Suffused with blue skies, dazzling sunshine, and lighthearted adventure, these picture books are just right for summer storytimes, reading lists, and book displays.
Chu’s Day at the Beach. By Neil Gaiman. illus. by Adam Rex. Harper. 2015. Tr $17.99. ISBN 9780062223999; ebk $10.99. ISBN 9780062400123; Downloadable audio file $1.99. ISBN 9780062355546.
PreS-Gr 1—The irrepressible panda and his parents are enjoying the seashore when Chu emits a titanic sneeze that splits the ocean in two, much to the consternation of its inhabitants. The only way to fix the problem is with another epic achoo, but the young panda will need everyone’s best nose-tickling efforts to help produce the much-needed expulsion of air. Accessible text, comical color-drenched artwork, and “AAH. AAAAH. AAAAAH” anticipation make this a tale worth sneezing for.
Dinotrux Dig the Beach. By Chris Gall. illus. by author. Little, Brown. 2015. Tr $17. ISBN 9780316375535; ebk $9.99. ISBN 9780316341974.
PreS-Gr 2—Gall’s creatively concocted dinosaur/truck mashups return for another adventure. Summer is steamy in the prehistoric jungle, so the “grumpy and overheated” Dinotrux trundle to a secluded spot for a vacation. Familiar seaside endeavors quickly ensue, as Digasaurus buries himself in the sand, Garbageadon explores a tide pool, Rollodon flattens trees into surfboards so everyone can hang ten, and the lumbering creatures team up to build the best (and first) sand castle ever. These characters shine with their expressive windowpane eyes and toothy grille smiles, lithe liveliness, and humorously presented antics.
Duck’s Vacation. By Gilad Soffer. illus. by author. Feiwel and Friends. 2015. Tr $17.99. ISBN 9781250056474; ebk $9.99. ISBN 9781250087034.
PreS-Gr 3—Duck is just settling into his folding chair on a pristine tropical beach when, suddenly, his sunglasses fly into the air and his ice cream cone catapults to the sand. Infuriated, he exclaims, “What just happened? Who turned the page?” (Readers are the guilty parties, of course). Still, the story must go on, and despite the beleaguered bird’s repeated directives (“Do. Not. Turn. Any. More. Pages.”), he soon finds himself squaring off against challenges that include a pinching crab, extreme weather, and pirates with a taste for duck soup. This playful picture book’s witty cartoon artwork and inventive twists make for giggles galore.
Feet, Go to Sleep. By Barbara Bottner. illus. by Maggie Smith. Knopf. 2015. Tr $16.99. ISBN 9780449813256; PLB $19.99. ISBN 9780449813263; ebook. $10.99. ISBN 9780449813270.
PreS-Gr 2—Despite a busy day at the beach, a pajama-clad girl is not ready for bedtime. “You must be tired, from your head to your toes,” says Mama, inspiring Fiona to instruct each body part to go to sleep while revisiting its role in her activities—toes “were for gripping flip-flops,” feet for stomping in waves, legs for chasing cousins, and so on, right up to ears that doze off while listening to the chatting of grownups sitting outside. Sun-streaked, texture-touched paintings of Fiona’s multi-racial family flash back to the fun, while dark-hued insets depict an increasingly heavy-eyed child. A sweet and satisfying goodnight tale.
Fetch. By Jorey Hurley. illus. by author. Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman Bks. 2015. Tr $17.99. ISBN 9781442489691; ebk $12.99. ISBN 9781442489707.
PreS-Gr 1—When a red ball is tossed into the ocean, an eager dog goes in hot pursuit, embarking on a high-spirited romp that entails crashing and paddling through waves, face-to-face encounters with denizens of the California coast, a few frisky detours, and a happy return to a waiting youngster. Each dynamically designed spread features a single active verb (“dive” or “run”), encouraging young listeners to narrate the happenings, empowering beginning readers, and urging everyone to smile along with the winsome pooch.
Fun in the Sun. By David Catrow. illus. by author. Holiday House. 2015. Tr $16.95. ISBN 9780823429455.
PreS-Gr 2—It’s a crystal clear morning, and an enthusiastic pooch dons purple swim trunks, packs up a picnic basket, and rigs his goldfish’s bowl with wheels and pull-string for easy travel. Hoping he didn’t forget anything, he climbs aboard a beach-bound bus packed with other sun-seekers for a day bursting with sand-filled hijinks, wacky wave play, crazy kite flying, and lots of new friends. Catrow’s zany detail-packed visuals unfold with perfect comic timing, right up to the pup’s return home, when his now bright-pink skin and white bathing suit silhouette clue readers in about the left-behind necessity.
Ice Cream Summer. By Peter Sís. illus. by author. Scholastic. 2015. Tr $17.99. ISBN 9780545731614.
K-Gr 2—A bright-eyed boy assures Grandpa that he is continuing to learn throughout a fun-filled summer. Meanwhile, the candy-colored paintings humorously reveal that Joe’s educational activities have been served à la mode: he’s “conquering big words” (i.e., “cherry tornado” and “mango explosion” flavors), practicing math facts (adding and subtracting scoops), studying world history (beginning with the sweet treat’s origins in Ancient China), and more. From sugar-cone trees to scoop-shaped ocean waves, ingenious ice cream imagery abounds, and tasty facts are sprinkled throughout the tongue-in-cheek presentation. And despite taking “a break on sundaes” (Joe naps upon a fudge-covered frozen confection), he proves himself worthy of Grandpa’s promised reward (a trek up Ice Cream Peak, of course).
Pool. By JiHyeon Lee. illus. by author. Chronicle. 2015. Tr $16.99. ISBN 9781452142944.
PreS-Gr 2—In this wordless picture book, a pensive boy dives beneath the throng of swimmers and large inflated toys that crowd a public pool and discovers a fantastical underwater world as well as a new friend. Mesmerized, the two youngsters mingle with oddball creatures of all kinds and revel in finding a like-minded companion. Lee’s paintings, done in muted hues with splatters of color, convey wondrous events and remind readers to seek the magic in everyday moments.
Sea Bones. By Bob Barner. illus. by author. Chronicle. 2015. $16.99. ISBN 9781452125008.
K-Gr 2—Barner follows Dem Bones (1996) and Dinosaur Bones (2001, both Chronicle) with a look at a variety of spectacular marine creatures. Rhyming verses and effervescent collage artwork draw youngsters into the sea-hued pages, while smaller-print paragraphs provide the skinny on each species’ osteological characteristics (or lack thereof). Information flows along with these undersea inhabitants as a blue whale and calf (vertebrates) swim across a spread, crabs (invertebrates) skitter along a sparkling coral reef, and a giant-size jellyfish (no bones, no brain) gracefully “drifts with waves.”
See You Next Year. By Andrew Larsen. illus. by Todd Stewart. Owlkids. 2015. Tr $17.95.
ISBN 9781926973999.
PreS-Gr 3—Concrete details and stunning silkscreen artwork evoke the cozy routines and restful rhythms of an annual family vacation. After driving the well-known route to the same motel that her family has stayed out since she was little, a pony-tailed girl describes familiar activities—time spent at the beach, a concert at the local bandstand, a Friday night bonfire—made even more special by the presence of a new friend. At week’s end, the children’s reluctant farewells are softened by the knowledge that they will be reunited next year. A lovely jaunt, filled with engaging verve and old-fashioned charm.
Swimming, Swimming. By Gary Clement. illus. by author. Groundwood. 2015. Tr $18.95. ISBN 9781554984497; ebk $16.95. ISBN 9781554984503.
K-Gr 4—Exuberant cartoon paintings bring the traditional children’s song—and the perfect summer’s day—to vivid life. Mostly wordless spreads bustling with details depict four friends walking to the community pool, spending hours cheerfully swimming and clowning around, grabbing a treat from the ice cream truck, and then heading for home. The simple lyrics are presented in large-size dialogue balloons, belted out by the gleeful youngsters and a chorus of fellow frolicking pool visitors. A cheerful choice for at-home sing-alongs or making a splash during storytime.
The Whale in My Swimming Pool. By Joyce Wan. illus. by author. FSG. 2015. Tr $17.99. ISBN 9780374300371; Board $7.99. ISBN 9780374301880; ebk $9.99. ISBN 9781466893566.
PreS-Gr 1—A young bathing-suit-wearing boy races outside on a blue-sky day only to discover that his peach-colored kiddie pool is already occupied by a sizable and serenely smiling cetacean. Simple text and bold illustrations chronicle the youngster’s amusing and ineffectual attempts to oust the creature by cajoling, bribery, and even crane. Just as he finds a solution—riding the whale’s spout on an inflatable floatie—he’s called inside for naptime (where a bear already hogs his bed). Droll visuals and buoyant touches make for read-aloud fun.