Themed Reviews (A Visit to the Beach... Books for Everyone)

Themed Reviews

A Visit to the Beach... Books for Everyone

One of the most anticipated summer events is time at the beach. Below is a selection of books about the beach for all ages. For some children this summer may mark their very first beach trip, for others, a yearly family vacation. Even if the beach is not on the agenda, you can use these books to help transport a child to their own personal beach oasis.

Maybe you know a budding artist? What better place than the beach to make a Gaudi-esque drip sandcastle. Or you know the next Misty May and Kerri Walsh? Beach volleyball was first played in 1915 on the beaches in California. The beach can be a great jumping off point to learn about art, sports, or marine life.

For more information and ideas look at the following links.

And make sure you check out our feature on Summer Fun for more great ideas.

Contributor: Emily Griffin

Reviews

Beach Day!
Anahid Hamparian
Illustrations by Kristin Sorra
With a very limited vocabulary of about 13 words the author describes a young girl's outing to the beach. The pages are filled with crisp stylized illustrations and on each spread the text simply says "hello," and whatever the item might be. "Hello, beach! Hello, umbrella! Hello, Seagull! and so on. The illustrations show the object and any related actions. It is a delightful way to introduce very young children to a beach outing and the book is sturdy enough to be tucked into a beach bag when the outing takes place. The surprise in the predictable pattern comes on the final page when the word goodbye is introduced. Part of the "Board Buddies" series. 2009, Marshall Cavendish, Ages 1 to 3, $7.99. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot
ISBN: 0-7614-5530-2
ISBN: 978-0-7614-5530-1

Bebé Goes to the Beach
Susan Middleton Elya
Illustrated by Steven Salerno
The colors and excitement of a day at the beach are captured by the vivid illustrations and happy expressions of Bebé and Mamà in this, the second book about Bebé. It is a busy day at the beach, and Bebé joins right in. He lets his mom apply suntan lotion, and then he rushes to jump into the waves and feel the icy-cold water. After eating a picnic lunch, Bebé plays in the sand. While admiring some sand sculptures, Bebé sees a surf board. He cannot resist; he jumps on it. Oops! The board was made of sand. It breaks, and the sculptor comes running. Mamà and Bebé go for ice cream and make tracks in the sand. Finally, the tired little boy falls asleep on his beach towel, and Mamà has a chance to relax in her lounge chair. The text is liberally sprinkled with Spanish words, all of which are listed in a glossary that includes notes about proper pronunciation. Most of the words can be guessed by studying the illustrations, and those kids who are not conversant in Spanish will be able to make a game of figuring out the meanings. 2008, Harcourt, $16.00. Ages 3 to 5. Reviewer: Carolyn Mott Ford (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 978-0-1520-6000-8

Catching the Sun
Coleen M. Paratore
Illustrated by Peter Catalanotto
Dylan and his mother awake to catch the sun on Dylan's fifth birthday. They are spending their final day on Cape Cod, a last attempt to catch the sun rising. Dylan knows that next summer he cannot come and sit with Mom by the ocean. A new baby is coming. Dylan and his mother see the sea gulls and listen to the waves as the sky turns orange. Dylan struggles to accept the new baby that will take away his mother's attention. He feels sad when he thinks he has lost the sun's light. His mother assures him that he cannot lose it because he can close his eyes and remember. She tells him, "It's all still there." Slowly, Dylan realizes that things are changing but that he can always close his eyes and remember. The words of this peaceful, warm picture book complement the watercolor illustrations of the beach, Dylan, his mother, and the sun. With the evocative descriptions of the waves' sounds, it would make a wonderful read-aloud for older preschool or kindergarten children. The story captures the joy and durability of spending even a brief time just with mom. 2008, Charlesbridge, $16.95. Ages 4 to 7. Reviewer: Elizabeth Fronk (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 978-1-5709-1720-2

Duck Dunks
Lynne Berry
Illustrated by Hiroe Nakata
A summer's day at the beach could not be more enjoyable than in the company of these five darling, delightful duckies. In pitch-perfect rhyming text (reminiscent in its read-aloud lilt of Nancy Shaw's Sheep in a Jeep), Berry celebrates and savors the simple pleasures of sea and sand: "Ducks hit the shoreline. Ducks dive in. Five little ducklings bob and spin." Young readers are invited to count the ducklings at play, as "One duck gurgles. Two ducks whirl. Three ducks burble. Four ducks swirl." While a bit of excitement is provided by an encounter with a nipping crab, the highlight of the story is the moment when the ducks' kite soars into the air: "Three ducks point. Four look up high. Five little ducks cheer, ‘Fly, kite, fly!'" Nakata's watercolors are absolutely adorable, whether depicting the ducks' picnic of clam cakes and jam cakes (with one duck buried in the sand except for beaked head and webbed feet) or the ducks curled up for sleep in their bedtime basket at the end of their glorious day. A merry morsel of frolicsome fun. 2008, Henry Holt, $16.95. Ages 3 to 5. Reviewer: Claudia Mills (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 978-0-8050-8128-2

Fun Dog, Sun Dog
Deborah Heiligman
Illustrated by Tim Bowers
Summertime is not far away and outdoor adventures are bound to happen especially if you have a pet dog. This story relates the adventures of a young boy with his dog, Tinka. It is a rhyming romp through a day at the beach. Children who have never enjoyed the beach will have a new window on the world from this title. It could also be used in a poetry class as an example of making poems from everyday situations. Readers can anticipate what might happen on the next page by looking for clues as they read the story. Bright colors and clever word play make it a great read aloud or good practice for the beginning reader. If you are the owner of a golden retriever, the story will have a special significance. The illustrations vary in size and shape—in inset on a bright white page as well as several spreads with great perspectives and plenty of humor. Originally published as a picture book, it is now available for younger children in a board book format.2009, Marshall Cavendish, Ages 1 to 3, $7.99. Reviewers: Barbara Youngblood and Marilyn Courtot (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 978-0-7614-5531-8
ISBN: 0-7614-5531-0

Gilbert, the Surfer Dude
Diane deGroat
Children who are familiar with Gilbert, the Opossum, as well as new fans will enjoy Gilbert's first appearance in an "I Can Read" book. Two things threaten to spoil a perfect family outing to the beach. Sister Lola is afraid to go in the water, and Gilbert has forgotten his bathing suit. At the store, although his mother says it's too big, Gilbert insists on picking out a swim suit that has Surfer Dude written on it. Once Gilbert has helped Lola dig a pond in the sand and fill it with water, he leaves her and races out into the ocean where he's promptly knocked down. With the help of his father, Gilbert manages to catch a wave and has a brief thrill of surfing just before being knocked down again and losing his too-big suit. After recovering his swim suit, Gilbert is content to enjoy the beach in Lola's little pool. In the "I Can Read!" series, this book, divided into three short chapters, ranks at a middle level, high interest story for developing readers. Humorous illustrations add to the fun of this recommended book. 2009, HarperCollins Publishers, Ages 4 to 8, $16.99. Reviewer: Phyllis J. Perry (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 978-0-0612-5211-2

Kailey
Amy Goldman Ross
Illustrations by Philip Howe
Kailey, age 10, enjoys surfing waves and watching tide pool creatures at the local beach. When she explores tide pools, Kailey feels like she's looking into a miniature world filled with sea anemones, urchins, crabs, and little octopi. But when Kailey and her friend, Tess, see a sign for a resort-mall-movie complex that will be built soon, the girls get excited. What could be better than having a mall in the neighborhood? Kailey and Tess can't wait to visit the twelve movie theaters and to shop at the new mall. Then Kailey learns a devastating truth: the developer will haul away the rocky tide pools to create a sandy beach for tourists to walk on. What will happen to all the creatures that live in the tide pools if they lose their habitat? And what can Kailey do to stop this destruction? Kailey decides to take action and becomes a budding environmentalist. But her heart, she fears it is already too late. In this adventurous story, young readers will meet an interesting heroine who is determined to make a difference in the world. 2003, American Girl, Ages 8 to 12, $6.95. Reviewer: Suzanna E. Henshon, Ph.D. (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 1-58485-591-6

Melrose and Croc Beside the Sea
Emma Chichester Clark
Best friends, Melrose and Croc, are back in their fourth book. Melrose, (a large yellow dog), is cheerful about the lovely summer day, but Croc (a small green crocodile) is in a glum mood. Melrose embarks on a guessing game using items for the beach – a soft towel with blue and white stripes, a bouncy ball, and a shiny pail. Croc does not respond until Melrose asks where they might be going with all these things. Then he begins to smile as both of them head for the beach. Croc instigates his own guessing game. "What is green and quick and pulls dogs' tails?" he asks. Croc jumps on the beach chairs and dangles seaweed in Melrose's face before they have a joyful romp along the beach and jump into the water. In the end the two friends enjoy ice cream cones that are "icy and white and taste very nice." The pages are filled with active illustrations in pastel tones. The joy of friendship shines through. A fun choice for read aloud time. 2007, "Melrose and Croc" series, HarperCollins, Ages 3 to 6, $8.95. Reviewer: Phyllis Kennemer (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 978-0-00-718244-2
ISBN: 0-00-718244-9

Miranda's Beach Day
Holly Keller
Mama takes Miranda to the beach on a hot summer day. Miranda watches the seagulls, wiggles her toes in the sand, swishes in the waves, and builds a sand castle for a small crab. A boy and his little sister come to help make "the best castle ever" for the crab. But the crab runs back to the sea as the waves make an island of the castle and then wash it away. Mama reassures Miranda that they will come again and make another castle for the crab. But, she notes, "…the crab will always belong to the sea." "The way the castle belongs to the sand?" asks Miranda. "Yes," says her mother. "And the way you belong to me." The simple story ends with the warmth of love. The sunny scene of land, sea, and sky is set on wide double pages. The figures are stylized, simplified,with dot-eyed faces. A few decorative beach umbrellas add to the appeal. The crab is attractive; even stronger are the impressions made by the fanciful wavelets breaking on the shore like strands of unraveling fabrics. The author/artist devotes a final page to an illustrated explanation of her process of making the printed collages she painted with watercolors and used for the waves, clothes, and umbrellas. Six different patterns are seen on the back jacket/cover. 2009, Greenwillow Books/HarperCollins Publishers, Ages 2 to 5. $17.99. Reviewers: Ken Marantz and Sylvia Marantz (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 978-0-06-158298-1
ISBN: 978-0-06-158300-1

Mr. Sunny is Funny!
Dan Gutman
Illustrated by Jim Paillot
Up-and-coming third grader A.J. hates school. He also hates Andrea, "Little Miss Perfect Know-It-All." Luckily for A.J., it is summer vacation, and that means he will not have to contend with school or Andrea for over seven million seconds (according to his trusty calculator), or so he thinks, until Andrea shows up to share his family's beach house! It is almost a catastrophe; luckily, Andrea is smitten with 16-year-old lifeguard Evan (a.k.a. Mr. Sunny), whose motto is "Sand is my life." Sadly, Andrea's love is unrequited; Mr. Sunny is obsessed with building a sandcastle for a big contest. Who can blame him? First prize is a trip to France, where he hopes "to study sand sculpture from the great sand masters." A.J. convinces broken-hearted Andrea to win Mr. Sunny's attention by pretending to drown. Unfortunately, Andrea gets a cramp and actually almost drowns. Even more unfortunately, Mr. Sunny is busy fending off a shark (plus it turns out he is one of those lifeguards who cannot really swim), so it is A.J. to the rescue! The second in Gutman's "My Weird School Daze" series, this is another wacky tale sure to keep kids, and their parents, smiling. Gutman even manages to sneak in some Shakespeare (but do not tell anyone). Paillot's black-and-white illustrations are just silly enough to add to the spirit of fun. 2008, HarperTrophy/HarperCollins, $3.99. Ages 8 to 10. Reviewer: Naomi Milliner (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 978-0-0613-4609-5

Ocean's Child
Christine Ford and Trish Holland
Illustrated by David Diaz
An Inuit mother and her ocean child paddle toward home as the other ocean's children go to sleep. Stunningly beautiful illustrations by Caldecott medalist David Diaz complement the gentle free verse goodnight poem. In their bedtime journey the mother and baby see whales, polar bears, sea otters and puffins as the daylight gradually fades to moonlight. The faces of the humans and the animals remain luminous in the deepening twilight, surrounding them in a warm glow and the northern lights shimmer overhead, creating a magical world. Young children will enjoy the soothing rhythm of the poem as they prepare to go to sleep. The illustrations create an atmosphere of safety and harmony that lends to the bedtime story quality. 2009, Golden Books/Random House, Ages 2 to 5, $15.99. Reviewer: Ellen Welty (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 978-0-375-84752-3
ISBN: 978-0-375-95752-9

Scaredy Squirrel at the Beach
Mélanie Watt
Humor abounds in this tale about Scaredy's adventure to the beach. Formatted as a thirty-two-page book, the author pulls in the audience with a dynamic first page that calls for more. The premise is that Scaredy will build his own beach to keep from going to a real one that has animals and other things he is afraid of. He creates a guide for building a beach that includes materials and specific directions. A two-page spread features Scaredy lolling around after he completes his beach. The "fake" beach is missing the sound of the ocean, so Scaredy gets braver and plans a trip to the real beach. He makes elaborate plans for the trip, including a passport, map, time line, clothing, and means of travel. However, once at the beach he discovers something he had not thought about--crowds of people! His solution is to play dead. After two hours, he has been covered with sand and decorated by little beach-goers. He then realizes joining the beach crowd is not so bad. After returning home he adds a crowd by using gnome figures and the sound of the beach by using a souvenir shell, to his own beach. Amusing cartoonlike illustrations add to the text and the busyness of the illustrations calls for several reads. Some pages resemble those from a Richard Scarry book because they offer the reader opportunity for searching for many things. This fun book will keep kids laughing while teaching the lesson that fears can be overcome. 2008, Kids Can Press Ltd, $15.95. Ages 9 to 12. Reviewer: Nancy Garhan Attebury (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 978-1-5545-3225-4

Saving Ballyhoo Bay
Judy Sierra
Illustrated by Derek Anderson
Every Saturday the artist Mira Bella teaches classes on Ballyhoo Beach not only to the people but to all the resident creatures, from seagulls to squids. Deftly crafted rhyming couplets describe the incredible variety of artistic creations produced. Mira Bella's plans for an Art Fair and recycled Art-Cycle race are abruptly halted, however, when signs appear on the beach announcing the construction of apartments, a casino, and garage. She is determined to protest. Everyone cooperates, drawing plans to leave the beach alone. Even the builders have to give in. The Art Fair is a huge success; the environmentalists have won. "Truth is beauty…" Mira Bella declares. The rather crude acrylic painting on the end pages hints about the subject, while the smiling sun on the title page predicts a happy story. We are almost prepared for the enthusiastic heroine as she strides onto the beach, brush and paper in hand, flippers on her feet. Vignettes display her art teaching and exercises with the miscellaneous students above and below the water. Humor drives the action of the rounded but cartoony characters even as they arm for battle. 2009, A Paula Wiseman Book/Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, $16.99. Ages 4 to 8. Reviewers: Ken Marantz and Sylvia Marantz (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 978-1-4169-5888-8

To the Beach
Thomas Docherty
Our young narrator, already in his snorkeling gear, peers out the window at the rain. He's ready for the beach despite the weather. All he needs is his imagination, which soon supplies an airplane, a sailboat, a truck, a camel, and of course the sand and the sea. The camel becomes the friend necessary for fun at the beach. Then when it's time to go home, a tanker picks him up amid penguins and ice, a helicopter flies him to a bicycle that arrives at a tractor to take him there. "So where to next?" ends the sparse, almost unnecessary text. Through a cutout circle on the cover, surrounded by a yellow inner tube, we can see our charming hero already on the camel in the desert, ready for the trip. There's a lighthearted quality to the watercolor and ink drawings, making it easy to join the fun and ignore the possible dangers along the way. As our hero gazes out into the starry night sky, the final textless pages offer visual speculations on adventures to come. 2009, A Templar Book/Candlewick Press, Ages 3 to 6, $15.99. Reviewers: Ken Marantz and Sylvia Marantz (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 978-0-7636-4429-1

Wave
Suzy Lee
This beautifully illustrated, wordless picture book will serve as a wonderful starting point for story and language development for young children. Older youngsters should also enjoy making up a story to go with the pictures. The charcoal/acrylic drawings use black, grey, and blue to narrate a little girl's encounter with the ocean's waves at the beach. Her body language and facial expressions draw us into her increasingly bold actions with the water. On one page she even sticks out her tongue at an approaching wave while the seabirds fly rapidly away. But the sea is not to be mocked and suddenly the child is completely engulfed by a huge wave. Her confused and bedraggled appearance is perfectly executed, only to be rapidly replaced with wonderment as she discovers what is left behind--lovely shells, starfish, and pebbles. Soon her mother appears and it is time to reluctantly say goodbye and head for home. An added bonus is found on the endpapers that depict numerous treasures to be found on the beach. This can lead to further exploration in order to identify what is pictured. Definitely add this to the first purchase list. 2008, Chronicle Books, $ 15.99. Ages 4 to 12. Reviewer: Sylvia Firth (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 978-0-8118-5924-0

Where Is Baby's Beach Ball
Karen Katz
There are big flaps for little hands in this board book that is set on a warm summer day. Baby and her family have headed out to the seashore. Baby is looking for her beach ball. Is it behind the umbrella? No, but she does find a collection of shells. Baby looks in her mother's beach bag, behind a boat and a sand castle. The beach ball is not in the water, but other interesting things are there and part of baby's world. They are nearly all reprised in the final scene when baby eventually finds her missing ball. The bright, bold illustrations will appeal to young readers and the illogic of finding an octopus or flying fish won't really matter as kids learn a bit about things they might expect to see on a beach outing. 2009, Little Simon/Simon & Schuster, Ages 6 mo to 2, $6.99. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 978-1-4169-4962-6

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Updated 07/29/09

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