Published by Candlewick

Summary:  Eleanor is ready for a fun day at the beach, but her little dog Sukie isn’t so sure.  For everything that Eleanor proposes–going to the beach, chasing a beach ball, swimming–Sukie has a long list of worries, always ending with a concern about lobsters.  When Eleanor jumps in the ocean, Sukie sits at the water’s edge with her favorite stuffed monkey, Chunka Munka, and watches.  But when a rogue wave catches Chunka Munka and carries him out to sea, Sukie forgets her fears and dives in after him.  She even swims past something that might be a lobster to make the rescue.  Back ashore, Eleanor tells Sukie she knew she could do it.  The friends spend the rest of the afternoon playing in the sand, eating ice cream, and watching for lobsters.  32 pages; ages 4-8.

Pros:  A fun summer story (sorry to be reviewing it in October) about overcoming your fears.  Sukie is adorable, and Chunka Munka is pretty cute too.

Cons:  Dogs aren’t allowed on the beach!

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