On the Way to the Beach

Henry Cole encourages youngsters to take a closer look at their surroundings in his paper-over-board On the Way to the Beach. Gatefold flaps on spreads of marsh, dune and beach environments open to reveal animal life that seem to be hidden in the everyday natural world. As the unseen narrator sits "very still in the sassafras beneath a loblolly pine," for instance, she sees "a swallowtail butterfly, / a summer tanager, / a scarlet snake" and more. A final page labels each creature clearly. Copyright 2003 Publishers Weekly Used with permission.

PreS-Gr 3-An open door and a path leading through the trees invite readers to join a young narrator on a nature walk and to observe the plants and wildlife that thrive in several different habitats. Each locale-the woods, a salt marsh, dunes, and the beach-is gloriously depicted in a three-page foldout that is entered through a die-cut. The scenes are filled with foliage and animals native to the particular environment and each one has a list of things to look for; some may be familiar to youngsters ("tracks in mud" or "a mosquito") and some may not ("salt marsh fleabane" or "a diamondback terrapin"). Phrases such as "an osprey with dinner" or "a clapper rail at its nest" give hints about which creature is which. A helpful key at the end assists with the identification of any flora or fauna that are missed. The outstanding realistic acrylic illustrations depict the scenes in an almost three-dimensional perspective, allowing children to feel as though they are entering the pictures. Double-page bridge illustrations show the gradual changes as the focus moves from one habitat to the next. Offering a wonderful opportunity for one-on-one sharing, this beautiful, interactive book encourages discussion, develops observation skills, and provides a learning experience that will bring children closer to nature.-Marlene Gawron, formerly at Orange County Library, Orlando, FL Copyright 2003 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.