Publisher Description

Returning to the beach cottage—a cottage named Scallop—where she has always celebrated her birthday is a special occasion for Alice Rice. Who will see the first dolphin this time The first pelican What will have changed Stayed the same And will this be the year she finally finds a junonia shellAlice's friends are all returning, too. And she's certain her parents have the best party planned for her. Alice can't wait. If Alice is lucky, everything will be absolutely perfect. Will Alice be lucky

Back Cover

Returning to the beach cottage--a cottage named Scallop--where she has always celebrated her birthday is a special occasion for Alice Rice. Who will see the first dolphin this time? The first pelican? What will have changed? Stayed the same? And will this be the year she finally finds a junonia shell? Alice's friends are all returning, too. And she's certain her parents have the best party planned for her. Alice can't wait. If Alice is lucky, everything will be absolutely perfect. Will Alice be lucky?

Author Biography

Kevin Henkes has been praised both as a writer and as an illustrator and is the recipient of the Children's Literature Legacy Award for his lasting contribution to literature for children. He received the Caldecott Medal for Kitten's First Full Moon; Caldecott Honors for Waiting and Owen; two Newbery Honors-one for Olive's Ocean and one for The Year of Billy Miller-and Geisel Honors for Waiting and Penny and Her Marble. His other books include Sun Flower Lion, A Parade of Elephants, Chrysanthemum, and the beloved Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse. Kevin Henkes lives with his family in a house in Madison, Wisconsin.

Review

"Henkes knows that Alice, like many girls her age, carries plenty of things in her mind-and her heart-that she seldom speaks of. She mulls them over privately, and in Henkes's hands, eloquently." -- New York Times "Very few writers have such a keen understanding of the emotional lives of children; here Henkes is at the top of his game." -- Kirkus Reviews (starred review) "In this introspective story about a child's search for a rare shell, Henkes again displays his ability to find profound meaning in ordinary events... Readers will empathize with Alice's frustrations and relish her moments of joy." -- Publishers Weekly (starred review) "With tender observations and sensory details, Henkes creates a memorable young individual whose arcadian growing up is authentic and pitch-perfect." -- Booklist (starred review) "Alice balances between familiarity and novelty, coziness and independence, self-centeredness and altruism-the balance beam of turning ten... A fully realized, respectful portrait of a childhood milestone." -- The Horn Book

Review Quote

"With tender observations and sensory details, Henkes creates a memorable young individual whose arcadian growing up is authentic and pitch-perfect."

Details