Picture book · Fiction
Swimmy
Leo Lionni
About the book
A small black fish who survives a tuna attack teaches a new school of red fish to swim together as one big fish.
Reading notes
Leo Lionni's printed textures are a good starting point for art projects about the sea. Mild peril: early on, a big tuna swallows Swimmy's whole school of fish.
This description was drafted with AI assistance and checked by a separate AI review against catalog, publisher and award sources on 2026-11-11. It has not been reviewed by a human editor. Report an error.
Recognition
- Caldecott Honor (1964)
Recognition is listed from the awarding bodies’ published records. How we verify awards.
Book details
- Author
- Leo Lionni
- First published
- 1963
- Suggested ages
- Ages 3–7 (editorial estimate — children vary)
- Reading mode
- Best read aloud
- Topics
- ocean, cooperation
- Edition shown
- ISBN 9780385753661 · Alfred A. Knopf, 2013
- Catalog record
- Open Library work record · edition record
Metadata verified against Open Library on 2026-11-11. Other editions and formats exist; ISBNs differ by edition.
Featured in
Age guide
Books for Preschoolers: Picture Books, Rhyme, and Real Conversation (Ages 3–5)
How to choose and share books with three- to five-year-olds: picture books, rhyme and sound play, asking good questions, longer stories, and first nonfiction.