Today is beach day, and one brown-skinned boy is packed, dressed, and waking his dad at 4 a.m., ready to go. Brimming with energy and excitement, he chatters the whole way there. His mood takes an abrupt dive, though, when he sees how “busy” and “loud” the beach is. The sand doesn’t feel good in his boots or in his bathing suit. It’s all over his toy shark, and worst of all, it’s hot! Suddenly, he just wants to go home. His dad knows what to do: “Take a deep breath and give Sharkie a squeeze. Now tap your fingers and count to three.” Although the sounds threaten to overwhelm him, the boy and his dad persist, counting and tapping until he feels better. With encouraging words (“You are so brave”) his dad eases the boy into a day of fun activities accompanied by beach sounds—and now, it’s not so overwhelming. An installment in the Little Senses series, this relatable book intended for children on the autism spectrum or with sensory processing disorders will resonate with anyone who has ever experienced the discomfort of sensory overload. (Ages 3–7)

Patience, understanding, and a soothing exercise saves the beach day when excitement turns to sensory overload.

Going to the beach is exciting. But it can also be busy. And loud. Sand can feel hot or itchy or sticky...and it gets everywhere! In This Beach Is Loud!, a sensitive boy gets overwhelmed by all the sights, sounds, and sensations at the beach. Luckily, this kiddo's dad has a trick up his sleeve to help his son face these unexpected obstacles.

Combining accessible storytelling and playful design, This Beach Is Loud! gently offers practical advice for coping with new experiences to sensitive children on and off the autism spectrum.