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It is Sam's fifth birthday, and his parents have a huge surprise for him: a full day of beach-going fun. They surprise him in the morning with gifts like sandals, toys, and clothes to enjoy these festivities even more, and before long, the whole family arrives at their destination. Sam approaches his first time at the beach with wide-eyed wonder, taking in sights such as a tractor that cleans the area, seagulls flying high overhead, two lifeguards on the alert, and the fish in the ocean. He plays with other children and makes shapes in the sand. With all these activities, the hours pass by in a blur of excitement, and he is quite tired by the time they leave for home. Once he gets tucked into bed, Sam falls asleep easily while thinking of all the fun he had at the beach.
There is something very admirable about any story that highlights the wonders of visiting specific locations, and this story is a great example. Young readers are sure to become as excited as Sam does at the beautifully illustrated beach, with many friends to meet and things to experience. It is perfect for children who might never have been there before or who, like Sam, are just about to enjoy a trip to those sandy stretches for the first time. While the intent is for this story to be told at bedtime, it would also be appropriate during the day for kids interested in beaches or the ocean. As hinted at, the illustrations add another layer of enjoyment to the story as a whole and are soothing to see. In addition, the rhyme scheme and repetition of certain words add nice musical flourishes to the text. Overall, this is a pleasurable read that children interested in the beach are sure to love.