Learning to swim can be frightening for young children. The pool water looks deep, lots of other kids may be splashing around, and all kinds of scary things could be hiding beneath the surface. Lottie is convinced a shark hides in the pool where she takes lessons, one that is only interested in eating her. She’s too afraid to get into the water until one day a Walrus named Walter shows up and helps her have fun learning to swim, just like all the other kids.

Lottie and Walter by Anna Walker is a cute, sweet picture book that’s also funny and comforting. Lottie’s fears are real to her, and Walter helps her confront them. He sings a silly song that goes, “Humbelly doo, lumbelly la, loopy loo,” which helps her get through all kinds of scary situations, including the one at the pool. Soft, watercolor illustrations enhance calm feelings and encourage snuggling. They are also likely to inspire kids to want to spend time at the pool.

Lottie and Walter is the kind of picture book that parents will reach for over and over, perhaps for before and after bath time to inspire young imaginations.

The author provided me with a copy of this title in exchange for my honest review.