Lobster's Vacation: Greetings from the Coast

Written by Michelle Robinson

Illustrated by Paul G. Hammond

Nimbus Publishing

978-1-77471-280-1

24 pp.

Ages 3-7

June 2024

 

Enjoying his ocean life with buddies Crab, Starfish and Whale, Lobster is shocked to be caught and transported to a chef's kitchen. But he's having none of it, jumping from the hot pot and making a run for it. It's time for him to get a break and take a vacation.

From Lobster's Vacation, written by Michelle Robinson, illustrated by Paul G. Hammond

So, amidst all the tourists and locals, some with maps and cameras, others with dogs and their binoculars, Lobster takes off. His first stop is for a tartan cap and ice cream on the waterfront. Then he's onto a tour bus and seeing all the sights from the wrought iron gates at Halifax Public Gardens National Historic Site to a harbour bridge and the Viola Desmond ferry. 

From Lobster's Vacation, written by Michelle Robinson, illustrated by Paul G. Hammond

In the country, Lobster shares a campfire and some music with woodland animals. When the leaves start to change, there's berries to pick and hiking. But, as for most of us, Lobster's vacation becomes tiring, and he longs to see his friends.

Lobster's heading homeward.

So long, sandy shore!

 

Back home with his buddies

on the ocean floor.

At a time when many families are visiting Nova Scotia and other parts of Atlantic Canada for their summer holidays, Michelle Robinson has given them a picture book to take along and feed their travels. If you're fortunate enough to be in Halifax and environs, you may be able to pick out the very ice cream shop where Lobster gets his double scoop or the tartan shop. You'll certainly be able to watch popular kite flying and even board the Viola Desmond ferry. Lobster certainly sees all the sights, both touristy and local faves, but Michelle Robinson still gets Lobster home, and with a cheeky postcard to the fishermen who caught him in the first place.

From Lobster's Vacation, written by Michelle Robinson, illustrated by Paul G. Hammond

Paul G. Hammond, also a creator from Halifax like Michelle Robinson, makes Lobster's adventures whimsical and postcard-ready. Every illustration is like a cartoon of a photo from a vacation, showing a smiling Lobster enjoying the sights of Nova Scotia and the company of others. Bold, bright colours, fabulous lines and shapes and text (within the art) makes for a flashy adventure for Lobster and for the readers who get to travel with him.

If you're lucky enough to be visiting the East Coast this summer or another, take along a copy of Lobster's Vacation. Use it as a child's guide to Halifax and area. The kids will love the rhyming story, and especially Lobster's escape from the cooking pot, and will be able to read it for themselves soon enough. And if a trip to Nova Scotia cannot be on your schedule, visit it vicariously through Lobster's Vacation. It's just like being there.