THIS BEACH IS LOUD!

A young child gets excited about an upcoming beach trip with Dad, but when they arrive, the beach proves to be louder and more overwhelming than anticipated.

It’s beach day! This energetic tyke cannot wait to wake Dad up and hit the road. The drive is full of excitement, anticipation, and questions, but as soon as they park, it all “looks…busy….” All kinds of people are everywhere! They are digging and stomping and splashing and just being loud. And the sand gets everywhere. The once-eager protagonist isn’t sure if a beach day is so great after all. It’s “ouchy and sticky and bumpy and scratchy,” but Dad knows how to give his youngster the tools to refocus so they can enjoy their day out. The text bubbles with onomatopoeia even as it teaches readers ways to cope when in a new space that feels overwhelming. The illustrations—drawn in ink and charcoal and colored with block print—are bright and cheerful, depicting dad and protagonist with light brown skin and straight, black hair. Text is incorporated inventively, at times occupying huge swaths of space to convey the child’s excitement and then agitation. Especially designed for kids with sensory-processing issues, the book has broad applicability beyond that audience.

Everyone can feel affected by a new scenario, and this book will reassure children that they can overcome their anxieties and have a beautiful day at the beach.