Corinne’s Team connects Coach Corinne with her swim team, the Lavender Lappers, as they all learn the secrets of becoming a winning team. This sequel to multi-award winning Corinne’s Fin, shows her story of growth and change and how she encourages others to become the BEST they can be.
“Once again, Dayle Dabney has provided a moving story with a lesson all of us can learn. The beautiful illustrations bring Lavender Lake and its colorful fish to life.” —Stephanie Leddy, teacher, grandmother, and writer
“Dayle’s many years of teaching and knowing young children have allowed her to focus on the questions children have about friendship and working together. In Corinne’s Team, she gently leads the children to understand the value of friendship and teamwork and beautifully conveys the importance of these values.” —Pat Wells Sheridan, former Director of Bryn Mawr Little School
Dayle Dabney is a multi-award winning author, retired teacher and real estate agent, who spent her entire life with young children from babysitting, teaching, to owning her own pre-school for 18 years, and then retired from Baltimore County School System. Dayle has three daughters, Erin, Shannon, and Meghan in addition to her three grandchildren, London, Lane, and Margot. She enjoys tennis, golf, swimming, bridge, poker, writing, book clubs, gardening, gospel choir, and many nature and spiritual activities. Dayle treasured being on many teams at Maryvale in addition to numerous tennis teams over the years. Each day brings new learning and gratitude. For more information visit www.HeadlineBooks.com.
Corinne’s Team
“Dayle Dabney captures the essence of teamwork and what it means to be the best they can be.” —Joanne Graybill, former head coach of the Manta Ray Swim Team
Dayle Dabney
Corinne’s Team by Dayle Dabney illustrated by Headline Kids Group copyright ©2022 Dayle Dabney All rights reserved. This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents, except where noted otherwise, are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any other resemblance to actual people, places or events is entirely coincidental. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any other form or for any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording or any information storage system, without written permission from Headline Books. To order additional copies of this book, or for book publishing information, or to contact the author: Headline Kids P. O. Box 52 Terra Alta, WV 26764 Email: mybook@headlinebooks.com www.headlinebooks.com Lucas Kelly—Design/Layout Published by Headline Books Headline Kids is an imprint of Headline Books ISBN-13: 9781951556921 Library of Congress Control Number: 2022937576
PR I N T E D I N T H E U N I T E D STAT E S OF A M E R IC A
This book is dedicated to Erin, Shannon, and Meghan and all swimmers and coaches of swim teams!
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Corinne was the best swimmer in Lavender Lake. She loved swimming, teaching, and having fun! I think it’s time I start a swim team, she thought.
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First I need some help. She started with her friend, Green Eyes. “I’d love to help!” said Green Eyes, “I’ll be your messenger and post signs.”
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The news of the tryouts quickly rippled through Lavender Lake. When the day finally arrived…
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...there were so many eager swimmers! Among them, Yellow Flipper, a goldfish with two small front fins that never grew, asked, “Can I try out?” Pink Dots, a goldfish who wore thick glasses because of her poor eyesight, asked, “Can I try out?” Silver Stripe, a goldfish with a scar across his side, asked, “Can I try out?” “Of course, everyone is welcome!” said Corinne smiling. “Be the BEST you can be!”
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“Thank you all for coming!” said Corinne. “We’re going to be judging each of you on speed, endurance, and technique to find out where you truly shine!” “Timers Ready?” “Go!”
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By the end of the day, Corrine had her team and named them the Lavender Lappers. “We will be the BEST we can be!” she said.
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The team practiced every morning, afternoon, and night for the big championship swim meet.
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Swim, Swim, Swim Kick, Kick, Kick Swish, Swish, Swish Flutter, Flutter, Flutter The day of the big race arrived.
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“Remember, be the BEST you can be!” Corinne reminded. It was time to begin, first up, FREEDOM FLIP race. Yellow Flipper swam as hard as she could but couldn’t keep up with the Wave Runner team. “I’m not a good swimmer, Coach Corinne,” she said. 20
“Be kind to yourself,” said Corinne, “be the BEST you can be!” Up next, the BACKWARD SLIDE race!
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Pink Dots was close to the finish when she swallowed some water waves from the other lanes. Wave Runners win.
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“I wasn’t ready for that extra water, Coach Corinne. I didn’t do a good job…” said Pink Dots. “You’ll learn,” answered Corinne. “Be the BEST you can be!”
It was time for the final event, ZIG ZAG ZIP race. 23
Silver Stripe thought for sure he would win but his side began to hurt halfway down the lane. Wave Runners win. “How could this happen, Coach Corinne?” gulped Silver Stripe. “We trained to be ready, feel calm, and plan ahead,” said Corinne. “But above all, to be the BEST we can be!”
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At the end of the meet, Corinne gathered her Lappers in a bubble huddle.
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“Go Fin to Fin with the other swimmers and say GOOD SWIM,” announced Corinne. “But, but, but…” cried Yellow Flipper, Pink Dots, and Silver Stripe. “There is more to a team than winning,” said Corinne. “Much more. We must help each other and be good sports!”
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The teams lined up, “GOOD SWIM, GOOD SWIM, GOOD SWIM.” “Great job, everyone,” said Corinne. “Way to be the best you can be!”
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Later, at the awards ceremony, the Lavender Lappers received something unexpected. “And the winner for the team with the best sportsmanship...
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...the Lavender Lappers!” “See everyone,” said Corinne, “hard work pays off when you try your best!” “Always be the BEST you can be!” cheered the team.
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Corinnes’ Teamwork Tips Set clear goals. Work together as ONE. Help your teammates. Be positive with your words. Be a good friend. Swim with joy!
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Corinne’s Team connects Coach Corinne with her swim team, the Lavender Lappers, as they all learn the secrets of becoming a winning team. This sequel to multi-award winning Corinne’s Fin, shows her story of growth and change and how she encourages others to become the BEST they can be.
“Once again, Dayle Dabney has provided a moving story with a lesson all of us can learn. The beautiful illustrations bring Lavender Lake and its colorful fish to life.” —Stephanie Leddy, teacher, grandmother, and writer
“Dayle’s many years of teaching and knowing young children have allowed her to focus on the questions children have about friendship and working together. In Corinne’s Team, she gently leads the children to understand the value of friendship and teamwork and beautifully conveys the importance of these values.” —Pat Wells Sheridan, former Director of Bryn Mawr Little School
Dayle Dabney is a multi-award winning author, retired teacher and real estate agent, who spent her entire life with young children from babysitting, teaching, to owning her own pre-school for 18 years, and then retired from Baltimore County School System. Dayle has three daughters, Erin, Shannon, and Meghan in addition to her three grandchildren, London, Lane, and Margot. She enjoys tennis, golf, swimming, bridge, poker, writing, book clubs, gardening, gospel choir, and many nature and spiritual activities. Dayle treasured being on many teams at Maryvale in addition to numerous tennis teams over the years. Each day brings new learning and gratitude. For more information visit www.HeadlineBooks.com.
Corinne’s Team
“Dayle Dabney captures the essence of teamwork and what it means to be the best they can be.” —Joanne Graybill, former head coach of the Manta Ray Swim Team