HONORS & REVIEWS


A JUNIOR LIBRARY GUILD Selection

A FAMILY FUN MAGAZINE FAVORITE

A COLORADO BOOK AWARD FINALIST 2006

"Rhyming text and bouncy and boldly colored illustrations in acrylic on watercolor paper capture the frenzy surrounding this hilarious, truly not-to-be-undone, fiercely determined to have a good time family. A rip-roaring fun read-aloud." School Library Journal

"What kid, or parent, won't identify with this tale of woe? Westcott's art ably captures the gathering frenzy, the unraveling of every nerve fiber. But Ashman's verse is so light of foot, readers will laugh rather than wince." Kirkus

"As bright as a box of Popsicles, this sunny picture book puts a lighthearted spin on a day of family chaos. The short, rhyming text scans with an easy bouncing beat as it maintains the story's stop-and-go tension. Pair this perfect warm-weather read-aloud with Phyllis Root's Rattletrap Car, another story of a family outing gone hilariously awry." Booklist

"The harried but happy family in Linda Ashman's TO THE BEACH! leaves behind some seashore essentials and must backtrack home . . . and then again . . . and again. This gentle satire of an outing gone awry doesn't forget to pack the laughs, though. And the surprise ending is sure to bring a smile." Family Fun Magazine

"Linda Ashman's new book, TO THE BEACH!, is a humorous story sure to resonate with anyone who's ever tried to get a family out the door for a big outing. No sooner have parents and kids piled in the car for the beach than they begin remembering what's been forgotten: dog, ducky pail, beach umbrella, kite, ball and cooler -- and, whew, the list goes on! The liveliness of the text is perfectly matched by Nadine Bernard Westcott's vivacious artwork." Children's BookPage

"TO THE BEACH is a very funny rhyming text that will have you laughing out loud by the end of the story. The hilarious and artfully drawn illustrations, by Nadine Bernard Westcott, go along perfectly with the story. This is a most fun read-aloud." Meridian Magazine


HARCOURT BOOKS
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TO THE BEACH!

View it on Google Books here.

From TO THE BEACH! Illustrations copyright 2005 by Nadine Bernard Westcott. With permission of Harcourt.

Author's Note


The car is packed.
We're on our way.
We're going to the beach today.

A block away, Kate starts to moan.
"We can't leave Fido home alone!"

Turn around, find Fido fast.
He's curled up, sleeping, in the grass.

The sun is bright. We squint our eyes.
"The beach umbrella!" Mama cries.

It's with the tote bag, in the den.
Grab them both and start again.


I often find myself getting in the car and realizing I left my keys (sunglasses, purse, library books -- you name it) in the house. And that's just with one child. So I started wondering what it might be like to try to get somewhere when you have LOTS of kids.

I chose to make that "somewhere" the beach because -- having spent most of my life in New Jersey and California -- I've made many similar trips, lugging (and forgetting) all sorts of beach paraphernalia.

I am delighted that my editor for this book, Karrie Oswald, thought of Nadine Bernard Westcott for the illustrations. I can't imagine a better choice. I love Nadine's vibrant colors, the wonderful expressions and details she includes, and her fabulous sense of humor -- be sure to keep an eye on that flamingo!

LINDA'S BOOKS:

New
CREAKY OLD HOUSE: A Topsy-Turvy Tale of a Real Fixer-Upper
"The clever, rhyming text bounces along with perfect cadence." SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL
COME TO THE CASTLE! A Visit to a Castle in Thirteenth Century England
"Quirky, sarcastic, and rather educational, too." BOOKLIST
WHEN I WAS KING
"This one's a keeper." SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL
M IS FOR MISCHIEF
"Ashman's poetic portraits are packed with lots of tasty assonance and alliteration." Starred Review, PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
STELLA, UNLEASHED: Notes from the Doghouse
"A hilarious look at the world through the sharp eyes and nose of a dog." SCRIPPS HOWARD NEWS SERVICE
Other Books
BABIES ON THE GO
"A 10 on the "aw"-inspiring scale." PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
CASTLES, CAVES & HONEYCOMBS
"Beautifully crafted and satisfying." Starred Review, BOOKLIST
TO THE BEACH!
"A family outing gone hilariously awry." BOOKLIST
STARRY SAFARI
"A rip-roaring, exciting excursion." SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL
RUB-A-DUB SUB
An "enchanting ride." PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
MAMA'S DAY
A "lovely reverie on the joys of being alive and being loved." Starred Review, PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
WHAT COULD BE BETTER THAN THIS?
"Youngsters will find nothing but comfort in these pages." KIRKUS
CAN YOU MAKE A PIGGY GIGGLE?
"Vibrant, playful text . . . excellent for storytimes." SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL
DESMOND & THE NAUGHTYBUGS
"A lighthearted look at bad behavior." KIRKUS
THE ESSENTIAL WORLDWIDE MONSTER GUIDE
"As pithy and clever as Ogden Nash at his best." Starred Review, KIRKUS
MAXWELL'S MAGIC MIX-UP
"A riotous adventure." HORN BOOK MAGAZINE
JUST ANOTHER MORNING
"Ashman captures the non-stop action in rollicking rhyme." KIRKUS
HOW TO MAKE A NIGHT
A "captivating collaboration." Starred Review, KIRKUS
SAILING OFF TO SLEEP
"A splendid bedtime fantasy." KIRKUS
THE TALE OF WAGMORE GENTLY
Wagmore is "a charming, gentle hero." KIRKUS REVIEWS