Beach Ball

A stiff breeze blows Mary's beach ball along the water's edge for miles and miles. People, objects and animals appear and disappear as Mary gallops from page to page, chasing the ball that remains just a bit ahead of her. Her mostly wordless quest is augmented with a different concept worked into each spread. The reader is made aware of various things to look for by clever signals in each left-hand corner. A spread devoted to different kinds of animals is indicated by a flock of birds flying in formation spelling out the words `` . . . name the animals.'' This added bit of fun makes combing the beach for different things a game of infinite variety. Sis's ( Waving ) inimitably cheerful illustrations fuse a riot of unsullied color with deft details and endless invention. Ages 3-up. (Sept.)