The Tide Pool Waits, written by Candace Fleming and illustrated by Amy Hevron. Neal Porter Books, Holiday House, Penguin Random House. 2022. $24.99 ages 4 and up

 

"The barnacles open their shells and 
sweep in food with their feathery feet, 
Time to eat. 

The sea star creeps across the rocks.
Time to hunt. 

The octopus glides to the surface. 
Time to return to the open sea."

A funny thing happened one day last week. My granddaughter and her kindergarten classmates went on a field trip to Sooke Bluffs Park where they found crabs galore. Some were on the sand, some under rocks, and some in the tide pools created there. When I told her that I had received this new book that very day she was pretty pumped. She also thought she would like to have a copy if I could send it, please. Her birthday is only a month away. The book list is begun! 

All along the Pacific coast, beach explorers are sure to come upon these tide pools. I appreciate that the design of the book begins before children see the title page:

"The waves ... 

           C - R- 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."

What a splendid invitation for this informative book for young readers! From the start they know what happens to create a tide pool, and are ready to learn more about who waits for the ocean waves to return after the tide moves out. 

Ms. Fleming names many of the creatures found there in descriptive and apt language. The sun warms the pool and the sand when the tide is out, and many living things must find safe places to wait for the waves to return.Then, they can go about doing what is natural to them. There is action everywhere ... until the water recedes and the tide pool waits once more. 

Amy Hevron uses acrylic paint and pencil artwork to add context to the ocean environment. Her colorful images are filled with marine animals and their hiding places at high tide, and the slowly receding waters as the tide goes out. 

Backmatter includes An Illustrated Guide to This Tide Pool, showcasing the animals from the book. Also included are places that offer ways to explore the tide pools, and a cross-section that shows exactly where the various creatures live in the high, middle, and low tide zones.