Review: At The Seaside

At the Seaside is a statement of a book. Standing 34cm high, this huge format board book is gloss, vim and vigour that makes you want to clutch at it, then stick it on a wall. Part painting, part children’s book, this may be a very simple book, but its essence is timeless.

Virtually wordless (there are a total of nine words and six of those are ‘Eric’), the book features a series of truly striking double-page spreads of one pretty sensational holiday experience. A beach, a beach hotel, some shops, a museum, a fun park, a camp… and all through these vignettes is a lone mum searching for her son – Eric.

While she searches, readers are treated to some truly superb eye-candy – a Where’sWally of brightly hued characters lolling, playing, engaging in life to the full. And right at the very end of the book, yes, Mum finds her boy.

Reading At the Seaside is like taking a retro trip to a childhood in Mediterranean Continental Europe. This is a thoroughly engaging and gorgeous book – perfect for two kinds of people – book lovers… and kids.

Title: At the Seaside
Author: Germano Zullo
Illustrator: Albertine
Publisher: Tate Gallery, $29.95
Publication Date: July 2009
ISBN: 9781854378620
Format: Hard cover, large format
For ages: 1+
Type: Picture Book, Board Book