Beach buddies by Helen Milroy

After reading this there will be a beeline for the beach to look more closely at what can be found in the shallows. Readers and adults alike will be transported by the information rich single sentences set against the marvellous illustrations. From starfish to crab, blowfish, seahorse and jellyfish, stingray and sea urchins, octopus and anemone and clownfish, sea creatures are shown in their environment. The stunning illustrations are full of colour and interest, directing young readers to check out the detail in each panel.

I love the blue endpapers, summarising all the information in the book, encouraging readers to find all the creatures in the book.

Helen Milroy is a descendant of the Palyku people of the Pilbara region of Western Australia. With her medical training, Helen is very involved in the health and well being of children, and has a written a growing number of books aimed at all children, encouraging their interest in the world around them, supported by stunning illustrations reflecting her Aboriginal heritage. Beach buddies is the first in a new series about the beach.

Like the others in the series about the bush, the books are presented in a smaller size and with a solid cover, all designed for younger readers to hold and read. They will quickly learn the names of the animals on each double page, and eagerly look for clues in the illustrations reflecting their environment and habitat. Teaching notes and an activity are available from the publisher.

Themes: Aboriginal themes, Beach creatures.

Fran Knight