Jabari Jumps

I feel like I lived this story as a kid. I’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 Jabari’s jump. Jabari starts by telling his dad he’s not scared at all. He clearly is. He delays, makes excuses. Dad never pushes. He wants this to be Jabari’s decision, Jabari’s victory. It’s so relatable, the perspective even changes to first person once Jabari is high above the pool. 

Everything rings true. It’s exactly what a scared kid would say and do. It’s exactly what… show more.

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 it’s just a false sense of confidence about making his first jump. Like many of us, he’s trying to convince himself he’s ready! In the gentlest way, this story says so much—that sometimes you think you’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 own… show more.

One of the many things I love about this book is that Jabari doesn’t start out the story afraid. He is ready for the diving board! He passed his swimming test and is feeling brave! But it’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 fear… show more.

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 it’s ok to be scared. He tells him that sometimes that scary feeling can also feel “a little like a surprise” 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.

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 “Jump or Dive” in which someone called “Jump!” or “Dive!” right after you leapt off the diving board. After watching countless children do painful… show more.

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. He’s not scared! Jabari’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, he’s tired and needs a little rest. His father supports Jabari’s choices without pressure, but he does give Jabari a bit of advice that bolsters his courage. And… Jabari Jumps!