Beach Party!

by Harriet Ziefert, Simms Taback

Scooting, slithering, flapping, and twisting!
What kind of walking can you do today?
Can you scoot like a crab?
Bend like a starfish?
Fly like a seagull looking for a fish? A new additional to this successful series of board books, Beach Party! invites readers to join the parade of animals and imitate their sounds as they all head to the beach. This wonderful rhyming text will delight children of all ages. They will surely want to jump to their feet and move! Caldecott-winning artist Simms Taback's rich and vibrant illustrations bring a day at the beach to life. This sturdy board book format is perfect for little hands.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Animals, Fiction

7 pages, Board Book

First published February 17, 2005

About the author

Harriet Ziefert grew up in North Bergen, New Jersey, where she attended the local schools. She graduated from Smith College, then received a Masters degree in Education from New York University.

For many years, Ziefert was an elementary school teacher. She taught most grades from kindergarten to fifth grade. "I liked it," she said, but she stopped teaching when she had her own sons. When her children were older, Ziefert wanted "a bigger arena" for her work. She went to work at a publishing company, Scholastic in New York City, developing materials for teacher's guides for kindergarten language arts and social studies programs.

"About twelve years ago," says Ziefert in a 1995 interview, "I tried to get a job as an editor, but no one would hire me as a trade editor. So I decided to write my own books." Since then, she has written several hundred books, mostly picture books and easy-to-read books. "I write books very quickly," she says, "in about twelve hours. I rewrite them three times over three days, and then they're done." She writes about twenty books a year.

Reviews

[Andréa · Rating 2 out of 5]

The pictures don't really illustrate the types of movements mentioned, which could make it harder for little ones to imitate those movements, as is clearly the intent.

[Kate M. Colby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jack received this book secondhand from family.

He's not quite old enough to follow the directions on different ways to move, but he loved looking at the sea creatures. It's a bit weird, because all the animals seem to be walking across the sand — and some of them should definitely not be out of the water. But then later, it seems like they are all underwater, and maybe in ways that don't make sense. Anyway, I know I'm overthinking it, but I am who I am.

[Danielle Robertson Robertson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This title is a lie, there is no party. This book is about how different creatures move. Which isn't a bad thing, in fact I found the book quite enjoyable and I loved the pictures. But there is no party and I don't even think there's a beach. I'm a California Girl, I was disappointed by the lack of beach. But again, the animals are great and I loved every one of them.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

A larger than the normal board book done by two well know children’s literature people, Harriet Ziefert and Simms Tabeck about the way various ocean creatures move. Slither like an eel, turtle trek, jump like a porpoise a d more. A fun board book.

[Kate Hastings · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jump like a porpoise and slither like an eel-- kids will move just like their animal friends at the beach.

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a cute book about the way animals movie. The boys really enjoyed mimicing the jumping, slithering, sliding, flying animals.

John's favorite part: The aligator heading for a meal

[Joan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute little book with lots of great verbs for acting out.

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good read aloud/movement board book for toddlers. Rhyming text details how the animals walk on the beach.