Former Swim Instructor Authors Children's Book Showcasing How Fun Learning to Swim Can Be

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. - June 13, 2016 - PRLog -- Former swim instructor and Southern California native, Pattie McCann Tracy captures the fear, courage, thrill and joy young children experience when learning to swim in her first children's picture book, Pono Finds his Flippers (http://www.ponofinds.com/). Pono and his BFF Lani, a Hawaiian monk seal, embark on joyous adventures by land and through friendship and love transition there frolics to the sea.

"Teaching young children to swim for years, I've seen the fear children can have prior to or during their swim lessons; making it more difficult and certainly less fun for them to learn," said McCann Tracy. "It is my hope that Pono and Lani will encourage and inspire children so they build up courage and look forward to learning to swim."

Appropriate for children ages 3 to 8, Pono Finds his Flippers (http://www.ponofinds.com/)highlights how a delightful little boy named Pono enjoys every sun-filled day with his best friend. While sharing a true friendship of love, fun and adventure - they can only explore together on land. Not having "flippers" of his own, Pono longs to join Lani each time she heads out to sea. Learning of her son's unhappiness, Pono's mother helps him find his own flippers by teaching him to swim. With Lani cheering him on, triumphantly Pono learns to swim, and their lives are forever changed.

The author's concept was born from her experience teaching children to swim and her love of the wonderful animals that inhabit the ocean. She believes swimming is a gift that all children deserve and that learning to swim builds confidence and opens up an incredible world to explore - two extremely important aspects in every child's life.

Pono Finds His Flippers is available for purchase through Amazon. For more information visit www.ponofinds.com.

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About the Author: McCann Tracy grew up in Simi Valley, CA and found her own flippers when she was 3-years old. She began teaching at the age of 18 and put herself through the University of Hawaii by teaching swim lessons. She lives in Thousand Oaks, CA with her wonderful husband Jon (a former adult student she taught) and their two special need pups, Rafa and Lulu.

About the Illustrator: McKeown was born in Ventura, CA, and earned her Bachelors of Art degree with a major in Art. Her passion started as a child when she picked up a crayon and has been creating ever since. She has done work in illustration and photography. Her experience working with young students as a professional photographer has allowed McKeown to translate expressions into her illustration work. Having parents from Hawai'i, she loves the islands and visits often.