In their newest book, the two canine buddies fly to an island, where each experiences the beach in his own way. Ted sits in the shade, Fred sits in the sun. Ted hits the volleyball, Fred misses it, and so on, until the rising tide sends them running to their planes. Amiable cartoon illustrations make the simple text even more accessible.

Eastman's second beginning reader based on characters created by his father, P.D. Eastman, is as successful as the early works. The language is mildly challenging and gratifying, its lilt musical yet never sing-songy. The text easily probes parallels and opposites. When it's silly—Fred lands his plane in a palm tree, for instance—it is an enjoyable brand of silliness, rather than inanity. The characters are drawn right to the edge of sweetness but stop before they become icky. Then again, the architecture of the book is now so sound, the seams of its intentions so tight, that little oxygen makes it into the proceedings. There's fun in these pages, but it is closely monitored. And while the book positively radiates its encouragement to read, some kids—maybe those who need encouragement most—are sure to smell a rat, albeit a clean, dapper, well-behaved rat. (Early reader. 5-8)