Timbo the Swimming Champ

Faza, Norlin Samat (tr.)

9789819462230

Bilingual: in English and Malay

Timbo has been training hard for the jungle’s big swimming race. He practises hard in the river, determined to show everyone that he is the best swimmer in the jungle. But when race day arrives, Timbo’s enthusiasm and his enormous elephant strength make quite a splash!

As Timbo powers through the pool, his waves send competitors tumbling, splashing and scrambling out of his way. Focused on reaching the finish line, Timbo barely notices the chaos he leaves behind. It is only when the race is over and he looks back that he begins to understand what has happened.

This is a lively, humorous picture book about determination, competition and the importance of being aware of how our actions affect others. It has an open-ended conclusion that invites children to think beyond simply coming first. The story lends itself beautifully for reading aloud and its themes of empathy, self-awareness, consequences and perspective-taking offer rich opportunities for conversation at home or in the classroom.