Splash

One day Mama Hippo has a big surprise for Rita and her siblings, Amanda and Ayden. They're going to the water park! They are all so excited to go down all the big water slides! But as they climb the steps to the first tall slide, Rita gets more and more nervous. She's afraid to go down. What if something happens? But Mama Hippo is very wise, and after reviewing the rules with the kids, she suggests everyone going down the smaller slide first. Rita is so relieved! She is still scared, but she gathers her courage and slides down after her siblings. And it was fun! So fun that she then dared to try the taller slide. That was fun too! But she was still too frightened to go down the dark, scary covered slide. Not until the end of the day was she able to gather enough courage to try the covered slide after figuring out a strategy to help her conquer her fears.

This super cute and colorfully illustrated read-along picture book aimed at ages 3-8 is all about having the courage to speak up when you're afraid, not to feel pressure to do something you are not ready for yet, and most important, to have the confidence and bravery to conquer your fears in your own time and in your own way. A fun and entertaining story that also gives good lessons on water safety. The perfect book for parents, teachers, and caregivers to read aloud before summer water activities.

Muriel Fitzpatrick earned her first degree at Merrimack College as an Accountant. After working as an accountant for Panasonic she decided to turn her attention to raising a family. After several years she went back to school and earned her MA in Education and Special Education from Saint Thomas Aquinas College in New York. While working with primary age students, she wanted to explore ways in which she could help struggling students learn to read better. She continued her education by earning her Certification in Orton Gillingham Multi-Sensory Education from Fairleigh Dickinson University. Muriel has lived in various states in the U.S. and spent 10 years in Puerto Rico. She currently resides in Cape Cod, Massachusetts. Her hobbies include quilting, golfing, walking, bike riding, pickle ball, and basically anything she can do with her children and grandchildren. She has a deep love for children and children's literature. This is her third children's book following I Am Nuclear Fusion and An Extra Dose of Love.