
These series have the theme "overcoming fear"; the genre "picture books for children"; and the subjects "diving," "courage," and "swimming pools."
These series have the theme "overcoming fear"; and the subjects "diving," "swimming pools," and "boys."
These series have the theme "overcoming fear"; the genre "picture books for children"; and the subjects "diving," "courage," and "swimming pools."
These series have the appeal factors upbeat, and they have the genre "picture books for children"; the subjects "courage," "boys," and "courage in children"; and illustrations that are "fanciful illustrations."
These series have the theme "overcoming fear"; the genre "picture books for children"; and the subject "fear in children."
These series have the theme "overcoming fear"; the genres "picture books for children" and "easy readers"; and the subjects "courage," "families," and "boys."
These series have the genres "picture books for children" and "easy readers"; and the subjects "diving," "swimming pools," and "boys."
These series have the genres "picture books for children" and "easy readers"; and the subjects "courage" and "courage in children."

Similar Titles From NoveList

NoveList provides detailed suggestions for titles you might like if you enjoyed this book. Suggestions are based on recommendations from librarians and other contributors.
Courageous Black kids conquer their fears with the help of their dads in these inspiring stories about learning to learning to ride a bike (Together We Ride) and diving into the pool (Jabari Jumps). -- Basia Wilson
In these feel-good issue-oriented picture books with streamlined texts and softly glowing artwork, boys overcome their fears to engage in desired activities. Anthropomorphic Little Pup goes down the big park slide; human Jabari jumps off the high diving board. -- NoveList Advisor
Starring a talking dinosaur (We Don't Lose) and a young swimmer (Jabari Jumps), these picture books tackle fear in a lighthearted manner. Readers will appreciate the amusing tone of We Don't Lose and the upbeat nature of Jabari Jumps. -- Basia Wilson
The heroes of these picture books face big steps and falls they're not sure they're ready for in these feel-good stories perfect for young readers who need a confidence boost. Jabari is realistic, while Leaf has anthropomorphic leaf characters. -- NoveList Contributor
Little kids bravely take on scary milestones in both picture books about courage. Jumping off the high dive makes for a challenging day for Jabari; Ming needs about a year before she's ready to go down the big red slide. -- Autumn Winters
Fatherly encouragement means everything in these upbeat, realistic picture books about African American boys and their dads. -- NoveList Contributor
Preparing to jump off the high dive and balancing confidence with apprehension is the focus in these boldly illustrated books about boys of color (Black in Jabari; Maori in Cannonball). -- Hannah Gomez
Whether it's a kid braving the diving board (Jabari Jumps) or a dog braving the waves on the beach (There Might Be Lobsters), these feel-good stories of aquatic courage will resonate with timid young readers. -- Rebecca Honeycutt
Kids face their fears of climbing trees (Lou) or the high dive (Jabari) in these upbeat picture books. While Jabari successfully jumps and Lou is not quite ready, both books celebrate kids willing to try something new and scary. -- NoveList Contributor
My best friend - Rodman, Mary Ann
The community pool is the setting for both warm picture books featuring African American kids facing tough emotions. Jabari is afraid to jump off the diving board; Lily (Friend) is rejected by older girls she desperately wants to befriend. -- Autumn Winters
With aqueous colored, attention-grabbing artwork and spare, assured writing showcasing loving, supportive Black families, young children overcome their fears to triumph at swimming pools. These upbeat picture books show Jabari diving or Together's unnamed boy taking freestyle strokes. -- NoveList Advisor
Kids who are anxious about swimming may find encouragement from these upbeat picture books about aquatic milestones: the child in 1, 2, 3, Jump! makes it through a swimming lesson; Jabari braves the diving board. -- Rebecca Honeycutt

Similar Authors From NoveList

NoveList provides detailed suggestions for other authors you might want to read if you enjoyed this book. Suggestions are based on recommendations from librarians and other contributors.
These authors' works have the subjects "courage," "boys," and "courage in children"; and illustrations that are "textured illustrations."
These authors' works have the appeal factors upbeat and amusing, and they have the genre "picture books for children"; the subjects "boys," "problem solving," and "girls"; and illustrations that are "textured illustrations."
These authors' works have the subjects "diving," "courage," and "swimming pools."
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These authors' works have the appeal factors upbeat, and they have the genre "picture books for children"; and the subjects "boys" and "girls."
These authors' works have the appeal factors upbeat and sweet, and they have the genre "picture books for children"; and the subjects "boys," "animals," and "imagination in children."
These authors' works have the appeal factors upbeat, sweet, and amusing, and they have the subjects "bedtime," "animals," and "imagination in children."
These authors' works have the genre "picture books for children"; and the subjects "diving," "swimming pools," and "boys."
These authors' works have the genre "picture books for children"; and the subjects "boys" and "children."
These authors' works have the appeal factors upbeat, sweet, and feel-good, and they have the genre "picture books for children"; and the subjects "diving," "swimming pools," and "boys."
These authors' works have the appeal factors upbeat, sweet, and feel-good, and they have the subjects "diving," "courage," and "swimming pools."
These authors' works have the appeal factors sweet, and they have the subjects "courage," "courage in children," and "children"; and include the identity "unspecified people of color."

Published Reviews

Booklist Review

Jabari has decided: today is the day he will jump off the high dive. But when he and his father and sister arrive at the pool, he's suddenly not quite so sure. He gets in line, but then lets the other kids go ahead of him. He gets halfway up the ladder, but then scurries back down to do stretches. His father lets him know it's OK to be scared, and before Jabari knows it, he has jumped off the high dive with a huge, satisfying splash. This is a small, well-told story about a child working up the courage to do something difficult. The dialogue and text are straightforward and make a nice pairing with the creatively chosen angles for the illustrations. One particularly effective full-page illustration is from Jabari's point of view, standing on top of the diving board and looking down past his tiny brown toes to the blue rectangular pool below, truly capturing the book's pivotal moment. In all, a welcome piece for any summertime collection.--Worthington, Becca Copyright 2017 Booklist

From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
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Publisher's Weekly Review

An African-American boy works up the courage to leap from the high dive in Cornwall's warm and genuine debut. "I'm a great jumper... so I'm not scared at all!" announces Jabari as he arrives at an outdoor city pool with his father and sister. "Looks easy," he adds as he watches kids jump from the towering board, but "when his dad squeezed his hand, Jabari squeezed back." With understated humor and plenty of understanding, Cornwall reveals Jabari's transparent excuses for delaying his ascent up the ladder: he must think about what "special jump" he will do, take a "tiny rest," and stretch. Finally, after words of encouragement from his patient father, Jabari makes the climb and braves the jump, a sequence viewed from various perspectives that amplify his accomplishment. A daunting gaze downward, past Jabari's toes that curl around the edge of the board, makes the water look incredibly far away, and when seen from behind, he seems as high up as the skyscrapers in the distance. It's a lovely, knowing account of a big "first" in a child's life. Ages 4-8. (May) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.

(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
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School Library Journal Review

PreS-Gr 2-An African American boy and his baby sister and father head to an urban community pool. Jabari has completed his swim lessons and tests and is ready to jump off a diving board. In his zigzag swim trunks and swim goggles, the boy tells his dad that diving looks easy. But when he stands at the ladder and looks up, up, and up at the diving board, he starts stalling for time, saying that he has other things to do before he can make the big leap. His father reassures him that it is OK to be scared, encourages him to take deep breaths, and tells him that he might just be surprised. With renewed determination, Jabari climbs the ladder and jumps into the pool. He's flying and splashing and sinking down and swimming back up and he's done it! Jabari is a great jumper. Just enough conversational text accompanies each illustration, including several smaller vignettes on a single page that help build suspense. Mixed-media images in serene muted colors, high-rise buildings above the tree line, and the intriguing addition of faded newsprint accents strengthen the urban feel of the illustrations. VERDICT Jabari's story will help assuage the fears kids experience when faced with a new and daunting adventure. A terrific seasonal storytime read-aloud that's perfect for one-on-one sharing.-Mindy Hiatt, Salt Lake County Library Services © Copyright 2017. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
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Horn Book Review

Jabari is a spirited little boy with a pretty big mission: after finishing his swimming lessons and passing his test, hes ready to jump off the diving board at the community pool! Before he jumps, however, Jabari decides it would be kind if he let all the children behind him in line jump first. And it would be important to stop and plan his special jump. And prudent to stretch. Finally, Jabari admits that he might be a littlescared. Luckily, our young hero has a support system: loving encouragement from his father and baby sister (who never says a word, but smiles reassuringly). His dad helps Jabari get ready to take the plunge: Its okay to feel a little scaredSometimes if I feel a little scared, I take a deep breath and tell myself I am ready. And you know what? Sometimes it stops being scary and feels a little like a surprise. The natural-sounding dialogue between Jabari and his gentle, observant father is paired with watercolor and collage illustrations that perfectly depict a hazy summer day. The varied perspectives bring readers into Jabaris journey, from our view of his toes curled around the edge of the diving board to his view of the city. (Dad is present in each scene). Against a backdrop of warm brown skin tones and cool aqua water, debut author-illustrator Cornwall presents an empowering and celebratory story. Young readers will root for Jabari as he prepares to take a leap of faith. eboni njoku (c) Copyright 2017. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
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Kirkus Book Review

Young Jabari decides today is the day he is going to jump from the diving board, even though it's a little high and a little scary. Jabari's father and baby sister accompany him to the swimming pool in the city, where Jabari has already made up his mind about today's goal: jumping off the diving board. "I'm a great jumper," he says, "so I'm not scared at all." But that's not entirely true. Readers see Jabari play the waiting game as the other children (a diverse bunch) make their ways past him in line. Once Jabari finally begins to climb up, he slyly remembers that he forgot to "stretch." The stalling techniques don't faze his dad, who sees an opportunity for a life lesson. "It's okay to feel a little scared," offers his dad at the side of the pool. With renewed will, Jabari returns to the towering diving board, ready to embrace the feat. In her debut, Cornwall places her loving black family at the center, coloring the swimming pool and park beyond in minty hues and adding whimsy with digitally collaged newspaper for skyscrapers. A bird's-eye view of Jabari's toes clinging to the edge of the diving board as he looks way, way down at the blue pool below puts readers in his head and in the action. This simple and sincere tale of working up courage to face fears makes quite a splash. (Picture book. 4-7) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
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Booklist Reviews

Jabari has decided: today is the day he will jump off the high dive. But when he and his father and sister arrive at the pool, he's suddenly not quite so sure. He gets in line, but then lets the other kids go ahead of him. He gets halfway up the ladder, but then scurries back down to do stretches. His father lets him know it's OK to be scared, and before Jabari knows it, he has jumped off the high dive with a huge, satisfying splash. This is a small, well-told story about a child working up the courage to do something difficult. The dialogue and text are straightforward and make a nice pairing with the creatively chosen angles for the illustrations. One particularly effective full-page illustration is from Jabari's point of view, standing on top of the diving board and looking down past his tiny brown toes to the blue rectangular pool below, truly capturing the book's pivotal moment. In all, a welcome piece for any summertime collection. Copyright 2017 Booklist Reviews.

Copyright 2017 Booklist Reviews.
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Publishers Weekly Reviews

An African-American boy works up the courage to leap from the high dive in Cornwall's warm and genuine debut. "I'm a great jumper... so I'm not scared at all!" announces Jabari as he arrives at an outdoor city pool with his father and sister. "Looks easy," he adds as he watches kids jump from the towering board, but "when his dad squeezed his hand, Jabari squeezed back." With understated humor and plenty of understanding, Cornwall reveals Jabari's transparent excuses for delaying his ascent up the ladder: he must think about what "special jump" he will do, take a "tiny rest," and stretch. Finally, after words of encouragement from his patient father, Jabari makes the climb and braves the jump, a sequence viewed from various perspectives that amplify his accomplishment. A daunting gaze downward, past Jabari's toes that curl around the edge of the board, makes the water look incredibly far away, and when seen from behind, he seems as high up as the skyscrapers in the distance. It's a lovely, knowing account of a big "first" in a child's life. Ages 4–8. (May)

Copyright 2017 Publisher Weekly.

Copyright 2017 Publisher Weekly.
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School Library Journal Reviews

PreS-Gr 2—An African American boy and his baby sister and father head to an urban community pool. Jabari has completed his swim lessons and tests and is ready to jump off a diving board. In his zigzag swim trunks and swim goggles, the boy tells his dad that diving looks easy. But when he stands at the ladder and looks up, up, and up at the diving board, he starts stalling for time, saying that he has other things to do before he can make the big leap. His father reassures him that it is OK to be scared, encourages him to take deep breaths, and tells him that he might just be surprised. With renewed determination, Jabari climbs the ladder and jumps into the pool. He's flying and splashing and sinking down and swimming back up and he's done it! Jabari is a great jumper. Just enough conversational text accompanies each illustration, including several smaller vignettes on a single page that help build suspense. Mixed-media images in serene muted colors, high-rise buildings above the tree line, and the intriguing addition of faded newsprint accents strengthen the urban feel of the illustrations. VERDICT Jabari's story will help assuage the fears kids experience when faced with a new and daunting adventure. A terrific seasonal storytime read-aloud that's perfect for one-on-one sharing.—Mindy Hiatt, Salt Lake County Library Services

Copyright 2017 School Library Journal.

Copyright 2017 School Library Journal.
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