The ZAC Foundation Releases "The Polar Bear Who Couldn't, Wouldn't Swim"

GREENWICH, Conn., July 2, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Just in time for the July 4^th holiday, Karen and Brian Cohn – co-founders of the premier water safety and advocacy foundation called The ZAC Foundation – today released their first children's book The Polar Bear Who Couldn't, Wouldn't Swim to bring awareness to water safety education. 

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130702/DC41104)

The colorful and engaging hardcover children's book was created as a tool for educators and parents to teach young swimmers, ages 5-9, about how to stay safe in any body of water, using the ABC and Ds of water safety.  

After tragically losing their 6-year-old son Zachary Archer Cohn in a drowning when his arm became entrapped in the pool drain in the family's backyard pool, the Cohns vowed to provide effective water safety resources to prepare children and families for a lifetime of water safety.

As part of that vow, the Cohns published The Polar Bear Who Couldn't, Wouldn't Swim.  The book follows the suspenseful journey of a young polar bear named Zeke who is afraid of the water and refuses to swim.  He leaves his home in search of other animals that do not swim, and ends up finding that he can enjoy the water if he follows the ABC and Ds of water safety, while learning a valuable lesson about facing his fears with a positive attitude.

"Zachary's favorite stuffed polar bear was the inspiration for the book.  So it serves as not only an educational resource, but also as a living testament to Zachary's life," said Karen Cohn.  "It is our hope that after families read The Polar Bear Who Couldn't, Wouldn't Swim, they not only enjoyed following Zeke on his adventure, but also, take away important lessons that are applicable to stay water safe at any age." 

The Cohns have mastered creating an easy to read and engaging book that illustrates the important lessons any swimmer needs to be safe in the water – the ABC and Ds of water safety. The Polar Bear Who Couldn't, Wouldn't Swim is a gold medal book that shouldn't be missed.

- Rowdy Gaines
Three-time Olympic Gold Medalist & NBC Olympic Commentator

Families reading the book will learn the lessons Zeke discovers to stay safe in the water – the ABC and Ds of water safety:

• A is for Adults: children should only be near water with adult supervision
• B is for Barriers: barriers, such as a fence that goes around a pool, keep children safe
• C is for Classes: take swimming classes to learn how to be safe in the water
• D is for Drains: pool drains are dangerous to swimmers, and should be avoided while swimming

In addition to educating young readers, The Polar Bear Who Couldn't, Wouldn't Swim also will play an integral role in another ZAC Foundation initiative called ZAC Camps.  ZAC Camps began in 2011 and are designed to provide children access to professional swim instruction and important lessons regarding water safety.  The Polar Bear Who Couldn't, Wouldn't Swim will be used as a teaching resource for campers in the classroom portion of each ZAC Camp.      

More than 1,000 children who participate in ZAC Camps across the country this year will receive a copy of the book to take home and share with their friends and families.  This donation is made possible through a national partnership achieved between The ZAC Foundation and the Boys & Girls Clubs of America to bring ZAC Camps to 5-9 year old members from Clubs nationwide.  Ten Clubs will debut ZAC Camps in 2013 and 25 in 2014. 

The Polar Bear Who Couldn't, Wouldn't Swim is available for purchase for $9.95 by entering the code:  "WATERSAFETY" at www.TheZACFoundation.com.  All proceeds will go to support The ZAC Foundation's commitment to advancing water safety programming nationally.

About The ZAC Foundation
The ZAC Foundation was established in 2008 by Brian and Karen Cohn after the loss of their 6-year-old son Zachary Archer Cohn in a pool drain entrapment in their backyard swimming pool.  Through education and advocacy, the Foundation is dedicated to prepare children and families for a lifetime of water safety.  To learn more about The ZAC Foundation, connect with us on Facebook and thezacfoundation.com.

AUTHOR CONTACT: Danielle Hagen
202-365-6112

SOURCE The ZAC Foundation