05/24/2026
As the summer season kicks off, please remember that drowning does not look like the Hollywood version. Often, it is silent.
Memorial Day weekend marks the unofficial start of swimming season -- and the start of the months when most child drownings happen. Here is something every parent should know before the first trip to the pool: you cannot count on hearing a child drown. There is no yelling, no dramatic splashing -- that's Hollywood.
In reality, according to Marine Safety Specialist Mario Vittone: "Drowning is almost always a deceptively quiet event... of the approximately 750 children who will drown next year, about 375 of them will do so within 25 yards of a parent or other adult. In ten percent of those drownings, the adult will actually watch them do it, having no idea it is happening."
--> Knowing what drowning actually looks like takes two minutes and could save a child's life. Read the signs to watch for here: https://www.amightygirl.com/blog?p=15613
For a powerful book that explores a young girl coming to terms with her best friend's drowning death, we highly recommend "The Thing About Jellyfish" for ages 10 and up at https://www.amightygirl.com/the-thing-about-jellyfish
There are also two excellent books about tween girls grappling with the drowning deaths of their brothers: "My Jasper June" (https://www.amightygirl.com/my-jasper-june) and "The Light in the Lake" (https://www.amightygirl.com/the-light-in-the-lake), both for ages 10 and up
For several books about children learning to overcome fears and love the water, check out "Saturday is Swimming Day" for ages 3 to 6 (https://www.amightygirl.com/saturday-is-swimming-day), "Ladybug Girl at the Beach" for ages 3 to 6 (https://www.amightygirl.com/ladybug-girl-at-the-beach), "Don't Worry, Little Crab" for ages 3 to 7 (https://www.amightygirl.com/don-t-worry-little-crab), and "There Might Be Lobsters" for ages 4 to 8 (https://www.amightygirl.com/there-might-be-lobsters)
Read more at Mario Vittone - Maritime Risk Consulting
