Peppa Goes Swimming - Ladybird

Peppa Pig is a children's television programme that is aimed primarily at preschoolers. Each episode lasts just 5 minutes and is based around a little girl pig called Peppa and her friends and family. Thanks to Peppa's popularity she now has lots of merchandise available.

There was a time when my daughter was a die hard Peppa Pig fan. She still enjoys it now but not as much as she used to. I bought the Peppa Goes Swimming book (published by Ladybird) for her a couple of years ago. She used to enjoy reading it with me a lot (particularly at bed time) and it still comes off the book shelf now and again for a read. I brought the book online rather than in a shop so I didn't get to flick through it and have a look before I purchased it.

The front cover is bright, glossy and rather eyecatching with a photo of Peppa and George splashing around in a swimming pool with armbands and swimsuits on.

The pictures and illustrations inside the book are brilliant. Bright, clear, exciting and just as they appear on television. Many familiar Peppa Pig characters are also featured (Peppa Pig, George, Mummy Pig, Daddy Pig, Rebecca Rabbit, Richard and their mum). In my opinion the illustrations make the book.

The outline of the book is that Peppa, George, Mummy and Daddy Pig are off swimming but George is quite scared. Once George is encouraged to get in the pool, he loves it. Rebecca Rabbit, Richard and their mum also turn up at the pool. George and Richard hold their floats and splash everybody with their legs, whilst Peppa inform them that 'big children don't splash'. Peppa and Rebecca then race each other with their armbands on, before Richard drops his toy watering can and it sinks to the bottom of the pool. Richard is sad so Daddy Pig dives down and retrieves it. Richard then pours the watering can over Daddy Pigs head, much to George's amusement!

The story is fun and enjoyable. My daughter wasn't too keen on swimming unfortunately but this book managed to spark her interest and made her want to go swimming. For example 'I can hold a float like George and kick my legs' and 'I have armbands like Peppa and Rebecca'. I also like the fact it can teach children to try something new, even if they aren't too keen - like when George jumps in the pool and loves it. The book also shows children that being sociable and playing together is fun. There is a subtle lesson about not splashing too!

The length of the book is good (24 pages) which means the book isn't too short (like many preschool books) but it isn't dragged out either. My daughter has always sat through the whole book with no problems. It certainly captures her attention. There is a small piece of writing on most pages. The text is clear and bold. My daughter has just started learning to read letters and small words. This book has lots of small words that she can read by herself but also a lot of quite challenging words that I need to read for her.

Something which I don't particularly like about the book is that the pages are very thin and flimsy. I would have expected something more durable and robust for a preschool book. Our copy has been quite well looked after but still has some creases in the pages.

The RRP of the book is £3.99, although you can usually buy it for a lot less. It is widely available in most book shops and childrens stores,

Overall this is a good little book with fabulous illustrations and fun story. It's sure to please any young Peppa Pig fan.

Summary: A nice book for Peppa fans, that may encourage them to want to go swimming.