Enchanted Beach

by Esther Freud, Emma Chinnery (illustrator)

In her first picture book, a renowned novelist weaves a gentle environmental message into a lyrical ode to family life at the seaside through the changing seasons.

It’s stormy and the beach is whipped.
Ridged and raked, the dune’s a cliff.
Swept and battered, littered, cluttered.
Calm descends; we’re left with gifts.

Camping on the beach in summer, flying kites in autumn, combing storm-whipped sands in winter, treasure hunts in spring—here is a magnificent tribute to life by the ocean throughout the year. In a joyful story charting a family’s adventures and celebrations—from New Year’s to birthdays—Esther Freud’s poetic text melds with Emma Chinnery’s sprightly, atmospheric illustrations to captivate little ocean lovers and budding conservationists.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens

32 pages, Hardcover

Published June 3, 2025

About the author

Esther Freud was born in London in 1963. As a young child she travelled through Morocco with her mother and sister, returning to England aged six where she attended a Rudolf Steiner school in Sussex.

In 1979 she moved to London to study Drama, going on to work as an actress, both in theatre and television, and forming her own company with fellow actress/writer Kitty Aldridge - The Norfolk Broads.

Her first novel Hideous Kinky, was published in 1992 and was shortlisted for the John Llewellyn Rhys Prize and made into a film starring Kate Winslet. In 1993, after the publication of her second novel, Peerless Flats, she was named by Granta as one of the Best of Young Novelists under 40.

She has since written seven novels, including The Sea House, Love Falls and Lucky Break. She also writes stories, articles and travel pieces for newspapers and magazines, and teaches creative writing, in her own local group and at the Faber Academy.

Her most recent book, Mr Mac and Me, was published in September 2014. She lives in London with her husband, the actor David Morrissey, and their three children.

Reviews

[Lorie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A boy shares his memories of his favorite beach throughout the year and all seasons. We see him play with family and friends in the summer and even participate in a polar plunge in winter. In the end we see him grow visibly, but we find out that the beach is eroding and the measures they have to take to preserve and protect his special place.

With beautiful mixed media illustrations, this story is a captivating look at nature and how we interact with it in our lives. The message about protecting our special places is well done and its placement after the joyful adventures are shown makes it even more profound. I would recommend this for ages 4-8 and for any age to introduce the topic of beach erosion or ecosystem.

This book was originally published in the UK and brought to the North American market by Candlewick.

I would recommend this book for purchase for public and elementary school libraries.

This book was provided by the publisher for professional review by SWON Libraries.

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

A child reminisces about family visits to the beach through the seasons over the years into adolescence, fondly recalling memories and noting unwelcome changes in the environment. The rhyming text is so raggedy that it might as well be prose, which would be easier to read aloud. Atmospheric illustrations evoke the many moods of the ocean and the enjoyment of seashore activities, even the “enchanting” storm surge swims and polar bear plunges.

[Janet · Rating 3 out of 5]

A family’s joy at the beach in all four seasons gives a broad look at beach activities. Illustrations done in mixed media are lovely. Text is in a poetic form that really does not flow easily. Author and illustrator are both from England and their bibliographies show more adult works and few children’s titles.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is such a lovely book which portrays the beauty of the beach in all seasons and weathers.

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