BEACH DAY!

What at first blush appears to be an early-early reader with all the questionable charm of Dick, Jane, Sally, and Spot turns out to be a modest, yodeling read along (or at least reading the oversized words). “ ‘HOT!’ said Sam. ‘SUNNY,’ said Pam. ‘SWEATY,’ said Will. ‘SWIM?’ said Jill. ‘BEACH’ said Sam, Pam, Will and Jill.” This is good, simple stuff: a bunch of alligator pals decide to go cool off at the beach, get lost on their bicycle built for four, have a picnic, and find the beach in time for a moon-lit swim. The art is as bright as a summer day on the Mediterranean and the characters possess big-caliber grins and grimaces. Elementary concepts like up and down and under and over get illustrated and the words LOST and LOOK and PICNIC come in super-jumbo type size, giving the youngest a chance to join in the reading. A great follow-up to the team’s Snow Day (2000). (Picture book. 2-5)