Happy Perfect Picture Book Friday, dear friends. The temperatures in New England are pretty chilly and the ground is covered with snow. What better time to celebrate a brand-new book about sun and sand and ocean waves tickling our toes! I grew up in New York City and spent many summer days on the beach at Coney Island. But beaches all over the world fall victim to thoughtless visitors who head home leaving cans, bottles, plastic bags, and many other types of garbage. Sadly, not only does it look disgusting, but that litter poses life-threatening health hazards for the creatures who inhabit the ocean, as well as those who live in the sand. Today’s wonderful book by debut picture book author Charlotte Offsay turns the spotlight on that problem and offers a solution! PLUS, she and her publisher are offering a copy of THE BIG BEACH CLEANUP as a giveaway. Make sure you leave a comment below.

THE BIG BEACH CLEANUP

Written by Charlotte Offsay

Illustrated by Katie Rewse

Published by Albert Whitman

Ages: 4-7

Themes: Pollution, community building, conservation

Synopsis: From Amazon:

Cora is excited to enter the local sandcastle-building contest―until the contest is canceled due to litter at the beach. Determined to help save their favorite place, Cora and Mama get to work picking up the single-use plastics that have washed onto the shore. It will take more than four hands to clean up the beach, but Cora is just getting started.

Why I love this book:

1. I love books that get kids thinking about how they can make a difference.
2. Wonderfully vibrant illustrations.
3. Pacing and action will keep young readers and listeners engaged – and excited for a chance to build a sandcastle and clean up a beach!

RELATED ACTIVITIES

Paper Plate Jelly Fish

I love using paper plates as a craft material…inexpensive and usually on hand. All you need: a paper plate, crayons (paints optional), crepe paper (you could use ribbons or strips of tissue paper), scissors, glue.

For detailed instructions: https://myboredtoddler.com/jellyfish-toddler-craft-activity/

Another great activity would be to visit a local beach (or lake). Bring garbage bags and pick up litter (wear plastic gloves and make sure to monitor what your child is picking up…there might be sharp objects or items you’d rather not have your child touching). Then, relax…observe the wildlife in the water, on the sand, and in the air. Take photos and/or your child can draw what she/he sees. And make sure you build a sandcastle!

This will be a wonderful book to help introduce young children to the importance of taking care of our environment. Please check out the book, review it, tell friends about it, and ask your library to purchase copies for their collection. And don’t forget to leave a comment to be entered in the giveaway from author Charlotte Offsay and her publisher. Did you ever participate in a beach cleanup? Or a sandcastle competition?

For more wonderful picture book reviews and activities, hop on over to Susanna Hill’s Perfect Picture Book Friday.

And please come back on Sunday for a belated Book Birthday post for PIGS DANCING JIGS, an adorable ABC book in rhyme by author Maxine Rose Schur…and then on Monday for a BOOK BIRTHDAY celebration and giveaway for Julie Abery’s two newest Little Animal Friends series board books, LITTLE PENGUIN and LITTLE ZEBRA. And then…and then…

Along comes #50PreciousWords on Tuesday, March 2. I hope I’ll see you all pop in during the week to post your entries and to comment on everyone’s beautiful stories!