Product Description

Mrs Armitage arrives on the beach with her surf board and her faithful dog, Breakspear and paddles out to sea to wait for the big wave. However, she has to return to the beach several times before she is comfortably equipped.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #252583 in Books
• Published on: 1999-05-18
• Released on: 1999-05-18
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 32 pages

From School Library Journal
PreSchool-Grade 3AA riotous day ensues as Mrs. Armitage and her little dog go surfing. Waiting for the big wave is boring, hot, and maybe even dangerous so the woman makes frequent trips to shore for a float, sun hats, burgers and dog biscuits, a windsock, flags, a horn, and a spear (in case of sharks). Finally the big wave comesAbut Mrs. Armitage spots a little girl in trouble. Of course, the resourceful surfer manages to snag the girl's swimsuit, rescue her, and get a great ride. After a celebration, its time for another go. Blake's exuberant, detailed, and comical watercolors fill this surfing adventure with fun. A lively choice for a summer storytime, this is a laugh-aloud tale for intergenerational sharingAeven for those who won't be catching waves themselves.AAnne Connor, Los Angeles Public Library
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist
Ages 4^-7. After arriving at the beach with a surfboard, Mrs. Armitage and her dog, Breakspear, swim out and wait for the Big Wave. But Breakspear's legs get tired paddling, so Mrs. Armitage swims back to shore to buy him an inflatable island. After more waiting, she decides that they need a hat and an umbrella for protection against the sun, so she swims back to get them. More trips are needed to procure a good stock of provisions, a wind sock, a string of flags, a horn, and a megaphone. When the Big Wave finally comes, they ride it in style and rescue a little girl named Miranda on their way to shore. The sunlit colors of Blake's palette, the carefree informality of his ink drawings, and the mannered formality of Mrs. Armitage's speech make this a treat to read aloud. Children will want to stop and savor the double-page spread showing the wonderful, impossible, inevitable triumph of Mrs. Armitage, Breakspear, and Miranda as they do the Waikiki flip under the curl of the Big Wave. Pair this with M. K. Brown's Let's Go Swimming with Mr. Sillypants (1992) for a wacky story hour. Carolyn Phelan

From Kirkus Reviews
Surf's up and Mrs. Armitage is ready to do the California slither, Bali swerve, and Waikiki flip. All she seems to need is the perfect wave, as well as some snacks, a windsock, a float, and a megaphone, among other things. She gets a real work-out as she swims to shore each time to gather the items she and her loyal dog will need for the Big Wave. Readers gladly go along for the trip: The resourceful heroine brings spunky, funky fun to a simple day at the beach. Blake, in a gleeful mode, flaunts his signature wackiness in an avid display of Mrs. Armitage's kitschy taste and ingenuitythe megaphone is for flirting, of course. The anticipation has a payoff, too, as Mrs. Armitage puts her clutter to work to aid a helpless swimmer. The heroine's no-sweat attitude, along with Blake's humorous details, are the perfect combination for beach blanket fun. (Picture book. 4-8) -- Copyright ©1998, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

Customer Reviews

Mrs. Armitage and the Big Wave
A great story that my 2 1/2 daughter LOVES. She can virtually recite the entire book and really enjoys the characters. Breakspear is a great addition too, especially when he's towed behind her long board!

My kids can't wait to see what will happen next!
This book cleverly builds suspense and fun with each page. Ms. Armitage is not your stereotypical surfer by any means, and the more unusual she becomes, the more you like her. The illustrations are delightful, too.