written and illustrated by David Wiesner

An old underwater camera washes up on a beach, and the scientifically-minded boy who finds it discovers there is film inside. The photos reveal an extraordinarily unscientific perspective on life beneath the sea: a robotic fish, the cozy, lived-in look of an octopus family’s living room, a spaceship full of little green tourists, and other remarkable scenes. The last photo is of a child, who is holding the photo of a child, who is holding the photo of a child . . .  A wonderful, wordless, watercolor world.

-Mrs. K.

My Mom Made Me

Go to Camp

My Mom Made Me Go to Camp

by Judy Delton, illustrated by Lisa McCue

E DELTO

Having issues with camp attendance? Are there reluctant little campers nearby? My Mom Made Me Go to Camp shows how perseverance and stick-to-it-tiveness can ultimately result in reward and strong character. Reader note: this is one strong mommy!

-Mrs. Bailey

Dear Fish

written and illustrated by Chris Gall

E GALL

Peter Alan has so much fun at the beach one day that he sends the fish a note in a bottle, inviting them to come and visit. The next day, Peter Alan hears a strange gurgling sound and a strong smell coming from behind the shower curtain. . . You may have guessed who has come to call, but it all ends up being a little crazier than Peter Alan could have imagined! A fun, surreal trip, perfect for a post-beach read.

-Vicky

Beautiful, brightly colored linoleum cuts illustrate clever acrostic word poems, one letter of the alphabet to each page. They’re fun to read aloud and cover all the things we love about summer (daisies, picnics, beaches and more) and even one of the things we don’t (mosquitoes!)

-Miriam

written and illustrated by Deb Lucke

E LUCKE

One very hot summer, Eric Dooley watches his younger sister go from her first swimming lesson all the way to the diving board, while his fear of the water keeps him from joining her and the rest of the people of Clermont County in the pool.

-Barbara

by Charlotte Zolotow, illustrated by Wendell Minor

E ZOLOT

The Seashore Book is a serene story in which a mother responds to her little boy's question, "What is the seashore like?" Her description of the seashore is poetic, detailed and vivid. One can almost hear the wind and waves, and smell the salty sea. The book is illustrated by the paintings of artist Wendell Minor. I especially enjoy this juxtaposition of poetry and art. The Seashore Book also conveys the closeness between a mother and her son. It is a relaxing story for bedtime, beachtime, or anytime!

-Mrs. Weicher

On the Way to the Beach
written and illustrated by Henry Cole

J 591.7 COLE

When you go to the beach to play in the surf and the sand, don't forget about all the creatures that live there. Henry Cole's book can help. He takes us on a walk from the woodlands to the salt marsh, to the sand dunes and finally the beach. Each place is beautiful illustrated with animals and plants we may find there. Can you find all the creatures hiding on the pages? Can you find any of these creatures at your beach?

-Dawn