As Sam and Crystal explore the coast with Uncle Charlie, Aunt Kate, Ada, and Grandfather Sculpin they come to understand the interconnectedness of all things through food gathering, food preparation, and giving thanks to the salmon. Throughout the story, the children receive teachings about the importance of respecting and making wise decisions about the ocean and our plant and animal family.

Gloria Snively’s beautiful book fires up the imagination and makes learning fun and effortless.

Explore the Rocky Shore continues the adventures [of Sam and Crystal] with a salmon fishing trip followed by the children’s explorations in the remaining tidal zones – Middle Tide Zone and Low Tide Zone. Since the tide remains too high during their visit for casual observations, they are magically transformed into sculpins and led by Grandfather Sculpin, an ancient one from the sea whom Indigenous elders respect for his wisdom about life at the seashore. They enjoy an underwater excursion with this “oldest and wisest of the sculpins” who has “a mind that can think like a fish and talk with people”. Sam and Crystal encounter more marine wonders and learn about their habitats and the interconnections in nature.

[R]ecommended for school and public libraries regardless of their proximity to the west coast. The text and illustrations are clear and both author and illustrator use a unique imaginative approach to the topic. The story could be read to class over an extended period as an adventure story and supplement to ecological studies. The illustrations could be used as an example for art classes. Although works of fiction the books contain a wealth of accessible facts.