THE BIG SPLASH

When Julia’s swim coach is suddenly called away, the team must adjust to a strict substitute.

Things have improved for Julia since we last saw her in Swimming Into Trouble (2024). She’s adjusting to her new haircut, and she’s been medically cleared to rejoin her team, the Vipers, at the Mountainview Community Center. (The first installment saw her dealing with an ear infection.) The excitement is short-lived, though, when Coach Marissa introduces a temporary replacement before abruptly leaving due to a family emergency. Coach Nathan’s a harsh taskmaster, and he gets rid of Splash Time, the five minutes of fun that usually follow each practice. Two teammates quit, and the challenges don’t stop there—the team must quickly hold a car wash to cover a sudden jump in fees. Julia slowly realizes that Coach Nathan’s stern exterior belies his own uncertainties about his lack of experience. Meanwhile, the fundraiser’s tight timeline leads to new friendships, a situation that causes tensions with her BFF, Maricel. Gently infused with humor, Ahn’s narrative deftly balances Julia’s struggles with promoting the car wash while navigating shifting friendships and learning that first impressions can be deceiving. Kim’s comically expressive illustrations interspersed throughout add to the emotional journey. Physical descriptors are minimal, but Julia is Korean Canadian, and her community appears diverse in the artwork.

An authentic, funny, and endearing series addition, with big splashes of fun.