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Down Under the Pier
There’s lots of fun to be had up on the beach pier, but it’s down underneath where the true—and totally free—magic happens
There’s lots of fun to be had up on the pier—the Ferris wheel, the rollercoaster, Skee-Ball and Whac-A-Mole, cotton candy, copper coins, the carousel. But it’s down under the pier, at low tide, where the real magic can be found. The best part? It’s free.
There’s lots of fun to be had up on the pier—the Ferris wheel, the rollercoaster, Skee-Ball and Whac-A-Mole, cotton candy, copper coins, the carousel. But it’s down under the pier, at low tide, where the real magic can be found. The best part? It’s free.
32 pages, Hardcover
Published April 7, 2020
103 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews
October 20, 2020
If I could just distribute this picture storybook to everyone, I would without thinking twice!
Such an amazing fun-filled summer read 💫
It gave me all the nostalgic vibes.
This book will transport to your childhood days even if you're not living by the seaside.
The illustrations are everything!
It's dreamy, it's crystal clear, it's beautiful!
The words in verse are playful yet meaningful. It made me revisit my childhood days.
It's one of the best picture books I have ever read.
Such an amazing fun-filled summer read 💫
It gave me all the nostalgic vibes.
This book will transport to your childhood days even if you're not living by the seaside.
The illustrations are everything!
It's dreamy, it's crystal clear, it's beautiful!
The words in verse are playful yet meaningful. It made me revisit my childhood days.
It's one of the best picture books I have ever read.
March 17, 2020
Richie’s Picks: DOWN UNDER THE PIER by Nell Cross Beckerman and Rachell Sumpter, ill., Cameron Kids, April 2020, 32p., ISBN: 978-1-944903-86-2
“Rock me on the water
I’ll get down to the sea somehow”
-- Jackson Browne (1971)
“Our pockets empty, quarters spent.
Is the fun all done? Maybe...for some.
They don’t know what we know--
To slip down the stairs when the tide is low,
away from it all,
where almost nobody goes,
Do we dare?
Down under the pier,
It’s dark and cool.
We inhale sea spray
and squish slimy sand through toes.
Goose bumps on sun-kissed skin”
DOWN UNDER THE PIER begins and concludes with some of the most beautiful endpapers I’ve ever seen. At the front of the book, we look out through the pier’s pilings toward a hazy, dawn sky. At the back, we look through the same pilings at a magnificent sunset.
In between, we spend a day with a boisterous quartet of young friends who visit the Santa Monica Pier. They begin their fun amidst the amusements, riding the Ferris wheel, the roller coaster, and the carousel; eating cotton candy; and winning toys. But then, their money spent, they head down under the pier.
Thanks to illustrator Rachell Sumpter’s stunning paint-and-pastel illustrations; the sea plants and sea creatures we encounter in the intertidal zone beneath the pier look almost like jewels spilled from a treasure chest.
“Mussels, barnacles, sea stars,
and anemones festoon a forest of pilings.
We look
and wonder..
Is it alive?
Will it bite?
Will it pinch?
Will it pierce?
Will it do anything at
all if we just gently
poke it?”
The four children frolic and explore beneath the pier and along the beach during the low tide. Chasing seabirds; collecting seashells; fooling around with seaweed; their tale concluding as the sun sets over the Pacific.
Some of my earliest memories involve the seashore. I couldn’t help but smell the seaweed and feel the salt drying on my skin as I watched these engaging young characters goofing around in the sand and muck.
The lyrical story concludes with an illustrated spread explaining “What Can You Find Down Under the Pier?”
In this lovely book about the wonders of the seashore, a wonderful time is had by all.
Richie Partington, MLIS
Richie's Picks http://richiespicks.pbworks.com
https://www.facebook.com/richiespicks/
richiepartington@gmail.com
“Rock me on the water
I’ll get down to the sea somehow”
-- Jackson Browne (1971)
“Our pockets empty, quarters spent.
Is the fun all done? Maybe...for some.
They don’t know what we know--
To slip down the stairs when the tide is low,
away from it all,
where almost nobody goes,
Do we dare?
Down under the pier,
It’s dark and cool.
We inhale sea spray
and squish slimy sand through toes.
Goose bumps on sun-kissed skin”
DOWN UNDER THE PIER begins and concludes with some of the most beautiful endpapers I’ve ever seen. At the front of the book, we look out through the pier’s pilings toward a hazy, dawn sky. At the back, we look through the same pilings at a magnificent sunset.
In between, we spend a day with a boisterous quartet of young friends who visit the Santa Monica Pier. They begin their fun amidst the amusements, riding the Ferris wheel, the roller coaster, and the carousel; eating cotton candy; and winning toys. But then, their money spent, they head down under the pier.
Thanks to illustrator Rachell Sumpter’s stunning paint-and-pastel illustrations; the sea plants and sea creatures we encounter in the intertidal zone beneath the pier look almost like jewels spilled from a treasure chest.
“Mussels, barnacles, sea stars,
and anemones festoon a forest of pilings.
We look
and wonder..
Is it alive?
Will it bite?
Will it pinch?
Will it pierce?
Will it do anything at
all if we just gently
poke it?”
The four children frolic and explore beneath the pier and along the beach during the low tide. Chasing seabirds; collecting seashells; fooling around with seaweed; their tale concluding as the sun sets over the Pacific.
Some of my earliest memories involve the seashore. I couldn’t help but smell the seaweed and feel the salt drying on my skin as I watched these engaging young characters goofing around in the sand and muck.
The lyrical story concludes with an illustrated spread explaining “What Can You Find Down Under the Pier?”
In this lovely book about the wonders of the seashore, a wonderful time is had by all.
Richie Partington, MLIS
Richie's Picks http://richiespicks.pbworks.com
https://www.facebook.com/richiespicks/
richiepartington@gmail.com
March 15, 2020
Get ready to smell the salt water, feel the waves tickle your feet, the breeze on your face and the sand squeezing between your toes. Taste the cotton candy, and hear the shore birds. This book is so beautiful in every way and so evocative - perfect anytime you need an escape to the beach. Epitomizes the glory of children relishing in things that seem simple but really are magic.
March 15, 2020
This gentle story takes us from an automated amusement park up on the pier down to the natural wonders waiting below. During low tide, sea stars, anemones, and barnacles cling to the pier, sparking curiosity and play. These kids have found a secret world where "fun is free." Cross Beckerman's lyrical text and Sumpter's soft illustrations filled with warm colors that blend into each other like sunset, give the book a dreamy feel. Particularly beautiful is a spread showing the kids' feet touching the water under the pier for the first time. A delightful read!
March 14, 2020
It's hard to decide what I love more, the poetic ode to one of my favorite places or the mesmerizing art. Either way, this book transports you right to the water's edge and reveals the glorious fun that can be found there. I was lucky enough to receive an advanced copy of this book and after reading it to my 4 and 6-year-old, there are so many other kiddos that I can't wait to buy this book for. We spent ages pouring over each spread, pointing, chatting, discussing the fascinating facts at the back of the book and daydreaming about being down under the pier. Highly recommend this one!
October 24, 2020
Most people come to the pier to do all the grand and exciting things...ride on the giant roller coaster...soar through the air on the Ferris wheel...devour cotton candy...zip around on the carousel...win prizes at the games...
But the kids know the true joy of the pier is down underneath, when the ride is low, finding creatures and shells and playing games of their own making.
But the kids know the true joy of the pier is down underneath, when the ride is low, finding creatures and shells and playing games of their own making.
March 16, 2020
Lovely, lyrical picture book about the sea creatures found under a pier. Beautiful language to get kids thinking about nature. The illustrations are breathtaking, and I especially love the end pages.
(Review based on a digital ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.)
(Review based on a digital ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.)
October 13, 2022
This picture book has gorgeous illustrations, and I love how the author combined adventures at a fair and ocean exploration into one book without it seeming like two separate stories. This feels magical and nostalgic for adults, and I believe that children will enjoy it as well.
July 30, 2020
Beautiful illustrations
July 27, 2020
Makes me think about things I did when my son was young.
July 6, 2020
See my full review here: https://www.yabookscentral.com/kidsno...
DOWN UNDER THE PIER is a beautifully illustrated poem about the magic that happens, not only above, but also below the pier. With a focus on nature and the exploration that can occur when the tide moves out. The book also features information about the animals that can be found under the pier during low tide.
This book encourages connecting with and exploring nature through the gentle poem and vivid descriptions. Juxtaposed with the fun of the carnival that happens above the pier, both are equally fun though under the pier is free.
What I loved: The text flows poetically and is quite lovely to read aloud. The illustrations are colorful and full of interesting details that make this a delight to look through. With the added information at the end about the animals who live below the pier, this book is also educational and encourages exploration of nature. This may appeal more to older picture book readers at the elementary school age as the poetic nature of the text is not very direct and may be too complex for toddlers/preschoolers, though audibly pleasing.
What left me wanting more: As a small thing, the text is pretty small and hard to read aloud, but this does give more real estate to the beautiful illustrations.
Final verdict: With gorgeous illustrations and poetic text, DOWN UNDER THE PIER is a charming book about, ultimately, nature and the fascinating animals who live there. This will appeal to elementary school aged readers and is a great choice for reading aloud.
Please note that I received a review copy. All opinions are my own.
DOWN UNDER THE PIER is a beautifully illustrated poem about the magic that happens, not only above, but also below the pier. With a focus on nature and the exploration that can occur when the tide moves out. The book also features information about the animals that can be found under the pier during low tide.
This book encourages connecting with and exploring nature through the gentle poem and vivid descriptions. Juxtaposed with the fun of the carnival that happens above the pier, both are equally fun though under the pier is free.
What I loved: The text flows poetically and is quite lovely to read aloud. The illustrations are colorful and full of interesting details that make this a delight to look through. With the added information at the end about the animals who live below the pier, this book is also educational and encourages exploration of nature. This may appeal more to older picture book readers at the elementary school age as the poetic nature of the text is not very direct and may be too complex for toddlers/preschoolers, though audibly pleasing.
What left me wanting more: As a small thing, the text is pretty small and hard to read aloud, but this does give more real estate to the beautiful illustrations.
Final verdict: With gorgeous illustrations and poetic text, DOWN UNDER THE PIER is a charming book about, ultimately, nature and the fascinating animals who live there. This will appeal to elementary school aged readers and is a great choice for reading aloud.
Please note that I received a review copy. All opinions are my own.
April 14, 2020
I loved this beautiful book with mesmerizing illustrations filled with the magic of the hidden jewels of the deep. The poetic imagery evoked by the lyrical prose takes you to the beach and DOWN UNDER THE PIER.
September 28, 2020
DOWN UNDER THE PIER is picture book magic! With a perfect marriage of vivid, lyrical language and dreamy images, it transports the reader to one of those endless summertime, seaside days—above the pier where there’s cotton candy, amusement park rides, and creaking wooden planks. And then under the pier where’s there’s a quieter, more natural, kind of magic—sea spray and creatures clinging to pilings, crabs and tug-of-war with ropes of kelp. The text beautifully captures the enchanting setting and the wonder it evokes in the children playing there. And lines like, “We inhale sea spray and squish slimy sand through toes” are a joy to read aloud and provide strong sensory details. I found the watercolor illustrations breathtakingly beautiful, simply dreamy. This book will be read again and again by kids (and adults) who want to be transported. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! (Also, I really, really want to visit the Santa Monica Pier now!)
June 18, 2020
The story begins with four children at an amusement park that overlooks the ocean. There’s a Ferris wheel, roller coaster, carousel, games, cotton candy, and a day filled with fun. But as the day moves into the evening and money has been spent, there is another adventure to be discovered. At low tide, there is a magical world down under the pier. No money required. It’s a world of sand, sea spray, waves, and a treasure trove of ocean creatures. Mussels, barnacles, sea stars, and anemones cling to the pilings of the pier. In the shallow waters of low tide are tiny crabs, seashells, kelp, and seaweed. Nell Cross Beckerman weaves a lyrical story about a day at an oceanside amusement park and the natural beauty and wonder of the ocean found down under the pier. Readers will delight in Rachell Sumpter’s colorful illustrations particularly those under the pier. This is the perfect summer book to be enjoyed by all!
January 31, 2020
There is so much magic woven in this story as the words and art dance around you like pinwheels blowing bubbles on a summer day. The feeling of being at the pier is so palatable; children will love all of the kid-like fun. But they will love the mystery down below even more. Nell and Rachel invite us into an unknown world of oceanic wonderment that you never want to leave. This is must-have for every kid and parent's library.
-Chelsea
-Chelsea
April 10, 2020
From the moment I saw this book’s endpapers, I knew I wanted to visit its pages and discover the water-and-wood world under the pier. DOWN UNDER THE PIER is a carnival for the senses, filled with the noise and flash of games and rides and then...a secret descent down a staircase, to a watery world under the pier. A world of quiet discoveries, where Nature is the prize and the fun is free. Told from a plural first-person perspective, this story leaves you feeling like one of the gang of kids, exploring the intertidal zone right alongside them. It’s realistic and magical all at once. I’m a fan of Nell Cross Beckerman’s lyrical, sensory language and of Rachell Sumpter’s beady sea-spray on receding waves. DOWN UNDER THE PIER is a journey young readers will want to take again and again.
April 14, 2020
Beneath the pier, it's a much different world than the bright excitement of the carnival up on top. It's quieter and simpler, secluded and special. But it has plenty of its own attractions to share.
In the changing tides, children freely explore the sea life beneath the pier, and delight in the natural wonders of their coastal setting. They prod, dig, chase and collect until the sun begins to set.
This is a beautiful, lyrical and dreamy book, with gorgeous text and illustrations that perfectly evoke the joy and exhilaration that children experience during independent outdoor play.
I also really enjoyed the back matter with informative details about the inter-tidal zone and the flora and fauna that live there.
In the changing tides, children freely explore the sea life beneath the pier, and delight in the natural wonders of their coastal setting. They prod, dig, chase and collect until the sun begins to set.
This is a beautiful, lyrical and dreamy book, with gorgeous text and illustrations that perfectly evoke the joy and exhilaration that children experience during independent outdoor play.
I also really enjoyed the back matter with informative details about the inter-tidal zone and the flora and fauna that live there.
May 18, 2020
The lyrical text of this book is the perfect vehicle for bringing to life the magical world of marine life under the pier. Nell Cross Beckerman captures the natural curiosity of children in words (We look and wonder…Is it alive? Will it bite? Will it pinch?...) while the rich tones of the illustrations make their actions and discoveries irresistible. The back matter offers just the right amount of information to satisfy a curious mind while offering suggestions for engaging with the intertidal community. Children as well as adults will enjoy taking this journey of exploration under the pier many times. The author also offers an important lesson in environmentalism for future generations by generously donating part of the proceeds from the book to Heal the Bay Aquarium in Santa Monica.
April 4, 2020
What a lovely book! It brought back memories of the endless, long summer days of childhood, filled with play by the seashore. It will make an amazing gift for children; the summer fun does not need to end! The story begins over the pier with the excitement and fun of amusement park rides, cotton candy, and toy machines. Then, we are transported to that quiet place, under the pier, where true wonders take place. The best things in life are free! I would also like to note here the amazing illustrations. I got the WOW feeling many times but my absolutely favorite spread was the last one. Pure magic. Thank you for creating this book.
April 7, 2020
DOWN UNDER THE PIER is a feast for the senses. Nell Cross Beckerman's lyrical language and Rachell Sumpter's gorgeous illustrations transport you: first to the traditional fun up on the pier and then to the unexpected magic down under it. We can frolic and play in this fantasy land, but it is worthy of our attention and begs a closer look; we learn more about the wondrous creatures who live in the intertidal zone. Kids will be ready to rush through their quarters to ensure they have time to explore down below. This satisfying read leaves you with all the feels and a desire to care for these delicate and special places.
February 1, 2020
This gorgeous book inspires me to grab my youngest family members and take them down under the pier! Wow, what a gift to remember that fascinating hidden world. Thank you, Nell and Rachel! Just looking at this book makes me happy.
March 23, 2020
What a beautiful book.
Up on the pier, people are busy with the carnival that spins and clanks and hustles. But down under the pier is where the true treasures can be found.
The images are whimsical and fit the beautiful poetry of the text just perfectly. Just like the colors in the pictures run together, the words run together to create a world that is so recognizable and takes you back to cozy days on the beach. I enjoyed reading about the animals that are found in the intertidal zone, that kids can look for the next time they're on the beach.
For all beach lovers everywhere.
Up on the pier, people are busy with the carnival that spins and clanks and hustles. But down under the pier is where the true treasures can be found.
The images are whimsical and fit the beautiful poetry of the text just perfectly. Just like the colors in the pictures run together, the words run together to create a world that is so recognizable and takes you back to cozy days on the beach. I enjoyed reading about the animals that are found in the intertidal zone, that kids can look for the next time they're on the beach.
For all beach lovers everywhere.
May 7, 2020
The pier is a magical place from the very first page of this exquisitely illustrated picture book. But even more magical is what is below the pier. The author describes the wonder and mystery of the secret places below the carousel, games, and bustling life on the pier. She does this with such a sense of wonder, slowing the pace just enough to make the reader feel like she is right there, sticking her toes in the sand, feeling the rough barnacles for the first time. I recommend this book for anyone who wants to start looking at the favorite places from a new perspective.
May 9, 2020
This is a lovely book about exploration that starts with kids enjoying the typical enjoyments at a seaside pier, including the carrousel where they all want to ride “the lone goat.” When the kids slip under the pier, the magic begins and the kids are free to play and discover the world and creatures that live below. The lovely prose in this book is matched by the beautiful illustrations, and both made me want to find a pier and head underneath. This is a book that begs to be read again and again.
March 23, 2020
Enjoy a beach day anytime! Down Under The Pier immerses the reader in all of the wonderful sights, sounds, flavors, and thrills of being at the boardwalk. There’s not a child on Earth who wants the fun to end but with this story it doesn’t need to. Beckerman’s lyrical words and Sumpter’s dream-like illustrations take us under the pier where the fun is just beginning and a whole new world is waiting to be explored.
April 8, 2020
I grew up in a seaside town and have always loved piers. And I still do! Up on the pier is busy, loud, and full of fun. But under the pier is a secret world that has no lines, and no crowds.
The illustrations in this beautiful lyrical book are stunning, especially the under the pier paintings. It takes me right back to my childhood by the sea. The backmatter explores more about the creatures that live under the pier inspiring kids to learn more next time they’re at the beach.
The illustrations in this beautiful lyrical book are stunning, especially the under the pier paintings. It takes me right back to my childhood by the sea. The backmatter explores more about the creatures that live under the pier inspiring kids to learn more next time they’re at the beach.
July 4, 2022
I like the soft textures and pastel colors of the illustrations. They warmly evoke the sunset, the sea, the sky, the sun sparkling on swells and toying with ripples. The story brings the reader equally into the animated noisy world of the busy pier, and the sublime details of discovery underneath it. Even the colors come alive under the pier, as vibrant as a child’s curiosity. This book nailed my childhood memories of visiting the ocean.
June 2, 2020
A gorgeous, evocative book that I'm sure is very nostalgic for those that live on an oceanfront. A group of kids explores beneath a pier, playing games and observing the sea life and creating memories. I love that the grimy under-pier setting is illustrated with such imagination-stirring colors (full of wonder, as a kid would see it!) rather than gross and grimy green that it looks in real life. This managed to capture so many details (handfuls of little crabs! Tug of war with seaweed!).
March 18, 2020
Nell Cross Beckerman’s lyrical story transports the reader to a seaside pier where all the reader’s senses will be stimulated. The gentle, yet vivid language brings the setting alive and children will delight in the images this picture book touches upon. Rachell Sumpter’s illustrations are beautiful and match Beckerman’s words. A perfect pairing and must read.
March 19, 2020
This book is a lovely reminder that the best things in life are often free. It takes readers away from the noise and the crowds and the spending up on the pier, to the magic under the pier. Under the pier there is a whole new world to explore - crashing waves, critters clinging to the pilings, ropes of kelp, seashells, and so much more. Lots of fun to be had down under the pier!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews