Chu’s Day at the Beach

Chu's Day at the Beach

Chu’s Day at the Beach

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chu’s Day at the Beach

Neil Gaiman

Adam Rex

Bloomsbury, 2015

32pp., hbk., RRP $A19.99

9781408864367

 

Chu the panda is well-named for whenever he sneezes, he sneezes with such force amazing things happen.  And in this third adventure, it is no different. An ordinary day at the beach with his family with his mother sitting on the sand reading her book, his father in the water up to his tummy and the ice cream seller giving Chu an extra scoop gets turned on its head when Chu feels that familiar tickle and the inevitable happens.  The ocean parts in a somewhat biblical fashion and Chu finds himself among creatures more familiar with being under the water than on it.  The whale expresses their feelings…”When the sea is broken, I cannot go home,” it said.

So Chu needs to sneeze again to put things back the way they were.  But no matter what, he cannot sneeze and it seems the sea will remain broken. Until…

Younger readers may well have already met Chu is his earlier adventures, Chu’s Day and Chu’s Day at School so they will be thrilled to see another episode that promises lots of fun.  Even if he is new to them, the storyline and the bright, engaging illustrations will appeal. There are things that are familiar and things that are new, and all will be holding their breath to hope that Chu can find a way to sneeze. 

A charming addition to a preschool collection from a writer who seems to be able to hit the mark with a wide range of audiences which can be used to help the children understand continuity of character and what they already know about both Chu and the beach to help them predict and enjoy the story.

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