Greetings from Sandy Beach

A seemingly doomed camping trip at the seashore turns into a sunny vacation in this wacky picture book by the creator of Crusher Is Coming! and The Red Woolen Blanket . When a family reaches its campsite only to find a gang of motorbikers called the Disciples of Death, Dad thinks things look bleak--``Don't go near them,'' he warns. But outward appearances prove misleading as the ``bikies'' help Dad set up the tent, play in the sand and pass out raspberry popsicles. Graham's matter-of-fact text, peppered with the daughter's flavorful observations, reads much like a long, comical postcard. The full-color paintings feature crayon accents that impart a breezy, slightly slapdash air. Black dot eyes and bulbous noses go a long way to enhance the cast of innocent and congenial characters. But most pleasing of all, the book's child protagonist--unburdened by any preconceived notions--never sees the Disciples as a threat, and eventually Dad learns this valuable lesson, too. Ages 4-8. (Mar.)