On a family trip to the beach, Anna Hibiscus convinces her extended family to join her, splashing and laughing in the waves.

Like Anna Hibiscus’ Song (2011) and chapter books starring this irrepressible child, this celebrates Anna’s family and her home in “amazing Africa.” This beach trip starts on the front endpapers, where careful readers can pick out the boat that will carry her whole family through the title page and to a beach offshore. There, everyone happily finds things to do—read, braid each other’s hair, bury a cousin in the sand, play soccer, chat with the fishermen, compare smartphones. They’re all too busy to play in the waves with Anna. After being turned down by each group of family members (except for her napping grandparents), Anna goes to play with the waves on her own. Worried child readers (and adults) will quickly be relieved; Anna’s enjoyment of the gentle surf is infectious, and she’s soon surrounded by cousins, parents, aunts and uncles, and even the now wide-awake grandparents. Tobia’s joyous illustrations portray this extended family realistically in digitally colored drawings. Only Anna and her Canadian mother have actual bathing suits; the others happily plunge in in their street clothes. Everyone smiles; Anna is irresistible.

North American readers and listeners are likely to catch Anna’s enthusiasm just as quickly. (Picture book. 3-7)

Anna Hibiscus and her extended family enjoy an outing on a Nigerian beach. Anna is disappointed that no one will go in the water but in the end, they all have a great day at the beach. Students will get a wonderful view of an extended family. ( )

Anna Hibiscus goes to the beach with her extended family in this second of three picture-books devoted to her adventures - she is also the star of her own series of chapter-books - and urges all of her relatives to splash in the surf with her. At first they are all too busy doing other things, but as Anna cavorts in the playful waves, her family hear her laughter and join her, one by one...

Having greatly enjoyed all eight of the chapter-book devoted to Anna Hibiscus' adventures with her extended family in "Amazing Africa," I picked up Splash, Anna Hibiscus! with some anticipation. I was not disappointed, finding the writing adept and the story engaging, and the artwork appealing. Nigerian expatriate author Atinuke and English illustrator Lauren Tobia have done it again, creating a warm, engaging slice-of-life family story here. I will definitely be tracking down the other two Anna Hibiscus picture-books! Recommended to fans of the character, and to anyone seeking picture-books featuring family and/or the seashore, or set in Africa. ( )

The irrepressibly joyful Anna at the beach. ( )