Gretchen Over the Beach

Reviewed by: Sheila Dube - Springvale Public Library, Springvale, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: August 4, 2016

Review

Alley has authored a set of seasonal picture books featuring one of four siblings and imaginative play. Gretchen is the star of this summer story, although she doesn't feel like the star. The family is taking a trip to the beach and the older siblings leave Gretchen and her roly-poly toys on the sand to head for the water. No one seems to listen as even her hat flies away in the breeze. For those readers familiar with the other books, imagination saves the day and soothes Gretchen's frustrations. As her hat blows in the breeze, she grabs the ribbon and is swept up into her hat, along with the roly-polys, and they go on a flying adventure with a seagull. As the older siblings come back to shore, Gretchen is found in small tide pool, wet, ribbon-less with a big grin on her face. The cheerful and colorful illustrations are done in watercolor, acrylic, gouache, ink and pencil. The smaller book size is perfect for younger readers.

Overall Book Score: good