THE BIG BEACH CLEANUP – a call to action!

There is nowhere I’d rather be than on a beach where I can walk the shore and listen to the waves. But there is nothing that can ruin a beach walk more than trash. For years our family has participated in Coastal Cleanup Day so the book I am sharing today is one that is close to my heart.

 

THE BIG BEACH CLEANUP

By Charlotte Offsay (author) and Katie Rewse (illustrator)

Albert Whitman & Co. 2021

Picture book for ages 4-8

Setting: The Beach

Themes: Environment, Earth Day, Activism, problem solving

 

The Story Begins…

Cora had big plans.
She was going to be the Crystal
Beach Sandcastle Champion.
She would spend all summer practicing-

Tall ones,
Funny ones,
and ones that made you
want to pack up your
bags and move on in.

Unfortunately, when Cora arrives at the beach, she finds it filled with so much trash that the competition is postponed. She and her mom try to clean the beach but their four hands just aren’t enough. Trash continues to wash in from the ocean.

Cora isn’t going to give up. She enlists her grandfather and now there are six hands to help.  But trash seems endless and Cora becomes even more upset when she sees a bird eating trash. Cora makes fliers to recruit helpers but everyone is too busy. Cora perseveres and continues to spread the word. Slowly more hands join together, the beach is cleaned, and the beach can be enjoyed by all.

Why THE BIG BEACH CLEANUP needs to be added to your book shelves:

• Beach and ocean pollution is an enormous problem affecting water quality and the health and safety of marine and shore wildlife. It is a subject that affects us all and this book is a great place for children to begin to develop an understanding of the effects of humans on our environment.
• THE BIG BEACH CLEANUP is an inspiring book to read aloud to all children who care about our world. Cora is a relatable character and children will realize how important it is for people to work together to make a difference.
• The beachy, colorful illustrations show diverse characters working and playing together and the variety of trash that ends up in and around the ocean.
• The author’s note lists how people can make changes in order to keep the oceans and beaches clean. The quick facts will help children to understand the magnitude of the ocean pollution problem.
• Children care about our world yet often feel helpless. THE BIG BEACH CLEANUP illustrates how one determined child can identify a problem, find a solution, and persevere to make change happen.

I highly recommend The Big Beach Cleanup. It is a hopeful book which encourages us all to think about the impact we can have to make our world a better place.

Visit Charlotte Offsay’s website to learn more about her and upcoming books.

Read more about the creation of THE BIG BEACH CLEANUP and about author, Charlotte Offsay, and illustrator Katie Rewse here.

A portion of the proceeds of THE BIG BEACH CLEANUP will help the organization, Heal the Bay.

Just for fun, play cleanup bingo next time you are at the beach.