To the Beach

by Linda Ashman, Nadine Bernard Westcott (Illustrator)

It's a perfect day for swimming, building sand castles, and flying kites. But will this wacky family of seven ever make it to the beach? First they need to go back for Fido. Then there's the cooler full of soda. And what about Baby's beloved ducky pail? Even with all the things everyone has forgotten to bring, the unpredictable weather, and the stop-and-go traffic, this family's beach trip is sure to be the best yet. That is, if they (and all their stuff) can get there! (20050601)

Genres: Picture Books, Storytime, Summer, Family, Childrens, Humor, Travel

32 pages, Hardcover

First published May 1, 2005

About the author

Linda Ashman is the author of more than 40 picture books and The Nuts and Bolts Guide to Writing Picture Books . Her books have been included on the "best of the year" lists of the New York Times, IRA/CBC Children's Choices, the New York Public Library and others, and have been translated into many languages. Linda lives with her family in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

Reviews

[BiblioBeruthiel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I hate the premise of this to an irrational degree.

[Patricia N. McLaughlin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nuclear family endures the cycle of samsara, journeying not to the beach but through the Ten Worlds, suffering from their attachments to stuff as they repeatedly revisit their original intention to reach the final destination: Nirvana in their own backyard.

[Taya · Rating 4 out of 5]

The illustrations in this story were the best by far that I have seen of any of my other books. They reminded me of a Where's Waldo book where there are so many things to look at on every page that it would take multiple times of reading to feel satisfied that one had seen it all. The tale was extremely relatable, especially for children who would look at such situations with humor anyway. The colors on every page were vibrant and matched the faced-paced tone of the rest of the dialoge. I think this would be a great story for entire families to enjoy together and relate it to their own family vacation moments.

[Nikki · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a cute story about a family that spends more time going back to the house than they do getting to the beach, and when they finally get there it rains and they have to go home. When they finally get home the sun comes out and they end up enjoying their own backyard. Lends the idea that there is no need to go somewhere to have a good time.

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you've ever had kids, you can relate to this story quite well! The family is hoping to go to the beach, but they seem to have forgotten to pack everything they need and have to go back to their house numerous times to get them. By then, the weather has changed, forcing the family to make other changes.

[Diane · Rating 3 out of 5]

A family is excited to go to the beach, but every time they head for the beach they have to turn around for something they have forgotten. By the time they get near the beach, it starts to storm so they go home again. Just in time for the sun to come out. So, they enjoy their beach day in their own backyard.

[Kristi Bassett · Rating 5 out of 5]

In my humble opinion Linda Ashman writes THE BEST books for toddlers. They have a great rhyme scheme, great stories, awesome illustrations (most of them at least). We love all of her books, they are our favorites!

[Amanda Andrews · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book because it reminds me of family trips. Someone is always forgetting something. This large family keeps going back because they each remember at different times they forgot something. In the end they end up not even going to the beach because it starts to rain!

[Aleece · Rating 5 out of 5]

On their way to the beach they realize that they forgot their dog. Then each time they set off for the beach again another member of the family realizes that they forgot something too. This is a really funny story about going back and forth to the house trying to make to the beach.

[Michelle M · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a mother of two toddlers, I can really relate to this book. Packing for a day trip is difficult. Luckily, Ashman's rhymes and and Westcott's illustrations make it something to grin about. Plus, in the end, the mom gets a nap!
Ages: preschool and up

[Erin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Stories where the buildup becomes more and more absurd tend to annoy me unless they are genuinely hilarious. This one had a satisfying "HA!" ending, but the road to it was frustrating. I get it was supposed to be, I just didn't care to be along for that circuitous ride to the beach.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an amusing book about forgetful and disorganized family trying to make it to the beach with all of the equipment for all of their activities. They almost make it, but then the weather intervenes. Seems like they make the best of it in their own yard.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Funny story about how crazy life can be getting ready to go on a trip!

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is just silly and cute. It makes me laugh because sometimes I feel like I am always forgetting things. The illustrations are quite hilarious too!

[Aspasia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes the beach is closer to home than you think...

[Janae · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute book, but isn't a good one if you want to inform your tike about the beach (because they never get there).

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perfect for starting off a beach themed ST. Cute art, nice rhyme.

[Jennifer Barstad · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a cute book. My daughter thought it was funny how they kept going back for more stuff.

[Joan Arbogast · Rating 5 out of 5]

Forgetful family returns numerous time to retrieve needed items for the beach, only to be grounded due to a storm, which finally clears and they spend their day at the beach in their yard.

[Wendi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute rhyming story. Great illustrations! Fun read-a-loud.

[Leslie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Will they EVER get to the beach? Fun story, silly illustrations by one of our favorites! Will share this in a Summer Storytime for sure.

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This family gave me vacation packing anxiety

[Connie T. · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a perfect day to go to the beach, but wait! They've left something behind. This forgetful family turns around at least seven times to retrieve something they've forgotten. Once they have everything, a storm sets in and they turn around again. Traffic delays their journey home but once there, they unpack the car and dash inside - only to have the sun come out. They make the best of it by having their "beach day"in the yard.

Published nearly twenty years ago, the artwork is a bit dated but the story is still fun.

[Jessica · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm not sure who is in charge of coding which books get put in the "humor" section at my library, but this wasn't humorous. A family keeps having to turn back for things they forgot at home, and then there's a thunderstorm, so they have to go home anyway. The pictures were okay, but I didn't like the story and I didn't think it was funny.

[Kelsey · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was frustratingly relatable, but it still didn’t feel like anything too unique or special.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my favorite books for a summer storytime. The humor is spot on. This used to be my family when the kids were younger.

[Mari]

relatable. fun rhyming.

they dont end up on beach but they wear swimsuits on lawn instead.

[Sarah]

Stories & Songs: Beach

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

funny book for those of us who can appreciate the joys of traveling with small children

[Tara L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite picture book author. Love this repetitious rhyming story. Cute ha! ending.