If You Ever Want to Bring a Piano to the Beach, Don’t!

Magnolia, the star of Parsley’s If You Ever Want to Bring an Alligator to School, Don’t!, and her multiracial family are beach-bound, and Magnolia insists on bringing the family piano. Before long, the piano has smooshed their lunch, gotten covered in seagull droppings, and floated off into the water. A situation this off-kilter requires a solution to match—fishing pole to the rescue!—and even that leads to more surprises. Magnolia’s wiser-than-thou narration and Parsley’s energetic illustrations are in perfect comic sync, though no words are needed for a misanthropically hilarious scene of Magnolia and her piano being attacked by hungry seagulls. Ages 4–8. Agent: Steven Malk, Writers House. (May)