Parents' Guide to

Cannonball

Book Sacha Cotter Picture Book 2020
Cannonball Poster Image

Common Sense Media Review

Carrie Kingsley By Carrie Kingsley , based on child development research. How do we rate?

age 3+

Warm story of individuality and achieving a perfect splash.

Parents Need to Know

Why Age 3+?

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Parent and Kid Reviews

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age 3+

Based on 1 parent review

fkelley
fkelley Parent of 1, 3 and 5-year-old
February 26, 2021
age 3+

Fun and Meaningful

My 5 year old loved how silly this book is and connected with the message about being yourself. He loved that the child at the end creates a silly and sparkly costume to help him succeed at his cannonball. The illustrations are also great, with a hidden octopus on each page that my kids found before I did.
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What's the Story?

CANNONBALL is the story of a young Maori child trying to learn how to do the perfect cannonball. Everyone around him has advice for how to fix the fact that even his belly flops only produce a tiny splash, and nothing works. But everything changes when his fearless Nan advises him to listen to his own voice, find his own style, and be himself.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: (1 ):
Kids say: Not yet rated

Beyond this book's inspiring message of individuality and persistence, there's a rhythm to the writing here that amplifies the message and makes the text more accessible to early readers. Nan's advice to listen to the voice inside and not to rely on others for a solution is reassuring, and there's a sweet sadness to the scene where he's curled up on her lap, disappointed. Cannonball's colorful pages and perfectly captured facial expressions and transport readers to the end of the diving board (or on a rock, a branch, or play structure), where they can relate to finding the courage to jump -- and hoping for an epic landing.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about an obstacle like Cannonball that they've been nervous to try. Did you listen to other people's advice? What helped you finally do it, or are you still trying?

  • What advice have you given to other people when they're trying something new?

  • What other books about fun in water have you read?

Book Details

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