I'm a big fan of young sister duet Lennon & Maisy (thanks to Jen Brabander*, for introducing me to their YouTube videos!), so I was intrigued to see their new picture book In the Waves (HarperCollins, April 2015) come in.

Illustrated with warm ink-and-watercolor art by Steve Björkman, the book is based on Lennon & Maisy's original children's song of the same title. The illustrations are full of personality and sisterly affection. The text builds to a funny twist ending that manages to come as a surprise even while being perfectly in keeping with the chorus: "Just use your imagination / You can have a dream vacation / In the waves, in the water." In the Waves will be included in the Fall 2015 Horn Book Guide coming out in October, so keep your eyes open for the review.

Both book and song are all about fun at the beach — a good bet for reading or listening with your kids on your own outdoor adventures. The song is also ridiculously catchy. Here's the super-cute music video.

Hope you're enjoying these last warm days (in the waves, in the water...)!

 

*Jen also introduced the office to the adorable Marcel the Shell with Shoes On videos, which later became a picture book too. Trendspotter!