Fun in the sun: Jack and Mia at the beach by Dr. Annika Smith. Illus. by Lara Porter

This book was written by a dermatoligist Dr Annika Smith and is aimed at providing information to young kids about sun safety. The story follows two siblings Jack and Mia, who are going for an outing at the beach. We watch them get ready to go, taking all the necessary steps to be sun safe including hats, sunglasses, long sleeves and of course sunscreen. The story also has a warning for sun burn when they see their poor friends all red and upset on the beach. 

I like the rhyme of the story, which I feel will entice and engage very young children, along with the happy and bright illustrations by Lara Porter. 

Fun in the sun is also a good resource for parents as at the beginning there is a page with melanoma information and statistics (all written quite clearly and without to much heaviness) and at the back there is a simple 5 point list that can be used as a conversation starter with kids or as a tick off style list when going out in the sun. 

This would also be a great book for children who do not like applying sunscreen, as the text is easy to understand and children from about 7 to 8 years of age would be able to read it themselves, hopefully taking in the importance of sun safety.

Themes: Beach, Siblings, Sun safety.

Lauren Fountain