At the seashore . . . High tide rushes in to fill a sandy basin with water. At first glance, it may seem like an ordinary puddle. But look again. Do you spy the ochre sea star or the tentacles of the giant green anemones? Look even closer. Now can you see the hermit crabs and turban snails, the barnacles and periwinkles? In lyrical prose, Barbara Brenner reveals the fascinating happenings in one small place. She explains the recurring formation of tide pools and the remarkable interdependence of their creatures. Tom Leonard's brilliant illustrations take you underwater to a secret world. His detailed, lifelike depictions of sculpins and mussels, algae and seaweed, show the splendor that dwells in the most unexpected places. So stop. Observe. Explore your natural world. If you look closely enough, you will surely find . . . one small place that is home for many things. Distributed by Syndetic Solutions, Inc.

K-Gr 3-Brenner leads children on ecological explorations of two environments, a tide pool and a hole in a tree. As the tide ebbs and flows and as the scratch in the bark of an oak grows and is gradually transformed into a hollow space, the animals that live in these places are revealed. Although a youngster is shown investigating each of these two habitats, the author utilizes an active second-person voice that successfully transforms readers into participants. Leonard's scientifically accurate, realistic paintings complement the poetic prose. The brightly colored full- and double-page illustrations display large, clear images of the creatures as well as detailed glimpses of their surroundings. Both of these selections are excellent choices to share with young naturalists, whether at home, in the classroom, or during a storytime romp through the great outdoors. For a fun follow-up trek, try Wendy Pfeffer's A Log's Life (S & S, 1997).-Jenna Miller, Alachua County Library District, Gainesville, FL Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information. From: Reed Elsevier Inc. Copyright Reed Business Information

Reviewed with Barbara Brenner's One Small Place in a Tree0 . Gr. 2-4. These companion books offer a glimpse of nature in action by zeroing in on "one small place" teeming with living things. By the Sea0 takes an up-close look at a tide pool, briefly describing the timing of the tides and how the changes affect tide pool inhabitants, while giving a more in-depth explanation of the complex interdependence of the plants and animals in their unique environment. In One Small Place0 , a bear uses a tree as a scratching post, thus beginning the chain of events that leads to a large hole that becomes home to a variety of forest animals. Brenner makes the science enjoyable and understandable, and Leonard's highly detailed, realistic illustrations provide great visual aid. These attractive volumes will nicely complement a science unit on ecology. --Lauren Peterson Copyright 2004 Booklist From: Syndetics Solutions, Inc. Distributed by Syndetic Solutions, Inc.