This informative and appealing nonfiction picture book gives young readers a detailed look at the tide-pool ecology of the Pacific Coast, the "astonishing world" of creatures that wait in seawater collected among rocks on the shore until the next high tide. The text begins before the title-page spread, as ocean waves slap onto the shore and then retreat; Fleming captures the ocean's movement with drama (the waves "CR-A-A-A-A-SH" and then "cr-e-e-e-e-p out"). After the water pools, mussels, snails, chitons, an octopus, and others wait patiently until the "pool is part of the sea once more." Just as the sea "brim[s] with life," the text is filled with vivid and descriptive action verbs: sea anemones "bloom," waves "sweep," the octopus "glides," a rock crab "scoots," and more. Fleming's expertly paced text rolls much like the "restless" wave on the shore; the repetition of "They wait" in the first half builds anticipation as the story slowly unfolds. Hevron's textured illustrations invite close inspection; her depiction of the animals when they return to the ocean is especially inviting as the undersea world fills with color and movement. Her shapes are simple; her compositions, unfussy. Ample back matter provides information on how these creatures survive the low tide. Julie Danielson March/April 2022 p.(c) Copyright 2022. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Fleming's examination of a liminal natural world starts before the title page: waves "cr-e-e-e-e-p" back from a shoreline, stranding creatures in pools of seawater until high tide returns. Using acrylic paint and pencil, Hevron drafts flat, graphic shapes in milky shades to show the sea creatures of the intertidal zone suspending animation in and around warming pools: "Beds of mussels close up tight, too./ So do turban snails./ And limpets./ And chitons./ They wait." The mechanism of tidal action itself is explained only vaguely ("the pull of the moon,/ the turn of the earth"). Instead, in lyrical lines that play with sound, Fleming concentrates on the hush of low tide, and the action that erupts when the ocean returns ("CR-A-A-A-A-SH!") and the creatures begin to feed and to swim. Onomatopoeic text and clear images together convey the phenomenon of the tide pool clearly to even landlocked readers. Back matter provides an illustrated guide to a Pacific Coast tide pool. Ages 4--8. (Apr.)

K-Gr 2--Waves crash on shore and then recede, and in their wake a tide pool is formed. It is filled with wondrous creatures including barnacles, crabs, opaleyes, sea star, sculpin, octopus and more. Soon "the sea can't resist the pull of the moon, the turn of the earth, the sun and the wind" and the waves "sweep towards shore." As the tide pool once again become a part of the ocean, even more remarkable creatures can be seen, such as sea anemones, shrimp, and tubeworms, and the cycle is repeated. Fleming makes great use of action verbs, engaging descriptions, and just the right amount of repetition to draw readers into the tide pool and hold their interest. The dynamic text placement helps reinforce the movement of the ocean, while Hevron's illustrations give life to the words and with every graceful overlay of line and wash, effectively depict the creatures and the ocean itself. The focus is on nature; humans are neither mentioned, seen, nor relevant. The back matter contains an illustrated guide to the creatures plus "Let's Explore" and "Where Do They Live?" sections. VERDICT This narrative nonfiction on Pacific Coast tide pools is a great read-aloud with text spacing and other cues to provide drama, a perfect accompaniment for the dramatic activity in the tide pool itself.--Catherine Callegari

The waves CR-A-A-A-A-SH in. / And then cr-e-e-e-e-p out. / Swish, gurgle, trickle, drip-drip-drop. / Seawater collects between the rocks. And quiet settles over the shore. And . . . / The tide pool waits." Using lyrical language that appeals to the senses, Fleming introduces these Pacific Coast intertidal-zone features, explaining how they form, what creatures are found there (barnacles, mussels, snails, limpets, opaleyes, octopuses, and sculpin), and how sea life adapts to these temporary abodes. These animals are most active (eating, hunting, exploring) during high tides when they are fully submerged and free to move about; those caught in tide pools during low tides must wait for the next high tide to break free. Seattle-based illustrator Hevron's artwork, rendered in acrylic paint and pencil, employs a colorful palette to depict this dynamic ecosystem. Her stylized creatures appear in minimal detail with shape and hue employed as distinguishing features. This is particularly effective in the back matter, which offers additional information about each creature and the layers of the intertidal zone, enabling readers to easily identify and distinguish among black mussels, purple sea urchins, green and white barnacles, and more. The result is a pleasing and painterly portrait of the intertidal zone, fairly bursting with color. A perfect introduction to these amazing rock pools, appropriate for primary science lessons and curious beach-goers alike.

What can you find in a tide pool? The author of the Sibert Medal--winning picture book Honeybee: The Busy Life of Apis Mellifera (2020) introduces young readers to the delights and wonders of a Pacific coastal tide pool. Intriguingly, the story begins before the frontmatter--introductory text and illustrations portraying a tidal cycle lead to, and then seamlessly incorporate, the book's title page. Fleming names some of the creatures who wait in the tide pool for the ocean waves to return: "clusters of barnacles," "beds of mussels," "patches of sponge," and sundry other invertebrates as well as fish. Descriptive verbs abound: a kelp crab "idles"; a rock crab "scoots." At high tide, "everything is busy. / All brim with life," until the water recedes and quiet returns. Hevron's harmonious acrylic paint--and-pencil illustrations perfectly pair with Fleming's gentle, lyrical text. The marine creatures are clearly depicted, stylized but recognizable. The octopus and sea cucumber hiding under rocks at low tide are out and about in the water during high tide. The backmatter includes an illustrated guide to the species shown throughout the artwork--offering the opportunity for a seek-and-find--and an annotated diagram showing their habitats. (This book was reviewed digitally.) A delightful look at a unique aquatic environment that will nourish children's natural sense of wonder. (resources) (Informational picture book. 4-8) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.