Just a Shell . . . or Is It? (A Point-of-View Picture Book)

Author Becca McMurdie and Pura Belpré Honor Award–winning illustrator Paola Escobar explore the natural world with appreciation and empathy in this wildly imaginative, summer-themed picture book

A seashell is just a seashell . . . or is it? To a clam, it’s a door. To an octopus, it’s a shield. To a young child, it’s a treasure! A place to play or a home for critters, the beach can be so many things!

And there are so many other exciting things to find hidden in sand dunes and between waves—all it takes is a little shift in perspective.

Perfect for boardwalk strolls, lazy days on beach towels, or in a classroom or a playroom, Just a Shell . . . or Is It? promotes creative thinking and empathy for the world around us—and all of its inhabitants—teaching young readers that nothing in nature is “just” what it is, but so much more.

© 2026 Abrams Appleseed (Ebook): 9798887076287

Release date

Ebook: May 26, 2026