Judgy bunny and the terrible beach

A day at the beach is no day at the beach for the long-eared protagonist of this social-emotional seaside tale. Rothman (Kittybunkport) comically channels the voice of someone who can't see a specific situation's sunny side, while digital cartooning by Hunter (What If, Pig?) depicts a landscape full of cheerful beachgoers. Decked out in red glasses and a striped bathing suit, the bunny sniffs at an elaborate sand castle: "Anyone can make that." About a butterfly kite with streamers, "By far the worst kite I have ever seen in my whole, entire life." But as other rabbits savor their ice cream twists, the protagonist seems to feel conspicuously left out. After another bunny inadvertently hits the character with a beach ball, it offers an apology and an invitation. And a subsequent accident leads not to exile, but to unexpected offerings of sympathy and ice cream. Gradually, then all at once, the figure embraces both the group and the beach vibe, boogie board and all. Offering a running critique is one way to handle disappointment or overwhelm, suggest the creators, but no bunny is an island. Ages 4--8. Author's agent: Andrea Morrison, Writers House. Illustrator's agent: Lindsay Auld, Writers House. (Mar.)

There's nothing pleasing about the beach…or is there? A white bunny with red spectacles and a striped swimsuit sits on a towel, arms defiantly crossed. "Too hot." A smiling sun radiates heat as other frolicking rabbits toss a beach ball and go parasailing, but our bunny protagonist is unyielding. "Bad." Nothing about the seashore charms our hero. The sea creatures are gross ("Yuck"); the sand castles aren't impressive: "Anyone can make that." The rabbit looks on resentfully as the others share ice cream cones, and readers may catch on; perhaps the rabbit is just lonely. When a beach ball hits the bunny on the head, prompting a comically exasperated response ("Why must you be so ROUND?!?"), a brown rabbit retrieves the ball and apologizes. The newcomer invites the judgmental bunny to play. At first, everything is awful, just as our protagonist imagined, but then a different perspective brings it all into a new light. Hunter's squat bunnies clad in beach attire and Rothman's spare, grumpily humorous prose will elicit guffaws. The bespectacled hero cycles through a variety of emotions behind those big red frames, happily landing on acceptance and joy--except where beach balls are concerned. A lighthearted reminder to challenge assumptions and be open to new experiences.(Picture book. 3-6) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.