Beach

by Elisha Cooper

Award-winning author Elisha Cooper uses his renowned soft yet lively watercolors to celebrate the cherished act of visiting the beach.

"Away to the beach! Away to sand and salt water, to rolling dunes and pounding waves."

A day at the beach supplies any child with a lifetime of memories. In this new picture book by award-winning author Elisha Cooper, the simple magic of building sand castles, collecting seashells, and running from the waves is brought to life through poetic text and lively illustrations. Together, readers will be able to visit the beach year-round as they share this delightful book.

Genres: Picture Books, Summer, Childrens, Fiction, Juvenile, Nature, Travel

32 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2006

Reviews

[Hilary · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the detailed pictures showing the process of going to the beach, exploring and coming home again. I couldn't see the small details very well on my tablet and perhaps this would have been more enjoyable reading paper copy. I found it distracting the way the sea was painted, the sea generally reflects the light from the sky and is a similar tone, I found it odd that the sky was light blue and sea an inky dark blue that looked almost black in places.

Read on open library.

[Lisa Vegan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The fascinating part of the story for me was told via the paintings. I spent endless days at the beach when I was young and this author does a reasonably good job of capturing the waves, clouds, people’s activities, shells, and various other items found at the beach, and I loved the colors used. There was actually quite a bit here I didn’t enjoy all that much but the clouds & waves sections won me over. This wouldn’t make a very good read aloud book but I can imagine children poring over these paintings and especially enjoying all the many mini scenes.

[Abigail · Rating 4 out of 5]

Picture-book author/artist Elisha Cooper explores a day at the beach in this engaging title, opening at dawn when the strand is almost deserted, depicting the myriad of activities and events that occur as people begin to arrive, and closing at dusk, as once again the sand begins to empty. In between, wordless two-page spreads are intermingled with spreads in which a series of miniature illustrations are paired with a description of what is going on. People swim, sunbathe and play in the sand, enjoying the beauty of this border region between land and sea...

Having enjoyed every other Elisha Cooper title I have picked up - favorites would have to include the wonderfully droll Magic Thinks Big , as well as the immensely poignant Big Cat, Little Cat - I wasn't surprised to find that Beach had immense appeal for me. Cooper captures the sense of magic and fun of a day at the shore, not just for individuals but for the entire ecosystem. The artwork, done in watercolor and pencil, is just lovely, and the text evocative. When the author writes: "The perfect wave lifts high and drops low and can be felt in the stomach," I was transported to my own youth, and the magical days I spent at the beach with my own family, jumping through waves again and again, until exhausted. Recommended to all young beach lovers, and to anyone looking for picture-books about what humans get up to at the shore.

[Aneesa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reminiscent of Sara Midda's South of France sketchbook. Even the endsheets match that book's cover!

[Shelli · Rating 1 out of 5]

The only reason any parent would intentionally read this book of observations at the beach is in the hopes of putting their children to sleep. I know it nearly put me to sleep. Boring with a capital B... hey just like Beach!

[Sally · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was introduced to Cooper with his picture books with limited text. So "Beach" and "River" were a bit surprising.

The illustrations are rich!
"Beach" is kind of a time-lapse capture of a busy beach, opening and closing with a quiet scene.
Cooper captures almost any activity people do at the beach.
The wordless spreads are my favorite.

"Farm" and "Train" aren't really topics of interest, but I'm going to check out, because I expect they too will have a 'wonder.'

[Scott Calton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was drawn to this book because my family enjoys vacationing to the beach. I thought this book was perfectly written along with pictures. While reading the story I pictured myself on vacation so it was very nice. Being able to relate to the story and imagine being at the beach was very enjoyable. My son also enjoyed it, he kept telling beach stories from our past vacation.

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is not a fast read and we treat it more of a "Living Reference Book" walking through the many different things that happen at a beach in exhaustive picture list format. Perfect for kids that are going through any of the many "why?" phases of growing up.

[Smita · Rating 4 out of 5]

Poetic and serene. The pictures are fun to see as well.

[Kris · Rating 4 out of 5]

This books captures the essence of a day at the beach! Great illustrations!

[Jack & Lily Wills · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations!

[Tina Hoggatt · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love a list and this author's work but perhaps too much? I'd love to read with a small child who no doubt would enjoy picking out all of the activities and individuals.

[Patrick · Rating 2 out of 5]

I cannot emphasize enough how much I dislike this author’s illustrations and how much I think they ruin his excellent story ideas.

[Stephanie Sears · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cute book Dante brought home from the library today. We liked talking about all the things you can do at the beach and the animals you may find.

[Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the progression of the illustrations.

[Kristiana · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book was fine, but the watercolors were lovely!

[Patrica · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a story about what a regular day at the beach is normally like. It talks about some of the activities that take place such as, children building sand castles, couples playing in the water, people jet skiing, the different types of waves and so much more. The story ends, with it being late in the evening, everyone is getting ready to leave and acknowledgement of a day well spent.

Response:I really liked how descriptive and Persis the author was about what a regular day at the beach is like. It helps the reader to better visualize and relate to the story. I really liked all the colors in the pictures because they reminded me of paintings but did not like how the people looked. I don't think the illustrations will keep a young readers attention and interest.
Concept:This story reminded me of all the great times I've spent at the beach. It also made me anxious for the summer to arrive so I can take my son for the first time and make lots of memorizes. The beach is a beautiful and fun place to be and I think the author did a great job helping the reader to see that.

Classroom Connection:I think this story would make a great classroom connection because you can explain how fun the beach is and teach your students the importance of making memorizes with friends and loved ones. This would also make a great writing activity by having your students write about a day they spent at the beach over the summer, what they did while they were there and what memorizes were made.

CCSS Range:I could not find the lexile on this book but think it would make a great read-a-loud for PreK-1. I believe by the end of first grade, students should be able to read this book independently. The word complexity and vocabulary should be easy enough for them.

[Sarah Hannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Personal Reaction - This book was unique in its layout. I liked the book though, and the way some pages were split into about 15 different activities going on with separate illustrations. I enjoy going to the beach and I could relate to the activities mentioned, as they are all typical activities you encounter at the beach.

Purposes: First grade read-aloud
-Enrichment/Enjoyment
-Perhaps just coming back to school from the summer this could be used to correlate with summer vacations and the teacher can ask what some students did for the summer or if any of them got to spend time at a beach.
-Shape is very important in this book. Each illustration is laid out in a sequential order as if to tell a story and demonstrate how each beach activity happens. For example: the author discusses the shapes of clouds and draws them all differently to correspond to how the clouds are supposed to look such as like Hawaii.
-This book could be used to introduce a weather unit.
-This book sets a clear setting of the beach with no specific characters.

[Candice · Rating 3 out of 5]

A great concept, and a well-told story, but I didn't like many of the illustrations. The human figures were more like blobs. How can you not like a book that begins, "Away to the beach! Away to sand and salt water, to rolling dunes and pounding waves. Away to swimsuits and sunscreen, to lying on towels and listening to the sound of the ocean." The first page shows the beach empty of people. The next page is series of pictures - few people, more people, crowded. The following page show people doing traditional beach activities - changing into a swimsuit under a towel, putting on sunscreen, covering a friend up to his neck in sand. Then toward the end of the day, the activities are reversed and the beach empties. An older child who enjoys his/her time at the beach would probably enjoy this.

[Janet · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ah, the beach one of my favorite places and Cooper's illustrations depict all types of activities at the beach, as well as various boats, and types of clouds see in the sky. His content in the illustrations remind me somewhat of all the detail that Peter Spier did in some of his books. One thought I have on this title is while it says it is at the beach and the water is salt; my instinct says the illustrations look more like those that would occur at a Great Lakes beach. Cooper does live in Chicage and the color of blue and the activities seem like those I saw in Chicago this summer. Just wondering.

[Joanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully illustrated and written picture book about what happens on a beach throughout the day. It completely evokes the beach's sights and sounds, making it a great end-of-summer tribute.

"Away to the beach! Away to sand and salt water, to rolling dunes and pounding waves. Away to swimsuits and sunscreen, to lying on towels and listening to the sound of the ocean. As the day begins, the beach is empty, waiting to be filled."

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book could be read at the very beginning of the school year or near the end because it goes through what people can see, hear, or smell while being at the beach. It goes into a lot of detail about the different activities that can take place at the beach. You could use this book to have students come up with other things they can do at the beach or they can tell about stories if any of them ever went to any type of beach.

[Lynn Davidson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun illustrations and lyrical descriptions depict a day at the beach enjoyed by many. The beach starts out empty and quiet, then gradually it is covered with people. They all enjoy the summer day in their own way in the sand, in the water and remembering their sunscreen. (very important!) The story is picturesque with the telling of the life and motion of the ocean, the wildlife there, and the lighthouse that stands guard. Eventually everyone goes home.
Lots to see in this story.

[Sandy Brehl · Rating 4 out of 5]

The beach is explored in rich imagery, detailed observation, lively interactions, rich language, and with a charmingly universal quality. Readers of any age, background, or ethnicity can find themselves in the images, which are indistinct and yet specific at the same time. A winning Cooper characteristic. (See TRAIN)

[Karla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfectly evokes a day on the beach. I can imagine the author/illustrator sitting with a sketchbook at the beach all day drawing everything she sees and jotting down notes. It's like a poem that brought me right back to last summer by Lake Michigan. Lovely!

[Tricia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Viv really enjoyed this title which shows activity on a beach from morning until evening. Pictures are highlighted by brief descriptive text. Book, rather than telling a story, transports the reader to the beach...one can almost smell the sea air.

[Jackie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh! The many, many things you can do at the beach...building sandcastls, swimming, sunbathing, picnics, and kayaking. One day in the life of the seashore community building memories that last a lifetime.

[Kelsey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Age: K - 2

Spend some time with this book's miniature, watercolor scenes along the beach. Although hard to see the detail at first (good for older kids with a sharper eye), a slowly read book proves rewarding.

[Deatrice · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very pretty watercolor illustrations, and there are a lot of them. The author put in time at the beach in order to write this book for sure! This book will make you want to pull out your beach gear and get out there for sure.