A Win for Corinne by Headline Books / Zoom Into Books

A Win for Corinne is the third book in the Corinne’s Fin trilogy. Corinne’s Fin and Corinne’s Team are both Gold Mom's Choice Award Winners. It brings Corinne from a champion swimmer winning all the ribbons at Lavender Lake, overcoming a major event, and reinventing herself as a coach. Finally, Corinne learned many lessons from her Lavender Lappers, just as the team members discovered the true gifts of being on a team and not necessarily a winning team. A WIN is certainly a joy to be shared by all. Team members and their coach remain bonded together forever.

“Like Ruby Belle, I was blessed to grow up on a swim team where I, too, learned to believe in myself, support my team, and be thankful for coaches who cared. As a fellow educator, I love Miss Dayle’s imagined world for Corinne and Ruby Belle. Encouraging children to believe in their spirit and determination and support teammates are vital lessons!” —Josey Coviello, Pre-K teacher at Davie County Schools, MA Reading, Reading Education “A beautiful celebration of teamwork, having a positive mindset and the freedom water can bring to each of us, when we are willing to dive in!” —Julie Caruso, Leadership Coach Dayle Dabney, now retired, taught young children for 50 years and loved reading stories to her class. Currently, she volunteers at Govan’s Elementary in Baltimore City and assists the kindergarten students in writing their own stories. Dayle enjoys swimming her “Laps of Love” in the pool whenever possible. She has three wonderful daughters, Erin, Shannon, and Meghan, and three unique grandchildren, London, Lane, and Margot. Dayle is always writing and editing new stories to share with her writing group of many years: Sandy, Kim, Julie, and Stephanie.

A WIN for Corinne

“As a swimmer of 55 years, I know the power of swimming, the beauty of the water, and the finesse of the strokes that Corinne possesses and joyfully shares with her team.” —Holly Martin, retired from Baltimore County Middle School as a math teacher

Dayle Dabney

A WIN for Corinne by Dayle Dabney illustrated by Headline Kids Group copyright ©2025 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 Published by Headline Books Headline Kids is an imprint of Headline Books ISBN-13: The Library of Congress Number is on file with the Library of Congress

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 story is dedicated to the gift of believing in yourself.

Heavy rain fell on Lavender Lake and nearby Frog Creek for days…and days… and DAYS! It rained so much that...

Frog Creek overflowed! The water wooshed from the creek right into Lavender Lake taking a fish friend with it! “Where am I?” pleaded Ruby Belle, the butterfly goldfish.

Meanwhile, on the other side of Lavender Lake, Coach Corrine sat thinking about her swim team, the Lavender Lappers. “I am so proud of my team, they always try to be the BEST they can be,” she whispered. “I wish we could win at least ONE first-place blue ribbon for our team’s bulletin board.” Her thoughts and wishes we soon interrupted as the water began to churn.

Splish Splash Flash

“What’s happening over there?” yelled Pink Dots as she swam toward the rippling ripples.

Splish Splash Flash

“Let’s go check it out, someone might need our help!” replied Coach Corrine.

Splish Splash Flash

“Look!” exclaimed Pink Dots as she swam closer.

“I don’t know that fish.” “Hi, I’m Pink Dots. Who are you?” she asked. “I’m Ruby Belle from Frog Creek, but I was wooshed here by the flood. Good thing I love to swim,” she answered. “I swim! I’m on the Lavender Lappers swim team. This is my coach, Corrine!” “Hello! Nice to meet you, Ruby Belle,” said Coach Corrine.

“You, too! I’d love to hear about your team, I’ve always wanted to be on one.”

“You have?” asked Coach Corinne. “Yes, my butterfly wings help me flutter away extra fast,” Ruby Belle answered. “They do?” asked Corinne. “Oh my, it just so happens that I’m looking for a butter flutter swimmer! Would you like to be a Lavender Lapper and swim with my team?”

“Yes!” answered Ruby Belle. “Wonderful,” replied Corrine. “We have practice tomorrow, so I’ll see you there!”

“Good afternoon, Lavender Lappers. Meet our new team member, Ruby Belle,” announced Coach Corinne. Ruby Belle flashed her butterfly fins so all could see their size and beauty.

But then she heard some of her teammates say, “I don’t know about her.” “She thinks she is better than we are.”

These remarks from her teammates began to hurt Ruby Belle’s feelings.

Maybe I should just leave… thought Ruby Belle.

“Okay team, let’s gather around,” said Coach Corrine. “In order to succeed as a team, we need to start acting like a team. That means respecting ALL of our teammates.” “Who wants to succeed?” she asked the team. As the team looked at each other, Pink Dots spoke up. “I do…” “Me, too,” said Silver Stripe. “I’m sorry for saying something mean about Ruby…” “Nice apology,” said Corrine.

“I’m glad you joined the team,” said Yellow Flipper. “We always need to give new fish as chance,” said Pink Dots. “Okay, time to practice our strokes,” announced Corinne. “The races will soon be here!”

Flip, Flip, Flip Slide, Slide, Slide Flutter, Butter, Flutter After several practices, the team was ready to compete.

When race day arrived… 21

Ruby Belle took off at a super speed!

Splish…

“I can do this…”

Splash…

“I can do this for me…”

FLUTTER!

“And I can do this for…”

“MY TEAM!” WINNER! Ruby Belle had earned the first blue ribbon ever for the Lavender Lappers.

“We know you are a good swimmer, but how did you do that, Ruby Belle?” the team asked. “Well, I did the practice work, I believed in me and you believed in me, “ Ruby Belle answered. “Work and believe!” said Yellow Flipper. “Now I know part of the winning secret!”

“I also imagined winning before the race began,” replied Ruby Belle. “Maybe everyone should try doing that before your next race!”

Ruby Belle pinned their gold medal to the Team Bulletin Board.

“A WIN for the team!” said Coach Corinne. “A WIN FOR…” 29

“COACH CORINNE!”

Corinne’s Goals 1. I will encourage my team to believe in themselves. 2. I will value each team member. 3. I will give thanks to my Lavender Lappers. Your goals:

I will _______________________________________ I will _______________________________________ I will _______________________________________

A WIN for Corinne