Meet Emily Joof, author of I WILL SWIM NEXT TIME

"Bravery is sometimes presented as something that we have or we don't have, whilst to me, my understanding is it's actually a process of lots of tiny, tiny steps that really stem from your belief, your ability to push yourself that little way towards something that you want to achieve."

-Emily Joof, I WILL SWIM NEXT TIME Author

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OurShelves is your trusted resource for expert-curated diverse kids' books like I WILL SWIM NEXT TIME, along with additional resources to deepen engagement with the books and topics they raise.

Cover of I Will Swim Next Time
In this blog post, you'll find:
  • A video and discussion with Emily Joof, author of I WILL SWIM NEXT TIME;
  • Discussion questions to engage with Emily's wonderful video and book; and 
  • Advocacy actions you can take with your children to support diverse books and their creators amid unprecedented book bans targeting diverse books. 

 

Enjoy this special video featuring I WILL SWIM NEXT TIME author, Emily Joof

In this video, Emily shares behind-the-scenes background about OurShelves book selection, I WILL SWIM NEXT TIME. 

 While watching this video, you might discuss . . .

  • How do YOU feel around water? What is your family or community's relationship with swimming and water?
  • Are there any places or spaces that you're not ready for yet? How do you tell others about this?
  • How do you show and build bravery in your everyday life? How do you approach new experiences?

Engage your children in taking action!

Unprecedented book bans that disproportionally target racially, ethnically and religiously diverse, LGBTQ+, and other under-represented characters, authors, and illustrators are on the rise. (Learn more from Get Ready, Stay Ready, a community action toolkit that OurShelves and other partners helped to create.) 

Here are 5 concrete actions you and your children can take to proactively support diverse books and their creators:

  1. Buy and borrow diverse books like I WILL SWIM NEXT TIME;
  2. Share this book and this video within your family, classrooms, library, and beyond (on Facebook, Instagram, X, and Threads);
  3. Send a note to Emily Joof to share why this special book matters to you;
  4. Follow your favorite authors and illustrators of diverse books, like Emily Joof (on Facebook, Instagram, and her website);
  5. Leave a short review for I WILL SWIM NEXT TIME and other favorite diverse books on Goodreads and Amazon.
Visit our Advocacy page for more ways to take action!
Join our e-list. Join the movement. FIRST access to NEW resources + NEW products. FREE videos, activities, guides, how to's.
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