Jules wants to make a big sand castle to impress her sister. Meanwhile the ocean keeps taking her sand castle down and she feels defeated. In the end her sister helps Jules make the best sand castle. The ocean once again splashes it and they both have a laugh. This book is great to show a classroom because it shows us that not everything is in our control. The ocean will keep splashing and that is ok. ( )

Jules is going to impress her sister by building the biggest, fanciest, most excellent sand castle...but the Ocean keeps washing Jules' castle away. Her older sister comforts her and, when she is done boogie boarding, helps her build a huge sand castle...which the Ocean smashes. The sisters agree that that was "most excellent." In the car on the way home, their mother explains that the Ocean is controlled by the Moon.

A sweet, funny tale of sisterhood and perseverance, perfect for summer. ( )

Jules, her mom, and her sister are spending the day at the beach. They all have brown skin and hair in shades of purple-tinted brown, her mom with a pixie cut, Jules with a straight cut just under her ears, and her sister with slightly curly waist-length hair. While her mom, in a green suit and cover-up that shows the curves of her thighs and stomach, settles on the beach with a book (20,000 leagues under the sea), Jules' sister heads out to sea with her surfboard. Jules, in shorts and tank top, settles down to build an amazing sand castle that will impress her sister.

But the ocean smashes it. Jules builds it again, determined to keep it away from the ocean and impress her sister.

And the ocean smashes it.

Again.

And again.

And again.

Finally, the ocean even takes Jules' bucket! Defeated, Jules gives up. But then... her sister appears. She ties up her hair, comforts Jules, and together they build the most amazing, awesome sandcastle ever. And then...

The ocean smashes it.

But this time, with her sister there, the experience is completely different. Tired and happy, the little family packs up in the car to go home.

Sima has a recognizable style, and yet it's different in every book. In this story, the blues and greens of the ocean contrast with the beige sand, while the girls' and their activities are set off with pink and purple accents. Big, bold pink letters flash across the pages as Jules yells her rage at the obstreperous ocean, and soft purple hues surround the sisters as they work together to rebuild.

This would make an excellent read-aloud. The time is just write and kids will empathize, even as they giggle along, with Jules' growing frustration. It's also a great story about resilience and working together and shows a kindness and cooperation between siblings that is a hallmark of Sima's work.

Verdict: Grab this one for storytimes themed around beaches, siblings, working together, and resilience. It's a great book to recommend to daycares and schools working with their kids on social-emotional skills as well. Highly recommended.

ISBN: 9781534441682; Published June 2020 by Simon and Schuster; Review copy provided by publisher; Donated to the library.

Determination mixed with tons of sand makes this a cute and inspiring summer read for young beach lovers, who are ready to take on the sea.

Jules is going to impress her older sister. She's going to build the most amazing sandcastle ever. If the ocean would stop messing things up for her with its frustrating waves. Splashes and splats hammer at Jules' enthusiasm until it's her against the ocean. And either might win.

Any one who has tried to build a sand castle as a child will immediately find themselves in Jules' flip-flops. Her desire to impress her older sister...a very pure one...already makes her easy to cheer for. It's hard not to root for her as she gives her best, time and again. And defeat despite best intentions and hard work is something young listeners can relate to. The ending pulls through with a lovely and encouraging message. Plus, there's a tiny jab of humor built in.

Sun and fun radiate from every page and bring beach fun to life in these bright illustrations. Young listeners will wish they could hit the sand themselves and enjoy gazing at each page. The expressive text and font makes it a fun read-aloud, and the wording is very fitting to the age group.

It's a summer read beach fans and sand dreamers are sure to enjoy. I received an ARC, am giving it 4.5 stars, and rounding up. ( )