Bringing the Beach Home
Laura Atkins, illus. by Evgenia Penman. Collective Book Studio, $18.95 (40p) ISBN 978-1-6855-5836-9
“We’re always going back and forth,” Rowan says wearily when picked up by Dad for the weekend. But the next day, the two head to the beach, where the shore’s own “back and forth” gradually works its magic via the surf’s calming rhythm (“The waves came in. The waves went out”) and the breeze’s swirling the sand. After a picnic, Dad playfully buries Rowan in sand and shells, which “hugged Rowan in a warm soft embrace” and makes the child feel “home.” Back at Dad’s house, the two create wind chimes from beach treasures, offering a reminder of the sensations Rowan has experienced that day—and a somatic experience of home. Spatter-textured, watercolor-like images by illustrator Penman capture coastal light and hues as vividly as Rowan’s blossoming joy and reconnection. Atkins (Calling All Future Voters!) writes a creativity- and sensory-oriented story that hints at how art and nature can serve as emotional anchors, offering continuity and renewal. The protagonists have pale skin. A note, “Creating with Our Feelings,” concludes. Ages 4–8. (July)
Correction: The text of this review has been updated for clarity.
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Reviewed on: 04/17/2025
Genre: Children's