The Christmas Swim (Picture Book)

It's almost Christmas, and when the factory closes in the town of Snowville, people are out of work and feeling down. Eleven-year-old Eustace writes a letter to Santa asking him to help the townsfolk by bringing jobs insstead of toys. Whren he does not hear back, he begins his own mission to cheer up the town by having a holiday swim in the middle of winter! The Christmas Swim, conceived by Martym Thrussell, written by Remo Perini, and Illustrated by Danny O'Learly, is a delightfully inventive story of how one boy's selflessness affects all around him. Eustace's father is an inventor and toymaker.

Melting the fozen lake is a difficult task, but he doesn't let that stop him. As his father sets off to town on Christmas Eve day, Eustace brainstorms about how to unfreeze the lake and puts his plan into action. Determined, Eustace uses inventive ways to melt the lake's winter ice, and when one idea doesn't work, Eustace is on to the next and the next, making improvements until, at last, the lake's ice begins to melt. Eustace can't wait to show his dad the warmed lake. The townsfolk came by to check out the fuss and were delighted to see that the lake is not frozen! As they all join in the fun, cannonballing and frolicking, an air of joy permeates the once dreary community and a spontaneous round of Christmas songs emerge from their happy voices. Eustace and the Christmas Swim will delight young readers in poring over the incredibly detailed and captivating illustrations created by artist Danny O'Leary. Children will enjoy examining each skillfully crafted page to discover objects throughout. Eustace and the Christmas Swim is a book that families and educators of young children can turn to again and again with renewed fascination.