cover image O Is for Oystercatcher: A Book of Seaside ABCs

O Is for Oystercatcher: A Book of Seaside ABCs

Barbara Patrizzi. Down the Shore Publishing, $16.95 (54pp) ISBN 978-1-59322-008-2

O Is for Oystercatcher: A Book of Seaside ABCs by newcomer Barbara Patrizzi focuses on coastal ecosystems. On each spread, simple compositions in a square block print present the creatures in their natural settings (dolphins leap above the water's surface; an egret holds a fish at the shoreline), opposite text superimposed over a large pastel capital letter. While lack of entries for X and Y may not leave readers happy as a quahog (""a clam by any other name""), the engaging writing helps. (Aug.) .