Greetings from Sandy Beach

by Bob Graham

A young girl describes her family's camping trip at the beach and the new friends they make there.

Genres: Picture Books, Family, Childrens, International

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1981

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.

An Australian children's author and illustrator. His books include Max, which won the Nestlé Smarties Book Prize Gold Award, Jethro Byrd, Fairy Child, which won the Kate Greenaway Medal, and "Let's Get A Pup!" Said Kate which won the Boston Globe-Horn Book Award

Reviews

[Amy Layton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love books about various groups of social identities coming together and having a great time despite their differences!  From a family, to bikers, and to campers, all groups have a great time, and overcome whatever sort of stereotype one might hold about the other.  This is a great book for learning not to judge a book by its cover--for the scariest people can be the kindest, and members of groups can be the most individual of them all.  

Review cross-listed here!

[Neda · Rating 5 out of 5]

You just cannot put down until you're finished..
It's amazing & the pictures are just great.. Well that's Bob of course :)

Also regarding the main idea of the book I should add that it's good for talking with children about presuppositions & prejudices.. Such a book can also be instructive for adults too :)

Happy I had a chance to read it :)

[Nicola · Rating 3 out of 5]

We read a few Bob Graham picture books this week. 'The Wild', 'Crusher is Coming' and 'Greetings from Sandy Beach'. They have a kind of nostalgic and familiar feel to me which makes sense since it turns out 'The Wild' was written back in 1986 and the author turns out to be Australian. I think my favourite was probably 'Crusher is Coming' as big brother discovers that he doesn't have to be hyper macho when his friend comes over after school as Crusher ends up utterly enchanted by 2 year old little sister.

The stories are little snippets of what feel like memories (or someone else's memories). Like art house cinema they don't necessarily have a story arc but are pleasant to read through once.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of my favorite authors, even though I have to read his older works, like this one, on openlibrary. This is a nice quiet story of a family's weekend at the beach (tent camping). Nothing dramatic happens, but all, including the reader, learn about the value of diversity, or making new 'friends.'

[Freddie D · Rating 4 out of 5]

Warm, funny and distinctly Australian.

[Kerri Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

[CBCA Winner picture book 1991]

Bob Graham is renowned for his winning illustrative stories that take children on a trip to familiar places with family themes. This is no different.

[Fox · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like they kept the souvenirs! And It was funny when the mum wrote Gerald in the sand with Gerald.

[Stacy Slater · Rating 4 out of 5]

The parents in Bob Graham's books are usually loopy and lovable, and the Mum and Dad here are no exception. The family holiday gets off to an inauspicious start, with Dad crying about leaving the dog, and younger brother Gerald throwing up in the car. Things appear to go downhill once at the campsite when the family realizes they are wedged between the Disciples of Death motorcycle gang and a group of rowdy school kids. Unlikely friendships form, and the narrator/daughter returns home with an Icy Pop stick, a souvenir shell, and fond memories.

This book proves the old adage that if you have to explain a joke, it isn't funny anymore. Although younger children might appreciate the obvious humor, such as Mum walking around with a toffee wrapper stuck to her backside, it is children in grades 2 through 4 who will most appreciate the subtle ironies and offbeat humor of the relationships between the central family and their beachfront neighbors. Greetings from Sandy Beach belongs more in the writing workshop than the reading workshop. Graham is a master at using just enough understated goofiness to provide humor without spilling over into total caricature. Students could easily follow Graham's example to write their own "twisted vacation" stories.

[Lauren Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

Family goes on a camping vacation. There are a lot of other children there and the child says they feel embarrassed when his parents are around. Lots of kids growing up feel the same way. It also teaches you not to judge a book by its cover. The other people on vacation were rough looking but ended up being very nice, helpful people. They even helped the family set up their tent. This is a good book for younger readers.

[Heidi Burkhart · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read this many times, to students, and for my own pleasure. Bob Graham has a way of making a normal outing laced with subtle humor and delightful illustrations.

[Danielle Simmons · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book about the adventures of a boy who goes to the beach with his mum, dad, and lttle brother. Things get pretty crazy when they run into the disciples of death which is a motorcylce gang and some annoying kids on a field trip. But it all works out in the end and they all get along and have fun.

[Eva · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book I read a while back to Everett and just got again. I remember that it made me tear up because it is so sweet which embarrassed Everett. I caught him reading it to himself a couple of times later that day and he had the sitter read it to him that night too. It's lovely and simple and perfect.

[Margaret Muirhead · Rating 5 out of 5]

Too bad there's no cover image here, but this is a goody. Everyone's familiar with Max, Queenie, and Let's Get a Pup, Said Kate, but this is the favorite Bob Graham at our house. What can we say? We love the Disciples of Death because they are so nice.

[LauraW · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an example of why I love a lot of Australian books for kids: you can feel the love of family and the love of place. Sure, you get those in American books, too, but, for some reason, I can just FEEL the warmth in this book. Tops.

[Serge Smagarinsky · Rating 4 out of 5]

The structure of this story is more like a condensed novel, rather than a classic picture book structure. The first person narration has a unique and very believable voice, dripping with an Australian flavour of humour.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun story about a family's holiday at the beach, which reminded me of my own childhood holidays. I loved that the illustrations added a little extra to the story at times, the way great picture books can.

[Glenn Kennedy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story about a family going on a beach trip. This wild be a good book to read before spring break or summer because people will be gong t the beach.

[Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was hilarious, I was reminded of my own camping trips as a kid with the huge tent, and the unexpected kindness of strangers.

[Liz Murray · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun read perfect for the start of the summer. Light and good humoured, a treat for children young and old.