The Seaside Switch

by Kathleen V. Kudlinski

A follow-up to the popular The Sunset Switch, The Seaside Switch artfully investigates the high-tide and low-tide cycle of the ocean's shore. This innovative picture book concept focuses on how the tides affect different sea and sand creatures. As the tide rolls up the shore, each takes its moment in the spotlight. From gulls feasting at low tide, to mussels opening to eat at high tide, The Seaside Switch is a beautiful cycle of taking turns. Throughout it all, a curious little boy pokes, prods, investigates, and sketches the wonders he sees. The book is also a celebration of senses, as sight, sound, scent, touch, and taste are all engaged in various passages of the text. The sun's and moon's roles in the changing of the tides is subtly touched upon in the text, without heavy scientific explanations. The simple refrain, pulled by the moon and sun introduces and reinforces this planetary connection to the young audience.

Genres: Picture Books, Animals, Childrens, Nonfiction

32 pages, Hardcover

First published May 1, 2007

About the author

Kathleen Kudlinski is the author of 40 children’s books. Her works range from picture books to the YA level and include natural history, biographies and historical novels.
When not writing, she is a popular speaker and writing instructor. Building on a BS in Biology and six years of classroom teaching experience, Kathleen later trained as a “Master Teaching Artist” with the Connecticut Commission on the Arts as well as presenting at regional and national conferences. Now she eagerly Skypes with classroom, book-, and home-school groups, world-wide.

In her spare time, she paints and leads several SCBWI (Society of Childrens Book Writers and Illustrators) critique groups, and teaches writing for children.

She writes at home beside a deep, wild lake in Guilford CT or at her woodland cabin in Weathersfield, VT with a a rescue macaw clinging to her shoulder and a pitbull warming her feet.

Reviews

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful book about tides!!!

[Kris Dersch · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a sweet little surprise...wasn't sure what this book was gonna be but it was great...little verses on the response of the flora and fauna to the tides.

[S · Rating 3 out of 5]

Looking at tides, tide pools, and the switching of high/low tide.

[Amanda Harris · Rating 3 out of 5]

When I saw the cover of this book, it made me want to pick it up! The cover art and the illustrations inside are wonderful...much better than the content of the book. It reads like a poem, written in verse and has about 1 stanza per page. It did talk about the pull that the sun and moon have on the waves and the high and low tide, and lots of different sea ceatures...but over all, I didn't feel that it had much substance to be considered a non-fiction book, but I think it could be a fun picture book.

I would recommend to families who are going to the beach or love the ocean, you'll probably read it once and then won't pick it up again after that. 2 thumbs up to Burnett for her illustrations, however, I won't be giving Kudlinski the same.

[Matthew · Rating 4 out of 5]

I could use this to teach a number of different writing techniques and crafts and I could bring it into a science class just as easily. It's a really versatile book. Well worth it to bring this into your collection.

[Erin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very poetic way of telling about what goes on at the beach from low tide to high tide and back to low tide again. I wish I liked the words and illustrations better. I really like the concept.

Some might like it for preschool storytimes.

[Andrew · Rating 2 out of 5]

it was ok