Like A Gannet
Little Francie feels capable and confident in the water, so when she watches her bigger cousins diving like gannets from the diving boards at the local pool, she wants to do it too. But can she be a gannet if she cannot even dive?
Like A Gannet is a story about aiming for the stars, or in this case the highest diving board. A fresh take on a first experience story, it depicts the joy of swimming and the universal excitement and apprehension of that first time on the diving board.
This story is inspired by memories of being a child who wasn’t very sporty but who felt capable and graceful in the water. Just like a gannet, whose short legs and webbed feet make them slow, clumsy waddlers on land, but who transform into Queens of the Sea when they dive.
Cheer Francie on as she faces the challenge her own way in this joyous celebration of summer days at the pool, cousins and one little fledgling who wants to be a gannet.
Kirsten Ealand lives with her family in a little patch of rainforest in northern NSW. When she isn’t writing, she loves deep water running at her local pool and working in her regional public library getting kids excited about stories. This story was inspired by her memories of being a child who wasn’t very athletic, but who felt capable and graceful in the water. She spent long summer hours in the pool pretending to be a dolphin or a mermaid and has always wished she could dive like a gannet.
Deb Hudson is an Australian illustrator of children’s picture books, and creator of other artistic works including pattern design, stationery and giftware. She loves colour and finds joy in creating illustrations that celebrate life, love, growth and wonder. Highlighting all the beauty around, even the tiny unnoticed details. Her work has been described as whimsical, carrying you off to fantastic places and worlds.
