I learned new facts about seashore life from this nonfiction picture book. "Out of the water, the nudibranch looks like a ibt of unappetizing goo. Under water, this amazing little creature reveals its exotic looks, including two sense organs called rhinophores, and a tuft of gills." The language is rich and does not talk down to kids (or adults!). The repeating phrase - "If you lived where the sea was ... and then wasn't, you could ..." - emphasizes how the tides affect the marine creatures that live within its bounds. The author's sense of humor makes the learning fun. For example, with an illustration of a crab, she writes: "If you lived where the sea was and then wasn't, you could ... Run for it." Crabs are mobile enough "to catch up with the retreating tide." The "Story Behind the Story" at the end explains the tides in more detail. A wonderful book for budding marine biologists. ( )