Review by Booklist Review
PreS-Gr. 2. Beachcombing0 offers a vicarious tour of the treasures found on a typical tropical beach. Arnosky directs his text straight to young people, offering advice on how to get started (sun protection) and how to identify the animals and plants they might see. On spreads that shimmer with aquamarine blues and shell pinks, he paints a variety of seashore animals, often in silhouette to emphasize shape differences between species. The text is casual and unscientific, but in a few places, it's so simple that it's confusing; one spread explains that palm trees grow from coconuts but doesn't mention that a coconut is a seed. The pictures are enticing, though, and Arnosky's enthusiastic, eco-conscious guide will delight young children. --Gillian Engberg Copyright 2004 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Naturalist Jim Arnosky offers tips for Beachcombing: Exploring the Seashore, with which young explorers can identify different shells, crabs, jellyfish and other seaside treasures, all warmly illustrated (some life-size) by the author. With an ever-present eye toward respecting and studying nature, Arnosky explains how palm trees form and the fossilization of shark teeth, among other topics related to the ebb and flow of life on the shore. (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
K-Gr 3-Arnosky, inspired by visits to 26 beaches along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts, invites readers to take long walks along the beach and highlights some of the interesting things that they might discover there. The cover and many of the interior spreads are designed to look like a hand-sewn journal. Protected by a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and sunblock and carrying a pail, a cartoon version of the author looks for crabs, coral, shark teeth, and other items. From the more commonplace (seashells) to the rare and captivating Sea Beans (the seeds of trees that grow along the Amazon), a variety of treasures are identified and described in the conversational text and pastel artwork. Youngsters are encouraged to examine gently and release any living creatures. Warnings against touching jellyfish are included; unfortunately, the spread about these animals is disappointingly vague and only the Portuguese Man-of-War is identified. Still, young beachcombers will discover old and new ideas about collecting or just identifying their finds, and the book will appeal to those children who are looking for relaxing fun.-Nancy Call, Santa Cruz Public Libraries, Aptos, CA (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
Labeled drawings depict shells, creatures, and plants, with text explaining more about them, to be found on beach walks by the dedicated collector. The art suggests a notebook with pages laced together and carried along for identifications. A list of books with further information is appended. (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
"Walk the length of a beach one way. Then turn and walk back, looking down at the very same spots. The view from the opposite direction always reveals something that you missed before." This genial introduction to beachcombing, the fruit of "research" along more than two dozen Atlantic and Gulf Coast beaches, focuses on the small, common treasures to be found or seen, from sand dollars to mermaid's purses, drifting coconuts to fossilized shark teeth. Wear a hat and sunblock, Arnosky advises, carry a bucket, don't touch stranded jellyfish, and leave living creatures as you find them--all savvy tips for a safe, satisfying outing, even for younger children. For older ones, the author's clear, simple illustrations will help to identify 12 kinds of crabs, 26 kinds of shells, seven birds, and a variety of miscellaneous wrack. An enticing read before any trip beachward, from a veteran naturalist. (author's note, bibliography) (Picture book/nonfiction. 7-9) Copyright ©Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
