Little Leopard Learns to Swim - Author Sue Graves

Taking the plunge can be scary — but with a little help, confidence grows.

In Little Leopard Learns to Swim, children follow Little Leopard and her classmates as they head to swimming lessons. Everyone is eager to jump in, except for Little Leopard, who isn’t even sure she likes bath time. With the kind support of Mr Croc, she begins to take small steps toward overcoming her fears and learning to enjoy the water.

This gentle, relatable story is ideal for helping young children face new experiences, especially those that feel overwhelming at first. It encourages perseverance and self-confidence through reassurance and gradual exposure. The book includes helpful activities and conversation starters to reflect on feelings and build emotional resilience.

Recommended age: 3–7+ years
Ideal for: home libraries, early years classrooms, PSHE lessons, and school reading programs.

Why we—and schools—love it:

• Supports emotional growth: Helps children identify and express feelings around new or unfamiliar experiences.
• Builds confidence: A reassuring story for those approaching swimming lessons or other first-time activities.
• Classroom and curriculum friendly: Aligned with EYFS and KS1 objectives on emotional well-being, self-esteem, and behaviour.

More titles we recommend from the series:

• Little Tiger Starts School – A Book About New Beginnings
• Little Monkey Calms Down – A Book About Managing Emotions
• Little Cheetah’s New Friends – A Book About Friendship and Belonging

Create a set to explore everyday challenges with empathy and confidence.