You will find me where the land meets the sea. I am wet and salty. I am home to birds all year, and still more are visitors. Each day, ocean tides fill and empty me. I am a saltmarsh wetland.
This book informs us all about what is and what surrounds the saltwater wetland. We learn about water. It evaporates from the ground to the air leaving the salt behind. That water is taken in by plant roots and released back into the air through its leaves. Then there is wind, squalling and crashing waves, blowing across the saltmarsh. Sunlight is warm and bright. The warmth helps the saltmarsh glow.
Plants like the tiny beaded glasswort cling to the edges of the marsh. It can survive many hours submerged in water. As these plants die, they turn into soil for new ones to grow from. So many birds live in the saltmarsh and minute animals also make it their home: fingerling fish and crabs hide in the saltmarsh.
This is a thoughtful book, gently introducing us to those things that shape and live in the saltmarsh. You realise what a diverse range of animals live in these areas and how important they are to our environment overall, although often destroyed through development.
In the back of Secrets of the Saltmarsh is more detailed information about saltmarsh wetlands. Why they are important as carbon storage and home for so many living things. Great for home and the library.
Reviewed by Jane Stephens
Age Guide 5+
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
ABOUT THE AUTHORClaire Saxby writes award-winning fiction, non-fiction and poetry for young people. Her work is published in Australia and internationally.
Recent books include Haywire (historical novel), Kookaburra (picture book with Tannya Harricks), Aussie Stem Stars: Georgia Ward Fear (biography), Iceberg (picture book with Jess Racklyeft), Treasure! (picture book with Tull Suwannakit) and Great White Shark (picture book with Cindy Lane).
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