Daydreaming at the Beach: Picture Book Pleasures
RSSJoy Fleishhacker, Curriculum Connections--School Library Journal
Surf the Sand
Blending imagination, curiosity, and a touch of adventure, Karen Lynn Williams's A Beach Tail (Boyds Mills, 2010; PreS-Gr 2) effectively conveys a child's perspective. After Gregory sketches a critter in the sand, his father suggests that "Sandy Lion" needs a tail. Picking up his stick, the boy sets off across the beach, drawing a solid line that loops around the "gooey blob" of a purple jellyfish, bounds above a wave-crashed castle, and zigzags to avoid a horseshoe crab. Drawing the tail longer and longer, Gregory enthusiastically explores his environs, but is careful to obey his father's rules--"Don't go in the water,/and don't leave Sandy" (children will be amused by the boy's rather literal interpretation of the second edict).
When the boy reaches the jetty and discovers that he has lost sight of Dad, he experiences an unsettling moment. Never fear, the clever kid simply follows Sandy's meandering tail back to the towel, where his father, who has been watching over him the whole time, is ready for a swim. Awash with gentle rhythms and "swish-swoosh" sound effects, the narrative is reassuring and satisfying. Floyd Cooper's texture-filled paintings depict the setting splendidly and underscore the characters' affectionate relationship. Share this tale with your students and set them loose outdoors with sidewalk chalk to embark upon their own roundabout adventures.
Elisha Cooper's vivacious text and charmingly detailed artwork invite children to slather on the sunscreen and experience the sights and sounds of a typical day at the Beach (Scholastic, 2006; PreS-Gr 3). Kids will want to look closely at the fluid illustrations, which zoom in to show people engaging in activities ranging from sunbathing to sand-digging. Broader depictions of various beachscapes (e.g., ocean views, a lighthouse, a quiet marsh), undulating waves ("nature's roller coaster"), and clouds in ever-changing formations complete the picture. The book's descriptive language, keen visuals, and evocative insights create an almost tangible impression, one that will leave readers shaking sand out of their shoes.
When Bebe Goes to the Beach (Harcourt, 2008; Pres-Gr 2), the mischievous toddler is "all giggles and smiles" as he energetically investigates his stimulating surroundings with his ever-patient Mama in tow. Sprinkled with Spanish words, Susan Middleton Elya's rhyming verses are as buoyant and bouncy as a beach ball. Steven Salerno's retro-style illustrations blend flowing lines with Popsicle-bright hues, revealing an irresistible young protagonist with a round head, expressive eyes, and a squiggle of curly hair. Children will chuckle at the busy baby's humorous exploits, until he finally falls into a contented sleep on his striped beach blanket. An appended glossary and pronunciation guide make this bilingual tale a breeze to read aloud.
Facing Fears
Wearing a swimsuit version of her trademark ladybug costume, Lulu heads out with her family for her first ever visit to the seashore. Though this courageous young heroine and her sidekick (a floppy-eared basset hound named Bingo) have conquered many situations in the past, the girl now finds herself hesitant to get too close to the ocean, which is unexpectedly "big and noisy." Lulu retreats to the beach blanket to pursue other pastimes--castle building, kite flying, ice-cream eating--while looking longingly at the water. It takes a real challenge--rescuing her favorite pail from floating away--for Lulu to dive right in and face her fears. Illustrated with sprightly artwork, David Soman and Jacky Davis's Ladybug Girl at the Beach (Dial, 2010; PreS-Gr 2) is an empowering tale about embracing new experiences and overcoming apprehensions.
In Scaredy Squirrel at the Beach (Kids Can, 2008; K-Gr 3), Melanie Watt's endearingly paranoid, tree-hugging main character decides he'd "rather vacation at home alone where it's safe than risk being surrounded by the wrong crowd" (e.g., "herds of sea monsters," "packs of pirates," and "mobs" of mean-faced lobsters). Determined to build his own beach, he brings in the proper decor (kitty litter, inflatable pool, plastic flamingo, etc.) but discovers that one important element is missing: the ocean's soothing sound. Though his elaborate plan to travel to the shore and snag a seashell goes wrong, it does result in a positive attitude readjustment (beachside crowds aren't all that bad) and a bit of rodent relaxation. Done in creamy pastels, the digitally rendered illustrations are filled with upbeat touches and funny details (including Scaredy Squirrel's obsessive lists) that bring the book's message home with a light touch.
Getting There Is Half the Fun
Equipped with a bathing suit, goggles and snorkel, green flippers, and a big yellow inner tube, a straw-haired boy is determined to go To the Beach (Candlewick, 2009; K-Gr 3), despite the rain falling outside his window. Resolute, he uses his imagination to travel via airplane, sailboat, truck, and camel to reach his destination, where he has a wonderful time, and then concocts an equally inventive itinerary for returning home (by way of Antarctica). Thomas Docherty's simple text is expanded through vibrant watercolor-and-ink illustrations that combine realistic detail with an anything-is-possible sense of fancy. Clues in the pictures suggest where the plot will journey next, encouraging readers to participate in the storytelling. The book ends with an open-ended "So where to next?" (with the boy gazing at the moon), inviting daydreamers to take flight.
In Linda Ashman's uproarious rhyming read-aloud, a family piles into the car and heads To the Beach! (Harcourt, 2005; PreS-Gr 3), but repeatedly returns to their house for forgotten items (everything from Baby's ducky pail, to the cooler, to Fido). Of course, when they are finally on the highway, a sudden storm forces them to turn around. Back at home, they hurry to unpack the car...just as the sun comes out. The final spread shows the exhausted family enjoying their beach toys and an inflatable pool in their own backyard. Nadine Bernard Westcott's lively cartoons provide this snicker-inducing tale with just the right balance of frenzy and funny.
Imagine This
In Once Upon a Tide (Random, 2006; PreS-Gr 2), two children embark on a seagoing adventure filled with wonder and whimsy. The first-person narrative is enchanting: "Down by the seashore/Bess and I/stood on the sand/and looked at the sky./Bess got the hammer./I got the saw./We both built a boat/right there on shore." The intrepid youngsters obtain a map, sail over the ocean to track down a treasure, evade pirates with the help of a friendly whale, and return home to live happily ever after. Tony Mitton's lilting rhymes and Selina Young's lush, aqua-hued watercolors are imbued with childlike panache and the satisfaction of an experience creatively envisioned and contentedly shared.
Most of the action in Laura Vaccaro Seeger's What If? (Roaring Brook, 2010; PreS-Gr 2) is conveyed through gorgeous color-saturated paintings that shimmer with the blues, golds, and sunset pinks of the seaside setting. The premise is simple: a boy finds a beach ball and kicks it into the ocean where it is discovered and played with by a pair of seals. When the ball floats back to shore, a third seal appears, wanting to join in the fun. The rest of the book presents three possible outcomes, with the animals interacting in different ways (two seals playing together and leaving the third out, or all three sharing in the final version).
Spurred on only by brief phrases ("What if...?" or "But then..."), children are placed in the narrative captain's chair, as they interpret and voice the events depicted in each scenario and compare and contrast the plot lines. In addition to helping kids hone their observational and verbal skills, this book can be used to introduce and discuss the basic structure of a story, or as a creative prompt for students writing or illustrating their own version of this beachside adventure.
