Dr. Lorna Gonsalves, Author and Illustrator

Little Meena and the Big Swim/La Pequeña Meena y el Gran Nado is a tale of collective triumph over bullying and greed. The story follows a group of young fish who, with the guidance of an elder, organize to make positive change in their community. To their amazement, they find that working together gives them superpowers. At once joyful and poignant, the book will delight readers of all ages while leaving them with important lessons about how to harness the power of solidarity to benefit everyone. 

This bilingual book is intended to spark the imagination of children, initiate conversations between children as well as between children and adults, inspire them to apply what they have learned from Meena and her friends, and work with elders to plan projects that address bullying, food insecurity, and other pressing issues in their communities. 

Schools, libraries, and other groups can use the book as a means for promoting civic engagement, creative problem solving, and community art. 

Framework for the use of the book as part of an enrichment program. Schools and other groups have the option of involving children in one or more of the following interrelated activities.

•    Read and discuss the book with children

•    Engage students in a related art activity

•    Learn and perform Meena’s Song

•    Introduce students to the children’s version of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights

•    Identify a local problem and have children lead a multi-generational effort to identify and work on solutions

•    Share project information and art work at a year-end summit for all participating schools/groups

•    Theater departments can work with students to act out the story and bring it to life before a variety of audiences

Contact Dr. Lorna Gonsalves at [email protected]