This Beach Is Loud!

This volume launches Cotterill's Little Senses series of picture books featuring children on the autism spectrum or experiencing sensory challenges. A boy eagerly prepares for a day at the beach with his father—but when they arrive, he feels overwhelmed: the beach is busy, noisy, and full of sand. (“Daddy, I don’t like the beach and I want to go home. The sand is ouchy and sticky and bumpy and scratchy.”) In Cotterill’s block print, ink, and charcoal art, the boy is surrounded by an explosion of sound words that illustrate his response to various environmental factors. By portraying the child’s experience without labels, she allows readers to freely see themselves in his reactions to the stimulating world around him—and to potentially emulate his strategies for handling sensory overload. Also available: Nope, Never, Not for Me! Ages 3–7. [em](June) [/em] Correction: A previous version of this review incorrectly stated that this book is the creator's author-illustrator debut.