With an endearing main character and an important message, this new release from Paula Bowles is a beachy delight. Echoing the long summer days that hopefully we're all enjoying, this picture book is all about having fun, being considerate and looking after the planet too.

Crab loves his beachy home. But when he invites some friends to come and enjoy it too, he's shocked when they make a real mess. Soon Crab is doing all the tidying up while the others have fun. Maybe it's time to make his voice heard...

Living close to the beach ourselves and trying to do our bit to keep it clean, this is the perfect picture book for my three, gently reinforcing the need to take responsibility for our actions. But whether you live near the beach, are visiting the beach or have never even been to the beach, the message is still applicable to everyone; be considerate to others and protect our special places. Although this might seem slightly didactic (but hugely important), the takeaway is wrapped up snugly (just like a snail in a shell) within an entertaining story and told through the eyes of an adorable but tiny character who really cares. Surely, his friends will have way more fun on a clean and tidy beach?

Crab is a brilliant choice of main character - representing that small lone voice we often feel we have. But although easy to ignore, this little guy is not giving up and proves a tiny voice can make a difference when it finds its boldness. The illustrations are a joy and will put you right in the holiday mood but, best of all, adults can also use the book to gently introduce the idea of a 'tidy house' too. Okay, I may be joking about that (mostly) but tidy definitely doesn't mean 'no fun!'

A great book which teaches children the importance of tidying up and caring for their environment. The illustrations are bright, colourful and lovely and the crab is endearing!

A successful book, but I think the point and moral of it is a little bit off. It's about a tiny, tidy crab, who realises his beach is wonderful enough to share – but never realises how many animals he will have to share it with, and how much crap they'll leave behind them. The moral of the story is that this tiny crab has to be listened to when it comes to cleanliness and his environment, because its his environment after all, but what rankled is that it was other animals making the mess. Yes, they're doing human things, like queueing for ice creams and so on, and yes this is for the under-tens, but no – it's not them that would leave the place in such a state. Or if it was it's solely because they'd have learnt it from us. Some lovely images, and a good heart to the piece, yes – but as I say the unrealism that such a message can ill afford got in the way of me giving this more than three and a half stars.

Tiny Crab loves his beautiful beach and wants to share it with his friends, but when they leave behind their rubbish for him to pick up he knows he needs to show them the error of their ways.

Shared this delightful book with my children tonight, they loved the beautiful and bright illustrations and is a great way to help young children understand the importance of looking after our planet