Sandcastle Book

Jack loves to build sandcastles, but no matter how strongly he builds them, the sea always sweeps them away. Then one night, a seagull outside his window wakes him up and calls him down to the beach. There he finds the sandcastle he built the day before — only life-sized! Jack marches across the drawbridge and embarks on a magical journey filled with jesters and musicians, feasting and dancing, a beautiful girl, and a magic shell. M. P. Robertson weaves a fun tale of fantasy and excitement with beautiful illustrations that capture the wonder of a little boy’s amazing adventure.

Children's Literature

Jack, a master sandcastle builder, can't stop the sea from washing his castles away, despite his wishes. But one magical night he finds his castle full-size, waiting for him to be crowned king. During the celebration, however, the ocean reclaims the castle and all those inside. Clutching a shell, Jack wishes that he was just a boy again, safe in his bed. When that wish is granted, he is happy to go back to building his castles, even if the sea takes them away. From vignettes to action-packed, double-page scenes, the naturalistic, fully detailed watercolors that visualize this dream-like tale enhance the narrative with costumes and architectural details. The lesson is well-cloaked in the attractive seaside setting. 2001, Rising Moon, $15.95. Ages 5 to 8. Reviewer: Ken Marantz and Sylvia Marantz