3 ans ( )

Originally published in France as Rita et Machin à la plage, this second picture-book detailing the adventures of a strong-willed young girl and her canine companion follows Rita and Whatsit through their day at the shore. As Rita marches onto the beach, followed by a seemingly disconsolate Whatsit (who is lugging both raft and umbrella), the text reads: "Rita loves the beach. Whatsit the dog doesn't like it quite so much." But Whatsit isn't the sort of dog to just accept this state of affairs - he has his own ideas about fun - and a hilarious back-and-forth day begins...

I think that if I had not read this second installment shortly after the initial Rita and Whatsit, I might not have taken the characters so much to heart. Although the story has undeniable charm, Rita is a somewhat unappealing figure in that first title. It is only here, in Rita and Whatsit at the Beach, that the reader sees that Whatsit can hold his own, and that Arrou-Vignod's series is really about the give and take of friendship. Olivier Tallec's simple pencil illustrations, with red embellishments, emphasize the humor and fun of the narrative.

I was just commenting the other day, in connection with a conversation about a Swedish children's book, that it is good to see a wide, international array of books made available to young readers, as I believe it broadens their aesthetic and cultural horizons, while also emphasizing worldwide commonalities. With that in mind, I am especially glad that Jean-Philippe Arrou-Vignod's delightful new series is being sold here in the US. ( )