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Trudy's Big Swim: How Getrude Ederle Swam the English Channel and Took the World by Storm

Trudy's Big Swim: How Getrude Ederle Swam the English Channel and Took the World by Storm

Reviewed by: Sarah Cropley - Scarborough Public Library, Scarborough, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: December 12, 2017

Review

Trudy's Big Swim: How Gertrude Ederle Swam the English Channel and Took the World by Storm is a picture book biography of the first woman to swim the English Channel. Macy begins the story while Ederle is in the water swimming, weaving historical context and background information into the text. The book follows the long swim across the channel and gives a brief description of Ederle's experiences after her success. An afterword, sources, notes, and a timeline of 1920's sports highlights make this a valuable resource for young students interested in swimming, female athletes, or great triumphs of sport. Collins' illustrations are detailed and realistic, though not especially colorful, which may appeal to older elementary students. Overall, a solid picture book biography of an often overlooked figure.

Overall Book Score: very good