Big Family Beach Day

Kirkus Best Book

"The love that binds this family together is as warm as the summer sun." —Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

An extended family enjoys a day at the beach in this intergenerational tribute to family, friendship, new experiences, and summertime fun by the acclaimed author-artist Nina Crews. A fresh take on Cynthia Rylant’s classic, The Relatives Came.

Every summer, Maya goes to the beach with her mom, grandma, aunts, uncles, and cousins. There are a lot of them. It’s a big family beach day! Full of sand, sun, splashing, sandwiches, swimming, and (of course) sunblock, Maya loves every moment of it.

Inspired by her own childhood and extended family reunions, Big Family Beach Day is Nina Crews’s celebration of summertime fun, friendship, family, and love. With her rich, vibrant art and accessible, read-aloud text, Nina Crews captures the joys of a memorable summer day with family.

“What could be better than a family day at the beach? . . . Maya’s sentences are like the day itself: full of family and excitement, breathlessly racing from sand to surf and back. Crews’ story and art take place entirely in double-page spreads that mostly teem with Maya’s relations, a boisterous, multi-racial and -generational crew. . . . The love that binds this family together is as warm as the summer sun. . . . Pure joy.” - Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

“Crews pays homage to fond families and beatific beach days in this busy slice-of-life picture book. . . . Feelings of autonomy, belonging, and camaraderie pervade the pages. . . . Vividly peopled beach landscapes packed with lively details capture the warm, inviting atmosphere of the day.” - Publishers Weekly

“The digitally drawn illustrations portray a biracial extended family enjoying their beloved summer beach day. Their emotions are evident in the art, while Maya’s narrative focuses on her experiences. Anyone who remembers family outings at the beach will delight in seeing this picture book celebrate such similar, timeless activities.” - Booklist (starred review)

“Crews skillfully captures the atmosphere of a bustling family gathering. . . . The illustrations beautifully showcase both active moments and quieter instances of togetherness. . . . Celebrates the enduring warmth and timeless magic of summer days spent together.” - Horn Book Magazine