A RYEDALE woman who has taught generations of children to swim has written a book on the subject.

Yvonne Wood, who lives in Ampleforth, felt there was a need for a book aimed at youngsters.

She said ‘Hi...I Want to Swim’ was quite unique, as it is written for young children to read, instructing them in a fun way how to swim.

“I have taught swimming for more than 25 years and I realised that all books for teaching children to swim were aimed at adults to instruct,” she said.

“This book is different as children can read it for themselves and it is fully illustrated and laminated so that it can be taken onto the poolside.”

Yvonne said she had always loved swimming and when her own children started to learn she decided to train as a teacher.

“I love swimming and teaching children to swim as it is so rewarding,” she said.

“For the book, I wanted to do something which was like the way I teach swimming, which was fun and would be suitable for children from three years upwards.

‘Hi...I Want to Swim’ is available from St Alban’s Sport Centre in Ampleforth, where Yvonne teaches, the bookshop at Ampleforth Abbey and AmpleHamper in the village. It is also available at Claridges, the Toy Shop and Porters in Helmsley and The Summit bookshop in Kirkbymoorside and at WH Smith in York.