The boy on the beach - Niki Daly

It's a scorching hot day so Joe and his parents take a trip to the seaside. Joe runs about in the sand, jumps the odd wave, and finds a deserted old boat to play on. But when he falls from the boat after playing a little too zealously, Joe feels very alone and lost. After he cries out for help a lifeguard comes along to take Joe back to where his parents are waiting and very pleased to see him safe and sound.

This is a very reassuring story illustrated beautifully in watercolour, which brings fully to life the smells and sounds and textures of a family outing by the sea.