Review Detail

For Max and his dog Scruffy it's just another day at the beach - until Max notices something out in the water, and then it's Scruffy to the rescue!

Watercolor illustrations are always a treat, and the pictures here capture the ocean's expanse so well. Beyond the waves, the bobbing sailboats and wave-splashed wind turbines and other little details add to the charm and delight.

The plot is on the lighter side, even for a picture book. I would have liked to see Max demonstrating particular cleverness or courage to aid in the rescue, but in the end everything is up to Scruffy and simple quick action. On the other hand, that is how situations come up in real life where emergencies don't wait for a poetic moment to strike, and this story captures that reality.

Overall, this simple story reminds us how important it is to act on instinct and always look out for one another.