Jabari Jumps

Product Information

This review was written by Jon Biddle Jon Biddle has been in a teacher in Newham and Norfolk for the past twenty years. In Jabari Jumps (Candlewick, ages 4-8) Gaia Cornwall brings to vivid life this moment for one little boy…For young listeners, this lovely book is a reminder that the best summers have both challenging surprises and fun. I picked it out because he’s been hesitant to go in the water or participate in his swimming lessons.

JABARI JUMPS | Kirkus Reviews JABARI JUMPS | Kirkus Reviews

But making it go fromCRASHtoWHOOSHwill take grit, patience, and maybe even a little help from his sister. Jabari finally built up the courage to walk to the bottom of the ladder, but when he looked up and saw how tall it was fear overcame him…but he didn’t want anyone to know he was scared.A teacher may use this book to initiate a discussion on little successes, overcoming fears, communication with and reliance on a supportive adult. A child and her moms go on a pre-bedtime journey across the world exploring how all kinds of animals sleep. Jabari Jumps is a cute book in which a little boy name Jabari is going to show is dad that he can jump off the diving board, even though it's so high up. It provides several opportunities for children to make predictions, alongside chances to support discussion about how we overcome fear.

Jabari Jumps Activities - Novel Effect Jabari Jumps Activities - Novel Effect

With a calm, supportive father there to provide just enough encouragement, Jabari finds the inner strength to conquer his fears. Even as a cool 6th grader, he was so enamored and spent all day reading it, clutching it, and showing it off to everyone in the school.To have a story set at a public swimming pool about a black boy, as well as a father and sister who sport slightly different skin tones, shows Cornwall’s awareness of her book’s place in the ongoing civil rights movement. Fear is normal in new situations, and sometimes taking a rest, thinking, and deep breathing is what we need to find our inner courage before we can proceed and overcome our nerves. Pre K, Kindergarten and 1st grade students may be interested in this book to find out what Jabari ends up doing and how he works through his fear. I liked how the diving board was depicted as super tall to show how big of an accomplishment his jump was. Lovely illustrations, diverse characters, and an important message that it's OK to be scared of something new (jumping off the diving board the first time - something many can relate to) and how to be brave in facing those fears.