Review by Booklist Review
Cora and Shelly live at the beach. After school, they go to their homes, change into their bathing suits, and meet by the shore. They've had plenty of experience building sandcastles--it takes good tools, patience, and a sense of humor to master that skill, and it helps when your best friend lives next door. One day, Shelly tells Cora that she's moving to her mother's home in the city. Feeling rejected and confused, Cora reacts by damaging their current sandcastle. After three days of avoiding Shelly, and a brief but helpful talk with her mother, Cora joins Shelly on the beach and tells her that she'll miss her. Fortunately, some folks who have mastered sandcastle construction are good at building friendships and mending them, too. Peterson tells a realistic story in which the girls' feelings about Shelly's upcoming move initially drive them apart, but they learn to cope with the change and maintain their friendship. The simply drawn digital illustrations make good use of the seaside setting while expressing the girls' emotions with clarity and warmth.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
Sand castles don't last long, but true friendship does. Every day is a beach day for Cora and Shelly, two besties who live on the shore. After school, they suit up and head to the beach to build elaborate sand castles. Their constructions require "the right tools…loads of patience, and a good sense of humor." Oh, and readiness to rebuild. But friendships, like sands, shift. One day, Shelly excitedly announces that she's moving to the city to live with her mom. To Cora, it sounds like Shelly won't miss anything--not even Cora. Over the next few days, Cora declines Shelly's invitations to meet. Cora confides in supportive Mama, who explains that friendships resemble sand castles: "With the right tools--and some rebuilding--who's to say they can't last forever? The pals reassert their powerful bond and, even when they're eventually separated, discover they have "the right tools" (stationery), "loads of patience" as they wait for the mail, and a "good sense of humor." The best tool? They're willing to rebuild. Kids should understand the sand castle--friendship metaphor in this sweet story. They'll root for these pals and feel heartened at their ability to forge a lasting bond. The colorful digital illustrations are lively, and readers will admire the sand castles. Dark-haired Cora appears to be East Asian, while blond Shelley presents white. Building friendships takes time and effort, but it's fun and worth it. So is this book. (Picture book. 4-7) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
