Ladybug Girl at the Beach

Even though Lulu—in full ladybug bathing suit regalia—has never been to the beach, she knows that she’s going to love it. But at the edge of the water, where she’s dwarfed by a curling wave that spills over an entire spread, she isn’t so sure about going in. Luckily, there are other things to do, like building sand castles and getting ice cream on the boardwalk. Davis’s warmly expressive illustrations capture Lulu’s trepidation and, in the end, her triumphant self-assurance: when her bucket gets drawn in with the tide, Ladybug Girl finally has to confront the ocean. A tender addition to the series. Ages 3–5. (May)