The Big Beach Cleanup

by Charlotte Offsay, Katie Rewse (Illustrator)

When it comes to the environment, a community must work together.

Cora is excited to enter the local sandcastle-building contest―until the contest is canceled due to litter at the beach. Determined to help save their favorite place, Cora and Mama get to work picking up the single-use plastics that have washed onto the shore. It will take more than four hands to clean up the beach, but Cora is just getting started.

Genres: Picture Books, Nature, Environment, Science, Realistic Fiction, Activism, Childrens

32 pages, Hardcover

Published March 23, 2021

About the author

Charlotte Offsay was born in England, grew up in Boston, and currently lives in Los Angeles with her husband and two small children. Born into a family with a love of travel and adventure, Charlotte enjoys exploring new places and cultures. She is a former corporate finance client specialist who now spends her days caring for her family, volunteering in her local community, traveling, and using her experiences to fuel her true passion: writing.

Through her work, Charlotte hopes to make children laugh, to inspire curiosity, and to create a magical world her readers can lose themselves in time and time again.

Her debut picture book, The Big Beach Cleanup, will be published by Albert Whitman in March 2021, followed by How to Return a Monster releasing Fall 2021 with Beaming Books. A Grandma's Magic, will be published by Doubleday Books for Young Readers/Penguin Random House in Spring 2022.

For more information visit www.charlotteoffsay.com. She is represented by Nicole Geiger at Full Circle Literary.

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Reviews

[Cara Byrne · Rating 5 out of 5]

As discussions of the climate crisis and mistreatment of water (from plastic in our oceans to pipelines affecting water supplies) emerge, books like _The Big Beach Cleanup_ can help a reader answer the question: "But what can I do?" The story begins with Cora - who is excited to build a sandcastle for an upcoming summer contest. However, she learns that the contest needs to be postponed due to the polluted beach. Cora is initially disappointed but then is inspired to recruit members of her community (from her Grandpa to neighbors) to help clean up the litter from the beach. The book ends with a happier scene of people playing in the ocean and building magnificent (and silly) sandcastles. With sweet, colorful illustrations of Cora's beach and community, this book was a great choice to read before bed with my 4-year-old and 7-year-old.
It was also inspirational to them. While we read this book on a cold January day surrounded by 2 feet of snow outside, they talked to me about trash they see in the spring and summer, including on the playground, throughout our neighborhood, and even on the shore of Lake Erie. We brainstormed ways to be like Cora and (carefully) collect trash when we walk around so it doesn't hurt the animals, people, or environment. This book also paired really nicely with recent Caldecott winner _We Are Water Protectors_!
*I received this book by Charlotte Offsay for Multicultural Children's Book day 2022. For more information about this annual event, search #ReadYourWorld*

[Julie Hedlund · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book overall, but I especially appreciate the fact that Cora's hopes and plans for the beach cleanup turn out to be more difficult to execute than she thought. She had to stick with it and find creative ways to motivate people to help. Often in environmental or any advocacy books, the help comes quickly and easily, but in The Big Beach Cleanup, that help is earned. There is some great back matter that shows kids how even the smallest actions can be a big help. Definitely one teachers will want to use in environmental and ocean/beach studies.

[Annelouise · Rating 5 out of 5]

My daughter has spent days picking up litter from beaches and has a keen awareness of the harm pollution has on the environment. This book hit home for me. It's an important story as much as an inspiring one. It's important for kids to see they can make a difference, as well as how they can inspire those around them even when it's not easy. This is a beautifully written story with tender illustrations. It feels as though a lot of thought and care was put into this book and I highly recommend it.

[Sophia Gholz · Rating 5 out of 5]

An engaging and inspiring book for all readers. In THE BIG BEACH CLEANUP, Cora’s excited to enter the local sandcastle competition. She is devastated when the competition is canceled due to poor beach conditions. But instead of giving up, Cora takes charge and leads the community on a mission. This is an important story with a fresh take on the topic of environmental pollution. This book will leave young readers feeling happy and hopeful. Informative back matter compliments the text with a nice call to action.

[Tracy Gold · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful way to show how kids can change the world—either through not littering in the first place or working hard to galvanize their community to clean up when there is a trash disaster. I loved watching Cora learn about the trash in the ocean. It is so sad that we have done this to our world. However, Cora helps bring her community together so the beach is clean enough for the sand castle competition after all! Educational back matter helps show kids how they can help keep trash out of the ocean, too!

[Norene Paulson · Rating 5 out of 5]

When her dreams of winning the Crystal Beach Sandcastle building competition are dashed because of trash, Cora decides to take matters into her own hands except two, not even four counting her mom's, hands are enough to make a difference. Instead of walking away, Cora becomes an activist and even when her idea doesn't initially come together, Cora persists until there are enough helping hands. In this "call to action" story, Offsay's delightful text and Rewse's warm and colorful illustrations challenge readers to join hands to help eliminate the amount of trash our beaches collect. The "All hands on deck" or, in this case, "All hands on shore" back matter provides everyday, common sense things we can all do to protect our fragile environment. An important story with an important message. Highly recommended!

[Sherri Maret · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book that should be in all school libraries. No matter how small you are, you CAN make a difference if you try.

[Julie Ditton · Rating 5 out of 5]

When the sandcastle contest is cancelled due to all the trash on the beach, Cora wants to clean it up. But soon she realizes that it is too big of a task. It will take many hands to pitch in and help. Charlotte Offsay tells this sweet story as Cora counts the increasing number of helping hands. She teaches the reader a lot about ocean trash pollution through this story. Parents who want to instill concern for the environment will want this book for their youngsters. It is a book that teaches , not preaches. And the afterwards provides a lot of ideas for older readers about other ways to help the environment. This book is perfect for Primary school teachers doing an ecology lesson. It is also perfect for storytime on Earth Day or World Ocean Day.

[Robin Newman · Rating 5 out of 5]

What can one pair of hands do? One pair of hands can start a movement. In THE BIG BEACH CLEANUP, Cora has been looking forward to Crystal Beach Sandcastle competition. Unfortunately, the event is cancelled because the beach is covered in litter. So, Cora puts her hands to work and begins to clean up the beach. But one pair of hands is not enough. She enlists the help of others and with lots of determination, hard work, and many pairs of hands, Cora is able to clean up the beach. This is a wonderfully inspiring story how little hands can make a big difference. Highly recommended.

[Amanda Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this sweet story about team work, problem-solving, initiative, and conservation. As an ocean lover myself, I think it's so important for children (and adults) to understand the impact we are having on our precious oceans and earth. THE BIG BEACH CLEANUP touches upon this issue in a way that is accessible to children while also empowering children to take action on issues that are important to them and use problem-solving and teamwork to make a change. The bright and lively illustrations keep the mood and energy positive and hopeful as Cora and her team work to make a difference.

[Chelsea Lin · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this empowering story about little girl with a big problem, we see how small hands can make big change. Cora is a little girl excited to win a sand castle contest, when the contest is cancelled due to litter on the beach. Instead of whining or complaining, Cora turns outwards, and examines the root of the problem through questions and curiosity. She finds out that litter doesn’t just cancel contest, but it can hurt the creatures and the worlds they live in. Determined to make a change, Cora recruits her mom to help clean the beach. But four hands don’t feel like enough, and Cora expands her mission.
When I read this book with my daughter at our local beach, she immediately jumped up and started looking for trash to pick. It immediately opened her eyes and heart to how she can make a difference right then and there. Talk about an inspiring story!

The story is beautifully written by Charlotte and the art takes you right to the beach on a summer day.
I highly recommend this story for all the mini-activists in your home and in your classrooms!

[V · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anyone who has been disgusted by the trash on the beach will identify with the characters in The Big Beach Cleanup.

When the local sandcastle competition is cancelled due to beach pollution, a little girl enlists the community's help in removing trash from the shore. She experiences frustration with the magnitude of the problem, but is eventually gratified with a clean (enough) strand and a competition. The book ends with the girl's plans to combat the problem long-term. Back matter includes kid-achievable action plans and information about pollution.

The Big Beach Cleanup adds its voice to the chorus of "we need to act now" books and is ideal for the youngest audience just cognizing the problem of pollution. Two things stand out in the picture book: the immediately personal impact of pollution and the counting of helping hands. A young audience who is still ego-centric can comprehend why pollution is a personal problem: no sandcastle competition. Plus, the counting of hands engages preschoolers and toddlers in an active reading experience. If you're on a pollution- or ocean-themed kick, The Big Beach Cleanup will fit right in.

[Peacegal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cora, a little girl who is excited about an upcoming sandcastle contest at the beach, is disappointed to see that the shoreline is full of ugly litter. She and her mom spend the day picking it up, but they soon realize that the job is too big for just two people.

The rest of the book has an upbeat, clever feel as Cora and her family come up with new ways to spread the word about cleaning up the beach. Lots more helping hands commit to the cause, and by the time the contest rolls around, the beach is enjoyable again. I especially liked the part when Cora's mom wisely explains that while not everyone will be able or willing to volunteer to clean litter, she can spread the word to these people about things they can do in their own lives to prevent that litter in the first place, and that's just as important. Good message!

As I expected, there is a section in the back that offers tips about reducing our own impact on the plastic waste crisis facing the world's oceans. Unfortunately, the book offers up no information or ideas relating to the biggest plastic polluter of them all: the commercial fishing industry. Talking about straws, bags, and six-pack rings is all well and good, but if you're not also talking about the role of our food choices in causing ocean waste, you're fighting with one hand tied behind your back. It's an issue too important and urgent to ignore.

[Kirsten Pendreigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

This sweet, realistic, and child-centred story will leave young readers feeling empowered to protect their local environment. When garbage washes ashore and forces the cancellation of a long-awaited sandcastle competition, young Cora sets out to clean her local beach. But like any good problem-solver, she doesn’t work alone—Cora asks lots of questions and seeks out help. Too often, these kinds of stories feature unrealistic, larger-than-life heroes. Here, Offsay skillfully lets readers learn along with Cora that while there are always hurdles, persistence and community engagement produce meaningful change. Practical, actionable back matter is also provided. A beautiful book!

[Serena Gingold Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have so much love for this book—it’s a sweet and touching story, the main character is a strong role model for kids, and the message is fantastic. Every time I take my kids to our local beach, we wind up picking up trash before we play because there is always trash there. So my older kid (he’s five) could totally relate to this book. We’ve also participated in a sand castle contest so we both thought that part of the story was awesome too. And we loved that the main character in the book solves a real problem in a realistic way. We’re inspired now to organize our own beach cleanup! This book would also be perfect for classroom use or for reading to a scout troop who wants to do some community service.

[Joan Marr · Rating 5 out of 5]

A truly beautiful story about a girl’s efforts to clean up her local beach so a sand castle contest can be held. The story revolves around how she gets other people involved and excited about the project, and the inspiring resolution honestly gave me an emotional lift. Great story to teach kids in a non-preachy way how they can help out with the environment, and it touches on other ways people can help in addition to direct involvement with clean-up projects. Great message, cheerfully illustrated. Highly recommend!

[Laura Gehl · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a masterful blend of story (and gorgeous illustrations) with information and advocacy that never felt preachy. Through Cora's conversations with her mom, we learn about the problem of marine trash and different ways to help. I liked that Cora's solution to the problem didn't come easily. At one point, people are ignoring her flyers and even someone she knows is too busy to help. But she persists, and with time and effort the solution comes together. A great book to read before going to the beach this summer! Kids will be inspired to be part of the solution themselves.

[Susan Novich · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charlotte Offsay’s lovely book, THE BIG BEACH CLEANUP, demonstrates how young kids can have a big impact on the world around them and be catalysts for change. Disappointed that the sand castle contest she has been looking forward to can’t take place, Cora puts her own hands to work and enlists the help of many other hands in the community. Although some people are unable to join her, Cora perseveres and ultimately manages to turn the tide. Offsay makes both the introduction to environmental concerns and a call to action accessible to all.

Sweet illustrations by Katie Rewse match the tone of the story, and the author’s note will encourage young readers to get involved with and help their communities. THE BIG BEACH CLEANUP will make a wonderful addition to any home or library collection.

[Nicholas Solis · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE BIG BEACH CLEAN UP is a phenomenal book about how even the smallest person can make a huge difference. Cora is excited to enter the sandcastle building contest, but when pollution cancels the contest Cora gets to work! What might seem daunting at first gets easier and easier when you reach out for help. With vibrant illustrations and words of hope, THE BIG BEACH CLEAN UP is definitely a book you’ll want to check out!

[Lisa Katzenberger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cora loves making sandcastles and can’t wait for the big competition! But she is devastated to learn that that contest has been cancelled because of so much trash from the ocean washing onto the beach. She starts to clean, but needs more help than her family can provide. As Cora brings her community together, her hope rises for a beautiful sandcastle contest. The backmatter includes facts about litter and ways to help keep beaches clean. A helpful story for kids to learn about the environment and social responsibility.

[Meera Sriram · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cora's dreams of a sandcastle contest at the local beach come crashing when the beach is trashed and the event is cancelled. When Cora realizes that her family's hands are not enough to clean the mess, she does everything in her capacity to reach out for and include more hands! A story on environmentalism and believing in the collective power of community, this book is timely and relevant for us and for raising little climate activists.

[Skylaar Amann · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Big Beach Cleanup combines a bittersweet tale of ocean pollution and activism with lively, colorful illustrations. The main character learns about the very real plight of plastic pollution facing the ocean and all life on earth. She comes up with a wonderful, inclusive plan to tackle the problem locally. This story shares an important message and sweet tale of getting involved in issues that matter to you. Wonderful story and imagery, with a great theme.

[Christine Zandt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Elementary-age kids know that "something needs to be done" about the single-use plastics problem, but may not always be sure how they can help. Read this book and you'll find out! The heartwarming story shows a girl named Cora whose local sandcastle-building contest is canceled because of the trash on the beach.

Cora decides to clean up the mess but soon realizes more hands are needed. The actions she takes are ones we can all do. I appreciate seeing books that communicate huge problems in bite-size pieces. We can pitch in to help with the current problem and change our day-to-day choices so that we don't keep polluting the oceans at this alarming rate.

The art captures the up and down moods well. I especially like the colorful scenes where the community comes together and makes a difference. A perfect book for the #EarthDayEveryDay movement taking root around the world!

[Ellen Leventhal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cora plans to be the Chrystal Beach Sandcastle Champion. She is sure she will build tall ones, funny ones, and some that will make you want to pack up and move right in. But when she gets to the beach, it's covered with trash. When her mother tells her that she doesn't have enough hands to clean it all, Cora goes to work, finding more hands to help. Through this story, readers learn how they can help keep our beaches clean, but the story is never didactic. Aside from the obvious message of our pollution problems, this is a story about a little girl who decides to do something and her determination to do it. As a bonus, Offsay includes back matter with information about beach pollution and what we can all do to help. I highly recommend this book.

[Readreadread · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an empowering read! When her beloved sandcastle contest is canceled due to trash on the beach, Cora rallies everyone to help clean up. Along the way, as she learns about the origin of ocean trash and how harmful it is to marine life, her activism grows. A wonderful story about the power of one and the power of community. In her back matter, the author details further environment facts and simple action plans that every young reader can take to help better our world. Highly recommended!

[Kirsti Call · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Big Beach Cleanup by Charlotte Offsay and Katie Hewse tells the story about a little girl named Cora who is so excited to participate in the sandcastle contest at her local beach but is disappointed when the contest is cancelled because the beach is filled with litter and plastic. I love how one child inspires the community to clean up--this is such a great story of the power of one person and the importance of taking care of our earth.

[Hannah Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this! This book focuses on a very important topic relevant to a very important crowd. I think the gentle fluidity of the writing, combined with the colorful illustrations, makes this a really great learning tool in many capacities. It’s definitely a favorite for me

[AEB · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this book Cora, the main character, is disappointed that the local sand castle competition is cancelled because the beach has too much trash. Cora is determined to fix the problem and works hard to get others involved as well. The illustrations are charming, and the story contains an important message that even children can make a difference in taking care of our planet.

[Amber Hendrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a delightful look at how a single, determined pair of helping hands can inspire and grow into many pairs. The endearing text, coupled with soft illustrations, brings gentle attention to the serious issue of pollution and how it affects our every day lives. What initially appears to be a disappointing and daunting task, turns into an opportunity to bring community together for a cause.

[Phaea Crede · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the way this story breaks down a big, overwhelming task into small things we a can all do to make a difference, once pair of hands at a time.