On the Way to the Beach

by Henry Cole, Henry Cole (Illustrator)

Overview

Find a place to sit and watch and listen ... on the beach or in the woods or in a salt marsh. What can you see and hear?

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780688175153
Publisher:	HarperCollins
Publication date:	03/18/2003
Pages:	32
Sales rank:	906,322
Product dimensions:	9.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.25(d)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Henry Cole was a celebrated science teacher for many years before turning his talents to children’s books. He has worked on nearly one hundred and fifty books for children, including Unspoken, Big Bug, A Nest for Celeste, Jack’s Garden, and On Meadowview Street. Henry loves being outside, where he can sketch and write. His favorite sound is the first robin song of the spring. You can visit him online at www.henrycole.net.

Henry Cole was a celebrated science teacher for many years before turning his talents to children’s books. He has worked on nearly one hundred and fifty books for children, including Unspoken, Big Bug, A Nest for Celeste, Jack’s Garden, and On Meadowview Street. Henry loves being outside, where he can sketch and write. His favorite sound is the first robin song of the spring. You can visit him online at www.henrycole.net.

Editorial Reviews

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 Reed Business Information.

Publishers Weekly

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 Reed Business Information.

School Library Journal

The mid-Atlantic coast with its myriad plants and animals comes to life in this marvelous search-and-find book. A walk to the beach on a summer morning leads the narrator through the woods, into a salt marsh, over the sand dunes, and onto the beach. In each spot, the narrator sits very still, and looks around to see "who's watching me." Native flora and fauna are the focus: Virginia creeper, loblolly pine, a nuthatch, a mosquito, sea oats, a red fox, an osprey, and a flock of pelicans. Every other page folds out, and features a list of plants and animals found in each of the four habitats. Cole's (Rosie's Roses, p. 382, etc.) marvelously detailed and accurate illustrations give readers a peek into the natural world. Children and adults alike will love the challenge of matching the names on the list with the correct illustrations. The concluding message encourages young readers to experience the excitement of seeing the animals in the area where they live by finding "a place to sit and watch and listen," something that is sometimes difficult for squirmy, noisy children to do. Perfect for introducing youngsters to the world around them, and especially appropriate for anyone who visits or lives near the seashore. (answer key) (Picture book. 4-12)

Kirkus Reviews