Gideon wants to build a sand castle all by himself—until he doesn't.Gideon plans to build a spectacular sand castle and doesn't want his little sister, Audrey, to help. Hurt, she goes off with their parents and Gideon gets to work, but his attempts are thwarted when volleyball players, a kite, and the incoming tide, among other things, wreck his solo works in progress. Finally, he finds a secluded part of the beach and builds the castle of his dreams. A multiracial crowd of beachgoers gathers to praise his creation, and Gideon is proud until he looks and sees Audrey with their parents. The castle they've built doesn't "have straight towers, level walls, or smooth sides," as Gideon's does, "but it did look like fun." Swallowing his pride, Gideon joins them to work on their castle, and generous little Audrey welcomes him despite his earlier rejection. The illustrations have a style that reveals Booth's animation roots, but shifts in perspective and varying degrees of background detail make use of the picture-book form. Gideon and Audrey are both children of color, with brown skin and brown hair. Their mother appears white with light skin, blue eyes, and straight, dark-blond hair, while their father has brown skin and dark hair like Gideon's.A sunny ending for a mild sibling-rivalry story. (Picture book. 3-6)

PreS-Gr 1 Every summer, Gideon and his family visit the beach for some fun. On this particular trip though, this glory-seeking boy has decided that he would rather build a sandcastle without his sister. Carefully, he crafts his sculpture, then, just as he finishes, some people crash into it. Further attempts are also met with disaster, which prompts him to find a more secluded location. Finally, Gideon is able to create a masterpiece so grand that other beachgoers are drawn to it. Even though the crowds sing his praises, the boy feels lonely, and decides to rejoin his family. The sentiment that "building is most fun when done with others" should resonate with many children. Booth's illustrations fit the content and tone quite well. The art is brightly colored, rendered in an animation style, and overall showcases the creator's understanding of visual media. While the writing is not quite as polished, the images and message make up for it. VERDICT A good summertime read for the whole family to enjoy together. Suitable for storytime or one-on-one vacation sharing. Rachel Forbes, Oakville Public Library, Ont.