Reviewed by Jennifer Senick for Readers’ Favorite
Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, “The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be,” and in Olivia Dives In by Melissa-Sue John and Olivia Lauren John, the title character must decide who she wants to be. Olivia Lauren is a creative, hard-working girl who isn’t quite sure sports are for her. Her sister and cousins seem to shine in every endeavor, from track to gymnastics, but Olivia would rather avoid sweating and stick to what she loves. One day, her best friend talks her into trying out for the school swim team. Will swimming turn out to be the perfect fit for her after all? 
I absolutely love how Olivia Dives In by Melissa-Sue John and Olivia Lauren John shows young readers that it’s okay to feel unsure about trying something for the first time. As an educator, I’ve had many students who struggle to feel confident about trying new things. I also appreciated that Olivia already has a few interests, so kids who don’t like sports can still see themselves in her story. This book could definitely be used to start classroom discussions about persistence, self-confidence, and what interests they’d like to try. It could also be expanded by introducing sports vocabulary and having children write about a favorite pastime or a new one they’d like to try. The artwork by Oluwasegun Olaiya adds a colorful energy to each page. I liked the pool scenes the most.
They really bring the team spirit to life. This is perfect for anyone searching for a book about building confidence or discovering new experiences.