The Big Splash
Written by Angela Ahn
Illustrated by Julie Kim
Published by Tundra Books
VIDEO: VIRTUAL AUTHOR VISIT – Watch now!
Teachers on Call – Hooked on Books Interview with Angela Ahn (January 2026)
BOOK SYNOPSIS
Julia is dismayed to learn that Coach Marissa has to leave the Vipers swim team for an urgent family matter. Coach Nathan, their new temporary coach, is strict and humorless. He doesn’t even let them have Splash Time! And it’s not just Julia who’s upset — two of her teammates have even quit the team. So it’s no surprise that the team is not enthusiastic when Coach Nathan asks them to put together a car wash fundraiser for the team.
But then they learn that there’s going to be a big increase in pool rental fees, which means the Vipers may lose practice days, or worse, not be able to swim at all. Julia takes the lead and gets the Vipers organized. Along the way, she learns more about her nemesis, teammate Olivia, and even Coach Nathan. Maybe first impressions aren’t always the most accurate.
ANGELA AHN
Angela Ahn was born in Seoul, Korea, but she grew up in Vancouver, B.C. where she still lives with her family. She is a former teacher and librarian. She considers herself pretty lucky to be able to write and publish books for young readers.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Website: http://www.angelaahnbooks.com/
Instagram: @writeahn
Bluesky: @writeahn.bsky.social
Email: angelaahnbooks@gmail.com
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Krista Kim-Bap (Second Story Press, 2018)
Peter Lee’s Notes from the Field (Tundra Books, 2021)
Double O Stephen and the Ghostly Realm (Tundra Books, 2022)
Team Park (Tundra Books, 2024)
Julia on the Go: Swimming into Trouble (Tundra Books, 2024)
JULIE KIM
Born in South Korea, Julie Kim came to the U.S. when she was 7 years old. A fan of storytelling through pictures, she graduated from Rhode Island School of Design with a BFA. She now lives in Seattle, WA, with her husband and two children.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Website: http://juliekimillustrations.com
Instagram: @juliejookim
Email: juliekim20@outlook.com
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Author and Illustrator of award-winning Where’s Halmoni? and Where’s Joon?. Her latest book, Love Like River and Sky, will come out in 2026.
