Little Jabari had just finished his swimming lessons and passed his swim test. He decided that he was now ready to jump off the diving board and today was the day. He watched all the other children jump off the board and declared it looked easy. However, when he got to the bottom of the board he looked up and saw how high it was. He felt scared but he didn’t want to let anyone know how he felt.

His dad knew how he was feeling though. He told Jabari that it was okay to feel scared and that sometimes even he felt scared. He then taught him what he does when he feels scared and how it helps. Jabari decided to give the diving board another go, this time using the technique his dad had taught him.

Jabari Jumps is a very sweet, short children’s book following little Jabari as he tries to work up the courage to jump off the diving board. The book shows children that everyone gets scared sometimes and that it is normal and okay. It also shows them how Jabari’s dad helps him to overcome his fears.

The pages are filled with exquisite illustrations that really capture how Jabari is feeling. I also love how there are images in the background that are made out of what looks like pages out of a book. The illustrations also clearly show what is happening in the story and a non-reader would be able to make out the story from these alone.

The writing is clear and in a print big enough for young children to read, especially a new reader. This is Gaia Cornwall’s first children’s book and I think she has done a marvellous job. I also love how she has shown the father of the family looking after his children on his own, not something you see often in children’s books.

About the Author

Gaia Cornwall is an illustrator who loves making patterns for surface design, illustrating for children, and writing picture books.

Her images can be seen in magazines, online, in logos, on various products, and even in a couple movies. JABARI JUMPS is her debut picture book. She lives in Providence, Rhode Island.