This book is a cute little set of stories for younger children, I’d recommend preschool to Year 2. Each Act (part) has main characters that live around Seashell Key and then come together for the final Act all together.

The artwork in this copy was lovely, I hope the author keeps this similar in the final copy.

I requested this book because of the comparisons to Princess in Black, which is much loved at my house. It shares the same whimsical take on life, providing subtle life lessons without taking itself too seriously.

Divided into parts, each of which is a few chapters long, this first book in the projected series introduces all of our characters—six children, a dog, and a turtle. Parents and other adults are peripheral to the action, but not nonexistent.

In this book, it is the first day of the summer tourist season at Seashell Key, and the children are having adventures. Some are creating their own businesses. Others are just enjoying their beautiful seaside town. These are actual children, full of imagination, not over-precocious caricatures.

While my ARC was not yet fully illustrated, there were enough illustrations to see that they are vibrant, active and colorful.

This would be a fun book to bring along on your own beach trip with a child.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing an advanced reader copy in exchange for my opinion.

This book is also reviewed at https://biblioquacious.blogspot.com/2024/04/whos-ready-for-day-at-beach.html

The first in a new series for emerging readers ready to move from traditional reader books. The characters just didn't engage me that much. Not that readers like this are great literary offerings, but not sure this has enough appeal to get kids excited about more adventure with the targeted audience.

Seashell Key, by Lourdes Heuer, is a cute beginning reader. An island setting, with fun foods and animals, makes things interesting and the repetitive words and phrases support beginning reader success in this first of a series chapter book. The book I am reviewing is an ARC, and the illustrations are not completed. The preliminary illustrations that I did see looked to add interest and hints to the wording on the pages.
Thanks, NetGalley and the publisher, for providing me with the ARC ebook I read and reviewed. All opinions are my own.

Such a fun start to a perfect early reader series. This first book is a great introduction to the characters and the beautiful setting, Seashell Key. The diverse cast of characters will be relatable to many, and the tropical location will be a dream. In fact, I want to spend a week there myself!
I feel like this new series will be a hit with emerging readers and get them excited about being able to read chapter books! I can't wait to read about their next adventure.