A Visit to the Beach... Books for Everyone At Home by the Ocean Sharon Gordon    What is it like to live at the beach? Is it better than visiting on vacation? What is it like in the winter time? What happens when a hurricane comes? Very young or non-readers can get a taste of the sights, sounds, and smells of day to day life in the “At Home” series that features life by the ocean, on a farm or ranch, in the city, desert or high on a mountain. Colorful photo illustrations include scenes of people and places that define what life by the ocean is like: a crowded beach, people fishing in a boat, a lighthouse, someone climbing a sand dune, a child taking an outside shower to rinse off the sand, and so on. Text includes a list of challenge words (a glossary) and an index. What a great way to show young readers how different but similar children are all over this large country. 2006, Marshall Cavendish Corporation, $21.36. Ages 2 to 5. Reviewer: Judy Crowder (Children's Literature). ISBN: 0-7614-1959-4 ISBN: 978-0-7614-1959-4 Babymouse: Beach Babe! Jennifer Holm & Matthew Holm    In this installment of the Babymouse adventures, the young mouse is headed for the beach. School is out and she's ready to become a "beach babe" by learning how to surf on a family vacation. Meanwhile, her little brother struggles to win Babymouse's affections. Told with humor, energy-filled illustrations, and a fun weaving of animal fantasy and psychological realism, this cute, quick read packs a lot into its graphic novel format. We have Babymouse and her misadventures on the beach fleshed out by her active inner life filled with daring adventures and humorous recollections. This fun-filled story is coupled with the challenges of an average sibling relationship. Her younger brother gets carsick on the trip to the beach, and later eats too much on a trip to the carnival to add some gross, true-to-life humor. He's also insistent on playing with his sister, who doesn't have the time for him until she nearly loses him and realizes he could make her beach adventures even better. With heart, humor, and a good dose of vomit, this book has it all. It's great fun and a quick read; kids will no doubt enjoy every frame. 2006, Random House, $5.95. Ages 7 to 10. Reviewer: Alexandria LaFaye, Ph.D. (Children's Literature). Best Books: Books for Holiday Gift-Giving, 2006; Association for Library Service to Childern; United States Awards, Honors, Prizes: Cybils Finalist 2006 Graphic Novels Ages 12 and Under United States ISBN: 0-375-83231-9 ISBN: 0-375-93231-3 ISBN: 978-0-375-83231-4 ISBN: 978-0-375-93231-1 Bats at the Beach Brian Lies    Here is a real reversal on a sunny day at the beach. The bats head out for a night of fun. They put on moonglow lotion, enjoy swims, picnics, burying each other in the sand, and beach volleyball. The details are a treat, such as the picnic food, which includes skeeter crisps and toasted bug marshmallows. The bats sing around the campfire and as the sky begins to lighten, they prepare to fly away. The moon is gone, but it did provide a perfect night for the bats at the beach. The illustrations, which are all nighttime scenes, still manage to show great detail--the light of the moon plays off the water and is reflected off the sand and a big yellow shovel. The campfire and interior of the snack bar provide a different type of light to help break the monotony of the night scenes. Young readers should find this reversal interesting, and it may help reduce the irrational fear that people seem to have about bats. A note on the jacket indicates that part of the proceeds will be donated to Bat Conservation International. 2006, Houghton Mifflin, $16.00. Ages 4 to 7. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot (Children's Literature). Best Books: Book Sense Children's Picks, Summer 2006; American Booksellers Association; United States ISBN: 0-618-55744-X ISBN: 978-0-618-55744-8 Beach Elisha Cooper    At first glance, I did not like this oversized book. Too many small watercolor drawings, I thought, too many sentences. But upon giving it a second reading, I realized just how delightfully this book captures the atmosphere of the summer beach. There are swimmers, sunbathers, and kite-flyers. And tons of seagulls. There are castle builders, crab racers, and a man wading with his baby while keeping an eye out for jellyfish. Adventurous souls dive into the waves, while the timid remain on the shoreline, stuck like statues. There are couples playing chicken, dogs chasing driftwood, and boaters in every kind of sea-worthy vessel. There is even the drone of an airplane dragging a tail banner. With the turn of each page I found myself reliving memories of my private beach adventures. I clearly hear the clanging bell buoy and the mother trying to coat her screaming toddler with sun block. I see the beefy studs and the teen girls’ giggles. I inhale the salty air and watch the man chase after his wife’s rogue umbrella. I am on these pages, as I bet you will be. What a delightful gift for someone who longs to be at the beach but cannot physically get there. 2006, Orchard Books, $16.99. Ages 4 to 8. Reviewer: Sheri Bell-Rehwoldt (Children's Literature). ISBN: 0-439-68785-3 ISBN: 978-0-439-68785-0 Beach Feet Marjorie Jackson Illustrated by Lynda Cohen    Minnie wants to go to the beach. Unfortunately, her father was busy cooking and her mother was busy reading. She went out into the garden and grandpa was talking, then she went into the house, grandma was there and she was wearing flip-flops. What are beach feet and who has them? When Minnie sees grandma she exclaims, “Beach feet! Let’s go to the beach.” Grandma and Minnie set out for a wonderful day at the shore. This is a very easy reader for young children who want to have a real sense of accomplishment when they read a book all by themselves. The illustrations are amusing and the young girl looks like any ordinary girl. 2006, Richard C. Owen, $5.00. Ages 3 to 6. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot (Children's Literature). ISBN: 1-57274-750-1 ISBN: 978-1-57274-750-0 Beach Riddles Jennie Spray Doering Illustrated by Steve Pica    Riddles and puns for summer fun. A drive to the beach will certainly be livelier if kids take this book along. Of course, they have to be sophisticated enough to enjoy the play on words and also enjoy questions, such as “Who keeps the ocean floor cleaning? Mermaids.” and “Which fish is the best fighter? The swordfish!” At the bottom of the page there are a few sentences of factual information. Kids will learn that when a swordfish is young it does not have a sword, but as it grows the upper jaw elongates and becomes the sword. To add to the beach fun, pair this book up with others, such as the Magic School Bus Gets Crabby to learn even more about the beach habitat. At the end of the book there are some tips for discussion and a definition of homophones. Also, there is a challenge for kids to make up their own riddles and a little bit of information about the author. Part of the “Silly Millies” series. 2007, Millbrook Press/Lerner Publishing Group, $5.95. Ages 6 to 8. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot (Children's Literature). ISBN: 9780761328858 ISBN: 0761328858 Beaches JoAnn Early Macken    This book is part of the series “Water Habitats.” It makes a great supplement to the elementary school curriculum. The beautiful photographs provide close-up views of marine life. Children also learn about dunes, barnacles, shells, and birds. The text is written at a second grade reading level, and the large font, stunning photographs, and the subject entice even a reluctant reader. In the “Note to Parents and Educators,” Susan Nations, M.Ed., an author, literacy coach, and a consultant in literacy development, explains how the series is designed to help children learn about the animals and plants that live in and around water. She also explains how the books can be used in classroom reading groups. The glossary is short, explaining six of the water habitat words that are used most often in the book. The “For More Information” page lists books and web sites the reader can use to continue to study this topic. Other books in this series include: Coral Reefs, Lakes Ocean Floors, Rivers, and Wetlands. They are available in English as well as in a bilingual English/Spanish version. 2006, Weekly Reader Early Learning Library, $19.33. Ages 4 to 8. Reviewer: Liz Rice (Children's Literature). ISBN: 0-8368-4882-9 ISBN: 0-8368-4889-6 ISBN: 978-0-8368-4882-3 ISBN: 978-0-8368-4889-2 Buzzy's Big Beach Book Harriet Ziefert and Emily Bolam    Some kids just run headlong into the waves at the beach with frantic parents tagging along. Others, like Buzzy, are more cautious. He is not keen on getting wet, is afraid the fish and jellyfish might bite, and concerned that the water is probably too cold. It is not until Dad offers to go with him that Buzzy discovers the joys of water play and turns into a Brave Buzzy. In the second story, Buzzy builds a sandcastle, but it is too close to the water and it gets washed away. To cheer him up, Dad offers to help build another one, and Buzzy learns that if that one is also washed away then they can build yet another sandcastle. A useful book for a first beach outing or to help kids remember how they overcame their fears and ended up having lots of fun. 2006, Blue Apple Books, $9.95. Ages 2 to 4. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot (Children's Literature). ISBN: 9781593541415 ISBN: 1593541414 Flotsam David Wiesner    A budding young scientist has brought his magnifying glass, binoculars, and microscope to the beach. As his parents relax, he begins to explore even before the title page. On the double-spread title page is an exhibition of some of the flotsam to be found. Then the wordless story of his investigations begins. We are sucked in immediately by Wiesner’s photorealistic images and the fashion in which they are presented. Double-page scenes show us the sweep of the ocean beach. A waterproof camera washes up in front of him, and in several varying sized rectangular scenes we see his vain attempts to discover the owner. A trip to the photo shop with the roll of film produces for him scenes of magical underwater life. There is also a photo of a young girl holding a packet of photos of other youngsters. Puzzling over this leads to examination under the magnifying glass and eventually the microscope. There he moves to further and further magnification of the pictures inside the pictures each child is holding, as the magnification rises to 70x and the scenes go back in time. Our hero thinks, then takes his own picture with the camera holding the other photos, and returns the camera to the undersea world. Finally it is washed ashore where a young girl reaches toward it, and the tale can go on. Mystery and humor combine in the watercolors that fascinate and stimulate further imagination. Note the different jacket and cover. 2006, Clarion Books/Houghton Mifflin Company, $17.00. Ages 5 to 9. Reviewers: Ken Marantz and Sylvia Marantz (Children's Literature). Best Books: Best Books of the Year, 2006; Publishers Weekly; United States Best Books of the Year, 2006; School Library Journal; United States Best Children's Books, 2006; Kirkus; United States Book Sense Children's Picks, Fall 2006; American Booksellers Association; United States Books for Holiday Gift-Giving, 2006; Association for Library Service to Childrern; United States Books for Youth, 2006; Booklist Editor's Choice; United States Children's Books 2006: 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing, 2006; New York Public Library; United States Children's Pick of the List, 2006; NAIBA; United States Choices, 2007; Cooperative Children’s Book Center; United States Horn Book Fanfare, 2006; United States Kirkus Book Review Stars, August 1, 2006; United States Notable Children's Book, 2007; ALSC American Library Association; United States Publishers Weekly Book Review Stars, July 24, 2006; Cahners; United States School Library Journal Book Review Stars, September 2006; Cahners; United States Awards, Honors, Prizes: Books of the Year Winner 2006 4 to 8 Years United States New York Times Best Illustrated Books of the Year Winner 2006 United States Randolph Caldecott Medal Winner 2007 United States ISBN: 0-618-19457-6 ISBN: 978-0-618-19457-5 Mairi's Mermaid Michael Morpurgo Illustrated by Lucy Richards    Mairi has a problem; she cannot swim. She wishes she could and she tries hard, but she just cannot do it. Still, she spends her day at the beach in the tidal pool, collecting sand crabs and envying the little sea critters who swim so naturally. Suddenly, she is bitten by a big ugly crab with a tiny mermaid in its grasp. Mairi begins a delightful adventure, helping the mermaid get back to her big rock, meeting the mermaid colony, and learning how to swim. There is little that is formulaic or rote about this book. It is a beautifully told story with just enough fantasy to engage its reader, but not enough to seem farfetched. Lucy Richards’ illustrations are fun and lively. They enrich the text in a manner similar to a Greek chorus, adding dialogue and interactions beyond Morpurgo’s words. In addition to adding dimension, dialogue bubbles within the illustrations provide further opportunity for reading practice. The book is part of the “Blue Bananas” reading primer series. For the not-quite-beginning reader, it offers a sophisticated reading experience to prepare for chapter books. Teachers’ guides are available for the “Bananas” series. 2006 (orig. 2001), Crabtree Publishing, $4.95. Ages 4 to 7. Reviewer: Ilene S. Goldman (Children's Literature). ISBN: 978-0-7787-0851-3 ISBN: 0-7787-0851-9 ISBN: 978-0-7787-0897-1 ISBN: 0-7787-0897-7 Once Upon a Tide Tony Mitton Illustrated by Selina Young    Two youngsters use their imagination to enjoy an exciting adventure by the seashore. They build a boat, stitch a sail, and launch it after acquiring a compass and chart. “Over the ocean / Bess and I / sailed to the place / where sea meets sky.” They come to the island marked on the chart and dig up a treasure chest. Chased by pirates and saved by a whale, they reach shore. There they build a shack and make it their home, to live there “forevermore.” Their imagination even extends to six children “sitting round our knees,” to whom they can tell the story. There is a sweetness to Young’s sketchy, double-page line and watercolor illustrations as she supplies all the contextual details beyond the small verses. Pigtailed Bess and her shorter narrator friend demonstrate their carpentry on a typical beach coast. A perky gull keeps watch and follows them on their journey. Lots of cloudy blue skies and green-tinted ocean make a fine setting for the boat and its patchy red sails. The fairy-tale “happy ever after” ending then returns them on the final page to the empty beach as they gaze out over the water together. 2004, A David Fickling Book/Random House Children’s Books, $16.95 and $18.99. Ages 3 to 8. Reviewers: Ken Marantz and Sylvia Marantz (Children's Literature) ISBN: 0-385-75100-1 ISBN: 0-385-75101-X ISBN: 978-0-385-75100-1 ISBN: 978-0-385-75101-8 One White Wishing Stone: A Beach Day Counting Book Doris K. Gayzagian llustrated by Kristina Swarner    Gayzagian has written a beautiful poem that has been illustrated by Kristina Swarner to make a charming beach counting book that will be enjoyed by both adults and children. The poem follows a young girl and her mother out for a day at the beach, including one of the favorite beach-goers’ pastimes of gathering “beach things” such as shells, feathers, and starfish. This rhyming poetry book is simple but striking. The illustrations are beautifully done to create the feel of a time spent on the beach, giving the illusion of the sun, sand, and water, with the predominant colors of yellow, green, and blue. These are followed by the colorful lavenders of a sunset after a full day at the beach. The child’s enjoyment of the time spent collecting and playing with her mother creates a celebration of joy that flows throughout the book. 2006, National Geographic, $16.99. Ages 3 up. Reviewer: Naomi Williamson (Children's Literature). ISBN: 0792251105 ISBN: 0792255739 ISBN: 9780792251101 ISBN: 9780792255734 Senses at the Seashore Shelley Rotner    The next best thing to a day at the beach is to open this glorious collection of photographs. Each photograph captures one of the senses (sight, sound, smell, touch, and taste), as a multicultural group of young people enjoy all the pleasures of sand, sea, and sun from early morning until sunset. This eye-catching mix of still and action shots prove what a camera can do in the hands of a master. The reader instinctively ducks as the sparkling waves crash on the shore. Rotner randomly mixes the order of senses to prevent monotony. The children are caught in large close-up shots which enhance the sensual textural effects, and the vibrant colors are truly spectacular, especially the deep blue of the background sky contrasting with the bright clothes and foods. Three double page spreads accentuate the action of running children and a young girl flying a kite. The colors of the text echo and integrate well with the pictures. Effective use of light and shadow is particularly evident in a shot of a boy holding a seagull feather, and a piece of slimy seaweed leaping out in a shimmering emerald green. Taste the corn and watermelon, smell the fish, and enjoy a vicarious seashore adventure. 2006, Millbrook Press, $22.60. Ages 3 to 7. Reviewer: Quinby Frank (Children's Literature). ISBN: 9780761328971 ISBN: 0761328971 Summer is Summer Phillis and David Gershator Illustrated by Sophie Blackall    Gertrude Stein (1874-1946) once coined the classic phrase, “A rose is a rose is a rose.” Her words are the inspiration for Summer is Summer. With lyrical language, Phyllis and David Gershator take readers on an imaginative voyage through a summery landscape. The book begins on a poetic note, “A rose is a rose / And everything grows / When summer is summer is summer.” Visions of bees, trees, and children playing tumble off the page. Sophie Blackall takes the reader through the landscape of childhood, exquisitely capturing the wonder of seeing things for the first time. The July afternoons filled with lemonade sales, a game of hide-and-seek, a cloud castle, and a day at the beach, complete with a sandpail and a sculpture of the Empire State Building, are painted scenes within this book. When young readers close the pages of this story, they will be ready to notice more details in their vivid summer landscape. Readers of all ages will return to Summer is Summer, remembering summers past and creating memories of summers present at the same time. The words and pictures complement each other, acting as a musical composition upon the pages of this colorful landscape. 2006, Henry Holt and Company, $16.95. Ages 3 to 6. Reviewer: Suzanna E. Henshon, Ph.D. (Children's Literature). Best Books: Choices, 2007; Cooperative Children’s Book Center; United States School Library Journal Book Review Stars, June 2006; Cahners; United States ISBN: 978-0-8050-7444-4 ISBN: 0-8050-7444-9 To stay up to date on new books on this topic, consider subscribing to The Children's Literature Comprehensive Database. For your free trial, click here. Updated 6/24/2007