Review - Edward Almost Goes Swimming

Edward Almost Goes Swimming (Edward Almost Ready)
by Rosemary Wells
Date: 1995
Publisher: Open Road Media Young Readers
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 26
Format: e-book
Source: library

Edward, a shy young bear, is not ready for birthday pool parties with high-spirited, grade-school bears.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

Oh, wow. What a terrible message! Poor Edward.

Edward is going to Georgina's birthday party, which is at a pool. He wants to wear his water wings, because they make him feel safe. His parents try to convince him not to, but he insists. The other kids call him a sissy. Then Georgina and Ivy hug him condescendingly, so tightly that his water wings pop... and then they push him in the water! The lifeguard has to rescue Edward and then call his parents and tell them that Edward's too young for that kind of party.

Um... what? No, how about Edward's too young to be hanging around with psychopathic young bears? (Actually, is anyone old enough to hang around with people who are trying to kill them?) Why is all of this Edward's fault? Why does being assaulted make him "not ready"?

WTF?! What were they thinking publishing this one?

Premise: 0/5
Meter: n/a
Writing: 2/5
Illustrations: 3/5
Originality: 2/5

Enjoyment: 0/5

Overall: 1.17 out of 5