Fun in the Sun

PreS-K— On a sunny morning, a pudgy dog packs up to go to the beach. He boards the bus with his pet goldfish, taking an overstuffed picnic basket and his beach umbrella. The quirky cast of characters on the bus, including a man in a silly hat and a tall, frisbee-throwing dog, is also headed for a day of fun in the sun. When they arrive, the sand is swarming with beach-goers, but the pup manages to find a good spot. He enjoys a sand-filled lunch (“crunchy and good”) and takes a dip in the sea, riding the waves with his goldfish. In the water, Fish befriends an affable octopus, who joins the goldfish in his little glass bowl. The dog and his friends fly kites, having “fun way up in the big blue sky.” Finally, when the sun sets in a blaze of violet and gold, the beach-goers head for home. The straightforward text is augmented by Cartrow’s uproarious watercolor and pencil illustrations. The exaggerated, somewhat startling facial expressions of the dog and his fellow sun worshipers, along with comical background details, enhance the easy-to-read story.