Emma Long Books

The front cover of this coastal-themed picturebook is very attractive, and the quality – of paper and binding – is immediately evident. It invites exploration and interaction too: the cover is slightly textured and some of the pages scalloped. The storyline is very simple and easy to follow, created using a repeated and progressive rhyme. There’s also a lovely reveal just before the end, which might well inspire others to follow in the girl’s footsteps and create their dragon from beautiful beachcombing finds.

Each illustrated spread, like any thriving rock pool, is worthy of close inspection. The tiny ‘handwritten’ annotations – a treasure trove of information for young nature enthusiasts – blend in so well that it is easy to miss them at first glance. Other details are hidden in plain sight too (what’s in those clouds on the penultimate page?), providing added delight for the keen-eyed reader. Children will likely warm to the busy pages immediately

. A book to be enjoyed at home, or alone in the book corner, rather than in a group, and one whose appeal will grow as successive children leaf through its pages and share the seaside treasure they’ve found.