It is packed full of information from what to pack for your beach trip, what kinds of things you’ll see in and out of the water, and interesting facts too. The books coming out from Grée’s work are a mixture of board book and long picture book, and are mostly informational, non-fiction, and word books. And Grée definitely has a European feel to his work that adds another layer as well. They have a very timeless feel even though they bring to mind the Provensen-era of illustration.

They are charming, detailed, and intriguing. The illustrations are just incredibly worth poring over. And if nothing else, stalk Molly Idle’s work to drool and weep over the gorgeous illustrations she is able to create. While I think dinosaurs are often overdone in children’s literature, Molly Idle has a hilarious spin on the whole concept of dinosaurs that make these books highly entertaining. But then you add in the breathtaking illustrations and you get a completely different take on the text that makes you snicker, giggle, and full out guffaw. The text, if read alone, is pretty straight forward about proper ways to do a beach visit. I completely adore how Idle writes and illustrates these books.

Somehow I still have not gotten my hands on Camp Rex from last year, but I will try to rectify that issue soon.īut here, in our sea book frenzy, it is only fitting to love on Sea Rex. A few years ago I fell in love with Tea Rex and swiftly added it to my own library. Recently debuting this year is another in the beloved series by the fabulous Molly Idle about a Tyrannosaurus Rex in all sorts of fun and humorous situations. Be sure to check out the facebook page for fans that I’ve linked to with her name, and also this Pinterest page, and this great interview with her from 2010 when she was still working like crazy at 97! I love rabbit holes that I tumble down when researching books!

You’ll be fascinated by her pieces, I guarantee.

Sheilah Beckett, however, was an amazing illustrator with a crazy amount of work under her name. I’m fairly certain that she is the illustrator more commonly known as Sheilah Beckett, but for some reason that I cannot find, the “h” is left off for this book. It is a great spark for creativity, but also an introduction to beach activity for newbie beach-goers.Īlso, very much worth noting is the illustrator Sheila Beckett. Barney is totally believable as a kid and his simple imagination in creating a sand castle and using found objects to decorate it is captivating for kids. It is one of few books that my husband loved and saved from childhood and it has continued to receive love around here too. Barney’s Sand Castle by Stephanie Calmenson, illustrated by Sheila Beckett, 1983įirst up is this old, Little Golden Book.

Sea Rex by Molly Idle