In the Bat, Cat & Rat series' third outing, following the Geisel Award–winning Vacation (2024), the roommates cool off on a sweaty day by heading to the beach. Three-and-a-half short chapters chart their adventures in the sun and sand. Mishaps plague the pals at every step of their journey. After gathering their beach gear—Bat has a hat, Cat carries piles of books, and pack rat Rat is laden down with several bulging bags and a kite (with a striking resemblance to the googly-eyed visage of Bat)—they miss their bus. Arriving at their destination, Bat offers food to hungry seagulls and almost ends up as the greedy birds’ snack of choice. When Rat’s kite goes missing, Bat’s kind offer to be a stand-in is an idea that soars. The simple, spare text has lots of repetition and read-aloud charm galore. Teague’s expressive acrylic cartoon illustrations are packed with comical details. Beginning readers will delight in the friends’ funny antics.

— Linda Ludke