Crustacean Vacation

PreS-K–“From out of the sea, from out of the spray,/The crab family’s going on holiday!” Father, mother, grandma, and sister and brother crablets all head for a seaside resort to try out the pool and spa, an arcade, and a water park. The bright cartoon illustrations show each creature with distinct characteristics and attire, living it up on the beach until it’s time to return to the sea. Dad clutches a camera, mom has polka-dot glasses, grandma wears a white bathing cap with flowers (and is game for anything), sister has a snorkel outfit, and brother, a baseball hat. Their antics are fun but a little hard to follow because of the busyness of the illustrations, and sometimes the rhyming couplets are labored. But even though both pictures and text could use more clarity, libraries needing more books on summer might want to add this one. It will certainly appeal to a young child’s sense of humor.–Judith Constantinides, formerly at East Baton Rouge Parish Main Library, LA