Once Upon a Tide    by Tony Mitton & Selina Young Order:  USA  Can David Fickling Books, 2006 (2006) Hardcover      Reviewed by Hilary Williamson Did you play let's pretend games as a child with friend or siblings? We did often, and Once Upon a Tide brought them to my mind. Tony Mitton tells the story in verse of two children's journey into the imagination, beginning 'Down by the seashore / Bess and I / stood on the sand / and looked at the sky.' Selina Young's watercolor illustrations convey the ambience - the pulse of the ocean, a salty tang in the air, and echoing cries of seagulls. The children (boy and girl) build a boat, stitch a red sail, take a tea break, and buy compass and chart from Captain Bart ... 'We launched our boat / as the tide went out. / We both gave a wave / and Bart gave a shout.' Then they 'sailed to the place / where sea meets sky'. They befriended a whale, dug up treasure on a small island, escaped pirates (the whale helped), and sailed home. It's great fun, and easy to imagine these two kids having such fun 'telling stories / side by side, "Down by the seashore / once upon a tide ..."'. Read this one together with children on your next seaside vacation. Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more Kids books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews