Student book goes down swimmingly

Two Plymouth University students have created a book aimed at helping children learn how to swim.

Swimming with Bertie was written by second-year English and Creative Writing student Hannah Stamp, and illustrated by third-year Illustration student Chen Zhen Lee; telling the story of a young cat who overcomes his fear of the water.

The book was the brainchild of University sporting scholar, Psychology graduate and retired Olympic swimmer Antony James, whose University partner company, Aqua Elite, wanted to show children that swimming was an important life skill.

With a basic project brief to create a book aimed at five to eight year-olds, teaching them how to swim, how not to be afraid of the water and how to employ basic water safety, Antony contacted the University to see if there were any students who wanted to undertake the challenge.

And, only a few months after Chen Zhen and Hannah signed up, the book launch took place to a great reception.

Chen Zhen said: “I found out about the opportunity through my tutors and I’m so pleased I did because it’s been a great experience. It’s a wonderful way to finish my three years here at Plymouth, and hopefully this isn’t the last we’ve seen of Bertie!”

Hannah said: “I think the book looks fantastic and I’m really pleased to have had the opportunity to be involved. I’d previously written work for the University’s INK magazine, but this was my first piece aimed solely at children. After doing some research among friends who were teachers to find out the most appropriate vocabulary to use, I came up with the wording and am really pleased with the result.”

Antony said: “I think the book looks absolutely amazing and we hope to start showcasing it in local schools. Swimming is a major life skill and part of Aqua Elite’s aim is to promote it at grass roots level. As a proud Plymouth University graduate myself, I’m so pleased that fellow students were able to get involved and produce such a brilliant book.”