Book excerpt: When Mr. and Mrs. Shineyshoes leave for the day, their dog Claude and his sock puppet sidekick, Sir Bobblysock, head out for a seaside vacation. From Alex T. Smith's hilariously illustrated early chapter book series. Claude and Sir Bobblysock hit the beach for some fun. But it doesn't out to be as peaceful and relaxing as they'd hoped for! They rescue a man from a shark, win a sandcastle-building competition, and hunt for pirate treasure. What a wonderful day! Quirky, delightfully odd, and positively surreal, Alex T. Smith's beloved Claude series promises fits of giggles for readers transitioning from picture books to chapter books. Two-color illustrations throughout.