Jabari Jumps

By Gaia Cornwall,

Book cover of Jabari Jumps

Book description

Working up the courage to take a big, important leap is hard, but Jabari is almost absolutely ready to make a giant splash.

In a sweet tale of overcoming your fears, debut author-illustrator Gaia Cornwall captures a moment at the swimming pool between a patient and encouraging father and aā€¦

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Why read it?

6 authors picked Jabari Jumps as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

I feel like I lived this story as a kid. Iā€™ll bet a lot of kids do. A young boy overcomes his fear of the high dive. 

Step by step, Gaia Cornwall takes us through Jabariā€™s jump. Jabari starts by telling his dad heā€™s not scared at all. He clearly is. He delays, makes excuses. Dad never pushes. He wants this to be Jabariā€™s decision, Jabariā€™s victory. Itā€™s so relatable, the perspective even changes to first person once Jabari is high above the pool. 

Everything rings true. Itā€™s exactly what a scared kid would say and do. Itā€™s exactly whatā€¦

This book speaks to me because I remember my own boys doing their first jumps from the high dive! I love that Jabari starts out with bravado, but we learn itā€™s just a false sense of confidence about making his first jump. Like many of us, heā€™s trying to convince himself heā€™s ready! In the gentlest way, this story says so muchā€”that sometimes you think youā€™re ready for something, but maybe you need a minute. That preparing can help. That a cheerleader really helps! And that we all have to be brave in our own way, and in our ownā€¦

From Karla's list on childrenā€™s books about bravery.

One of the many things I love about this book is that Jabari doesnā€™t start out the story afraid. He is ready for the diving board! He passed his swimming test and is feeling brave! But itā€™s not until he watches other kids walk up the long ladder, looking like little bugs at the end of the diving board that fear sets in. He stalls, takes a little rest, then turns to his dad for comfort, who frames overcoming fear as feeling like a surprise. Jabari loves surprises and this different point of view motivates him to face his fearā€¦

From Lisa's list on facing your fears.

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Book cover of One Giant Leap

One Giant Leap by Ben Gartner,

Editor's Pick, BookLife by Publishers Weekly.

Gold Medal, 2023 Mom's Choice Awards.

Gold Medal, 2023 Readers' Favorite Awards.

First Place, 2023 Gertrude Warner Middle Grade Awards.

Iā€™m pretty sure Iā€™m about to die in space. And I just turned twelve and a half.

Blast off with the four winners ofā€¦

Jabari has earned his swimming certificate, and now he is ready to jump off the diving board. Or is he? After letting the other kids go first and stopping to rest and stretch, Dad tells Jabari itā€™s ok to be scared. He tells him that sometimes that scary feeling can also feel ā€œa little like a surpriseā€ and Jabari likes surprises. I like how the author likens the negative feelings of worry and fear to the positive feelings of excitement and anticipation. Overall, a sweet father and son story about overcoming your anxieties.

From Jennifer's list on worried or anxious children.

As soon as I read Jabari Jumps, I knew right away that I had found a kindred spirit. Like Jabari, I was one of those kids who would stand on the high dive for what seemed like hours, staring into the water, hoping for a burst of bravery that never happened. Eventually, I either walked back down the ladder or held my nose and jumped. I remember there was an especially cruel pool game called ā€œJump or Diveā€ in which someone called ā€œJump!ā€ or ā€œDive!ā€ right after you leapt off the diving board. After watching countless children do painfulā€¦

From Carolyn's list on children overcoming fears.

First experiences pack a big emotional punch. Jabari is so proud to have passed his swimming test. Now he has his sights set on the high dive. Heā€™s not scared! Jabariā€™s nerves show up in his actions; he stays at the back of the line to think about his best jump. When he starts to climb the ladder, heā€™s tired and needs a little rest. His father supports Jabariā€™s choices without pressure, but he does give Jabari a bit of advice that bolsters his courage. Andā€¦ Jabari Jumps!

If you love Jabari Jumps...

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Book cover of One Giant Leap

One Giant Leap by Ben Gartner,

Editor's Pick, BookLife by Publishers Weekly.

Gold Medal, 2023 Mom's Choice Awards.

Gold Medal, 2023 Readers' Favorite Awards.

First Place, 2023 Gertrude Warner Middle Grade Awards.

Iā€™m pretty sure Iā€™m about to die in space. And I just turned twelve and a half.

Blast off with the four winners ofā€¦

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