Abbey the Cavi in Miami Beach
Lisa Balaam
While Mr. and Mrs. B. work through the day, their precocious puppy Abbey ventures around Miami Beach visiting her friends and experiencing the special lessons each one shares with her. Among the many lessons are: friendship, family, sharing, listening, forgiveness, appreciation, caution and danger, and thoughtfulness. Abbey’s adventure ultimately leads her to the water’s edge, where Carlos the Crab and Danny the Dolphin try to help Abbey secure a special surprise for Mr. B. Suddenly, a storm approaches, and Abbey must find her way back to her family before the wind and rain carry her away!
BookWire Review:
Packed with vibrant illustrations and cute rhyming text, Lisa Balaam’s Abbey the Cavi in Miami Beach! is sure to engage young readers with its adorable main character and adventurous plot.
The story follows Abbey, an inquisitive Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppy, as she embarks on an adventure while her owners, Mr. and Mrs. B., are at work. After a brief encounter with the “Boardwalk Boys,” a gang of wild cats who chase after rats, Abbey is off to the French Café for a baguette and a smile from shop owner Marie-Claire.
Throughout her day, Abbey runs into a cast of delightful characters such as Sandy the Seagull, who tries to warn Abbey of an impending storm; Danny the Dolphin, who helps Abbey catch a balloon she’s after; and Carlos the Crab, who gives Abbey a special gift. But Abbey’s perfect day comes to an abrupt halt when a storm blows ashore, and she struggles to make it home to her worried owners.
Children and readers of all ages will be captivated by Joe Palmisano’s lively illustrations that leap off the page. In addition to an engaging, rhyming storyline with just the right amount of tension for children, the story also teaches values such as love, friendship, sharing, and teamwork.
Balaam’s inspiration for the story is her very own Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppy named Abbey. Balaam explains: “This little puppy has brought so much joy to so may people in Miami Beach that I wanted to share her with the world.” To Lisa Balaam we say, “Thanks for sharing!”