cover image At the Beach

At the Beach

Melanie Hope Greenberg. Dutton Books, $11.95 (24pp) ISBN 978-0-525-44474-9

Greenberg's first book is a childlike tribute to the sea, sand and sunshine of the shore. There are starfish snuggled into the grainy beach, seahorses (inflatable) to be tamed and seagulls that gather for a noisy farewell. The colors are as bright as a new set of paints, and the artist sets simple shapes amid flat perspectives. It's a welcome approach in picture books, as refreshing as a day at the beach. Ages 3-7. (Mar.)