Granny and Bean by Karen Hesse, Charlotte Voake
Published by Candlewick Press on September 27, 2022
ISBN: 1536214043
Pages: 32
Genres: Adventure
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads

A beautifully illustrated picture book that follows the simple yet lyrical text expected from author Hesse. Regardless of the gray sky, Granny and Bean enjoy a near perfect walk on the beach and readers are drawn in to their magical beach walk. The text is bold and easily read. Illustrator Voake’s choice of bright primary colors bring the characters to the forefront in each illustration, and even within all the gray, there is constant movement on each page. Newly arriving beach walkers are interesting with their colorful umbrellas and dogs but it is the birds who steal the show. Add this to primary school media centers and to public libraries, particularly those within driving distance of a loved beach though land-locked communities would benefit from placing this book on their shelves.

Reviewed by Jan Hamilton, retired children’s librarian