{"id":1338702856271,"title":"Seashells","handle":"seashells-more-than-a-home","description":"\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan size=\"4\" style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003eSeashells\u003c\/span\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan size=\"3\" style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003eMore Than A Home\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER AUTHOR\/ILLUSTRATOR INFO BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBy \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.charlesbridge.com\/pages\/melissa-stewart\"\u003eMelissa Stewart\u003c\/a\u003e \/ Illustrated by \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.charlesbridge.com\/pages\/sarah-s-brannen\"\u003eSarah S. Brannen\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER HEADING BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eA collection of shells\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER DESCRIPTION BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eProlific, award-winning nonfiction author Melissa Stewart reveals the surprising ways seashells provide more than shelter to the mollusks that inhabit them. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYoung naturalists discover thirteen seashells in this elegant introduction to the remarkable versatility of shells. Dual-layered text highlights how shells provide more than a protective home in this expository nonfiction exploration. The informative secondary text underscores characteristics specific to each shell. Elegant watercolor illustrations create a scrapbook feel, depicting children from around the world observing and sketching seashells across shores.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER RECOMMENDATIONS BELOW - - - - - - - -- - - --\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"recommended-books\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIf you like this book, you’ll enjoy these:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.charlesbridge.com\/products\/feathers-not-just-for-flying\"\u003eFeathers: Not Just for Flying\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.charlesbridge.com\/products\/living-fossils\"\u003eLiving Fossils: Clues to the Past\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.charlesbridge.com\/products\/high-tide-for-horseshoe-crabs\"\u003eHigh Tide for Horseshoe Crabs\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - START OF TABS - - - - - - - -- - - --\u003e [TABS]\n\u003ch5\u003eLook Inside\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg class=\"cvr-border-gray\" style=\"display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/seashells-more-than-a-home-spread.jpg?2484213147865538285\"\u003e\u003c!-- Please call pinit.js only once per page --\u003e \u003cscript src=\"\/\/assets.pinterest.com\/js\/pinit.js\" data-pin-hover=\"true\" data-pin-height=\"32\" data-pin-shape=\"round\" defer async=\"\" type=\"text\/javascript\"\u003e\u003c\/script\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER AUTHOR BIO BELOW - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor \u0026amp; Illustrator\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMelissa Stewart, author\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMelissa Stewart is the award-winning author of more than one hundred and fifty science books for children, including \u003cem\u003eFeathers: Not Just for Flying; No Monkeys, No Chocolate;\u003c\/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eCan an Aardvark Bark?\u003c\/em\u003e (Beach Lane Books). She lives in Acton, Massachusetts. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/pages\/melissa-stewart\"\u003eRead more \u003c\/a\u003eabout Melissa Stewart.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - ENTER ILLUSTRATOR BIO BELOW - - - - - - - - - - - --\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSarah S. Brannen, illustrator\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSarah S. Brannen is the author and illustrator of \u003cem\u003eMadame Martine\u003c\/em\u003e (Albert Whitman), \u003cem\u003eUncle Bobby's Wedding\u003c\/em\u003e (G. P. Putnam and Sons), and the illustrator of \u003cem\u003eFeathers: Not Just for Flying; Digging for Troy: From Homer to Hisarlik;\u003c\/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eAt Home in Her Tomb: Lady Dai and the Ancient Chinese Treasures of Mawangdui.\u003c\/em\u003e She lives in Massachusetts. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/pages\/sarah-s-brannen\"\u003eRead more\u003c\/a\u003e about Sarah S. Brannen. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - ENTER AWARDS \u0026 HONORS BELOW - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAwards \u0026amp; Honors\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eComing soon!\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - ENTER REVIEWS BELOW - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEditorial Reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cimg src=\"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/star-fade.gif?4673889858015672850\"\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eBooklist\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e, starred review\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn this handsome companion volume to the ALA Notable book Feathers: Not Just for Flying (2014), Stewart and Brannen provide insights into why seashells vary so greatly in shape, size, and color. Beyond providing protection for aquatic animals, shells sometimes offer forms of locomotion, disguise, warnings, tools, and waste removal. A double-page spread on the nautilus opens, “Seashells can rise and sink like a submarine,” and explains that the animal creates vertical movement by pumping in or releasing water from its spiraled shell, which has chambers containing a lightweight gas. A marine-blue underwater scene features a close-up of a nautilus with a dark gray submarine visible in the distance, while a separate drawing of the nautilus shell points out its gas chambers and the movement of water. The large-print text that runs across the tops of the pages makes excellent use of similes, while short, clearly written paragraphs of pertinent information appear below the illustrations. From the book jacket to the typefaces to the layouts, the book’s design is inviting. The beautiful watercolor paintings work seamlessly with the text to clarify concepts, while keeping the book’s audience in mind. Suggesting new ways to think about seashells, this volume is highly recommended for science collections.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cb\u003eSchool Library Journal\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA well-researched addition to the ocean biome canon, Seashells is unique in that it pairs form with function. Both the text and illustrations present information that is easy to digest and understand. Introducing the concept that seashells come in various shapes and colors due to their different jobs, the author and illustrator then launch into examples such as the scallops that can flit like a butterfly. This is paired with an illustration of a butterfly, a diagram of a shell and how its movement mirrors a butterfly, the shell in its environment, and corresponding text. The language is not too informational or too -poetic; it is just the right amount of colorful and interesting. An appendix of sorts and additional resources are included. VERDICT A delightful addition to an elementary library's nonfiction collection.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cb\u003eBookPage\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn essential book for young beachcombers, Seashells: More Than a Home provides a fascinating overview of 13 kinds of shells. In her accessible text, author Melissa Stewart covers the form, function and native habitat of each shellfish, from the beautifully curved chambered nautilus and the heart-shaped cockle to the Atlantic bay scallop with its rows of fine ridges. Stewart uses analogies from everyday life to help readers understand how these “treasures from a secret world beneath the waves” house clams, snails, oysters and other creatures. Artist Sarah S. Brannen brings the narrative to life through watercolor scenes of boys and girls exploring the seashore and collecting specimens. Precise sketches and diagrams of the shells lend a naturalist feel to the proceedings. Suggestions for further reading and a listing of mollusk types round out the volume. This fun, fact-filled book will inspire up-and-coming collectors while equipping them with important information.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cb\u003eUnpacking the Power of Picture Books\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMelissa Stewart is one of the most entertaining and engaging authors of nonfiction, one I admit is a favorite. Even though she has a stack of awards to prove it, I strongly resist naming favorites among anything literary.\u003cb\u003e SEASHELLS: MORE THAN A HOME is a perfect example of the remarkable talent Stewart brings to the research, insights, and writing of science picture books. A nod goes to the illustrators with whom those words and content are paired, as in this case, Sarah S. Brannen.These two creators have been paired for other titles, including FEATHERS: NOT JUST FOR FLYING. In both visuals and text, the depth of science research is evident: endpapers, scientific labeling, simulated field notes, back matter sources, and further prompts. The tone of this book makes it a delight for read aloud for even the youngest. The flowing main narrative provides familiar comparisons of various shell adaptations to increase survival, and Stewart's figurative language provides a pattern for early language development. It is framed within a horizontal and watery display that soothes and refreshes. The parallel paragraphs of accessible but more detailed content and the accurate but soft-edged specimens are set in natural habitats that explain and expand the meaning of the lyrical lines that float across the top of each page.\u003cbr\u003e \"Seashells can wear disguises like a spy...\u003cbr\u003e or hide in plain sight like a soldier in camo clothing.\u003cbr\u003e Seashells can open like your mouth...\u003cbr\u003e and close quickly like your eyelids.\"\u003cbr\u003e A wordless visual narrative allows a diverse and curious group of friends to propel the content through illustrations, spanning a day of noticing, examining, and discussing among themselves what they have found and learned at the beach. \u003cbr\u003e One reason this and its related titles appeal so deeply to my taste is that both text and illustrations also work well with older readers. The similes offer a rich resource as mentor-text for young writers, moving them from simply lifting content and rephrasing it to analyzing, comparing, and expressing science content effectively. \u003cbr\u003e The related information may engage young readers as they develop skills, but will be embaraced by parents who seek ways to answer questions, and by established learners as a template for creating original works on science subjects of their choice.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - ENTER DOWNLOADABLES BELOW - - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eDownloadables\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/seashells-more-than-a-home-cvr.jpg?6375515554742356069\" style=\"display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"btn-wrapper\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/seashells-more-than-a-home-hires.zip?6375515554742356069\" class=\"product-btn\"\u003eDownload the Cover\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"btn-wrapper\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/seashells-teachers-guide.pdf?7096107890844228083\" class=\"product-btn\"\u003eDownload the Activity Guide\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER DETAILS BELOW - - - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eDetails\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHardcover\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eISBN: 978-1-58089-810-2\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePaperback\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eISBN: 978-1-62354-173-6\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAges: 6-9\u003cbr\u003ePage count: 32\u003cbr\u003e11 x 8 \u003csup\u003e1\u003c\/sup\u003e\/\u003csub\u003e2\u003c\/sub\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n[\/TABS]","published_at":"2018-07-02T12:17:33-04:00","created_at":"2018-07-02T12:06:48-04:00","vendor":"Charlesbridge","type":"Children's Book","tags":["Browse by Age_Ages 6-10","Browse by Fiction\/Nonfiction_Nonfiction","Browse by Format_Picture Book","Browse by Language_English","Browse by Subject_Animals \u0026 Dinosaurs","Browse by Subject_Science \u0026 Nature"],"price":799,"price_min":799,"price_max":1699,"available":true,"price_varies":true,"compare_at_price":null,"compare_at_price_min":0,"compare_at_price_max":0,"compare_at_price_varies":false,"variants":[{"id":12388178788431,"title":"Hardcover","option1":"Hardcover","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"98102","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":false,"featured_image":{"id":12947452854351,"product_id":1338702856271,"position":1,"created_at":"2019-10-08T09:34:25-04:00","updated_at":"2020-04-13T14:25:30-04:00","alt":"Seashells: More Than A Home book cover","width":600,"height":466,"src":"\/\/www.charlesbridge.com\/cdn\/shop\/products\/seashells-more-than-a-home-cover.jpg?v=1586802330","variant_ids":[12388178788431,31901223354447]},"available":true,"name":"Seashells - Hardcover","public_title":"Hardcover","options":["Hardcover"],"price":1699,"weight":0,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_quantity":9,"inventory_management":"shopify","inventory_policy":"continue","barcode":"9781580898102","featured_media":{"alt":"Seashells: More Than A Home book cover","id":2482193268815,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":1.288,"height":466,"width":600,"src":"\/\/www.charlesbridge.com\/cdn\/shop\/products\/seashells-more-than-a-home-cover.jpg?v=1586802330"}},"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]},{"id":31901223354447,"title":"Paperback","option1":"Paperback","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"41736","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":false,"featured_image":{"id":12947452854351,"product_id":1338702856271,"position":1,"created_at":"2019-10-08T09:34:25-04:00","updated_at":"2020-04-13T14:25:30-04:00","alt":"Seashells: More Than A Home book cover","width":600,"height":466,"src":"\/\/www.charlesbridge.com\/cdn\/shop\/products\/seashells-more-than-a-home-cover.jpg?v=1586802330","variant_ids":[12388178788431,31901223354447]},"available":true,"name":"Seashells - Paperback","public_title":"Paperback","options":["Paperback"],"price":799,"weight":0,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_quantity":12,"inventory_management":"shopify","inventory_policy":"continue","barcode":"978-1-62354-173-6","featured_media":{"alt":"Seashells: More Than A Home book cover","id":2482193268815,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":1.288,"height":466,"width":600,"src":"\/\/www.charlesbridge.com\/cdn\/shop\/products\/seashells-more-than-a-home-cover.jpg?v=1586802330"}},"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/www.charlesbridge.com\/cdn\/shop\/products\/seashells-more-than-a-home-cover.jpg?v=1586802330"],"featured_image":"\/\/www.charlesbridge.com\/cdn\/shop\/products\/seashells-more-than-a-home-cover.jpg?v=1586802330","options":["Title"],"media":[{"alt":"Seashells: More Than A Home book cover","id":2482193268815,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":1.288,"height":466,"width":600,"src":"\/\/www.charlesbridge.com\/cdn\/shop\/products\/seashells-more-than-a-home-cover.jpg?v=1586802330"},"aspect_ratio":1.288,"height":466,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.charlesbridge.com\/cdn\/shop\/products\/seashells-more-than-a-home-cover.jpg?v=1586802330","width":600}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan size=\"4\" style=\"font-size: large;\"\u003eSeashells\u003c\/span\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan size=\"3\" style=\"font-size: medium;\"\u003eMore Than A Home\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER AUTHOR\/ILLUSTRATOR INFO BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBy \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.charlesbridge.com\/pages\/melissa-stewart\"\u003eMelissa Stewart\u003c\/a\u003e \/ Illustrated by \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.charlesbridge.com\/pages\/sarah-s-brannen\"\u003eSarah S. Brannen\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER HEADING BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eA collection of shells\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER DESCRIPTION BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eProlific, award-winning nonfiction author Melissa Stewart reveals the surprising ways seashells provide more than shelter to the mollusks that inhabit them. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYoung naturalists discover thirteen seashells in this elegant introduction to the remarkable versatility of shells. Dual-layered text highlights how shells provide more than a protective home in this expository nonfiction exploration. The informative secondary text underscores characteristics specific to each shell. Elegant watercolor illustrations create a scrapbook feel, depicting children from around the world observing and sketching seashells across shores.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER RECOMMENDATIONS BELOW - - - - - - - -- - - --\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"recommended-books\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIf you like this book, you’ll enjoy these:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.charlesbridge.com\/products\/feathers-not-just-for-flying\"\u003eFeathers: Not Just for Flying\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.charlesbridge.com\/products\/living-fossils\"\u003eLiving Fossils: Clues to the Past\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.charlesbridge.com\/products\/high-tide-for-horseshoe-crabs\"\u003eHigh Tide for Horseshoe Crabs\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - START OF TABS - - - - - - - -- - - --\u003e [TABS]\n\u003ch5\u003eLook Inside\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg class=\"cvr-border-gray\" style=\"display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/seashells-more-than-a-home-spread.jpg?2484213147865538285\"\u003e\u003c!-- Please call pinit.js only once per page --\u003e \u003cscript src=\"\/\/assets.pinterest.com\/js\/pinit.js\" data-pin-hover=\"true\" data-pin-height=\"32\" data-pin-shape=\"round\" defer async=\"\" type=\"text\/javascript\"\u003e\u003c\/script\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER AUTHOR BIO BELOW - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor \u0026amp; Illustrator\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMelissa Stewart, author\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMelissa Stewart is the award-winning author of more than one hundred and fifty science books for children, including \u003cem\u003eFeathers: Not Just for Flying; No Monkeys, No Chocolate;\u003c\/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eCan an Aardvark Bark?\u003c\/em\u003e (Beach Lane Books). She lives in Acton, Massachusetts. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/pages\/melissa-stewart\"\u003eRead more \u003c\/a\u003eabout Melissa Stewart.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - ENTER ILLUSTRATOR BIO BELOW - - - - - - - - - - - --\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSarah S. Brannen, illustrator\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSarah S. Brannen is the author and illustrator of \u003cem\u003eMadame Martine\u003c\/em\u003e (Albert Whitman), \u003cem\u003eUncle Bobby's Wedding\u003c\/em\u003e (G. P. Putnam and Sons), and the illustrator of \u003cem\u003eFeathers: Not Just for Flying; Digging for Troy: From Homer to Hisarlik;\u003c\/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eAt Home in Her Tomb: Lady Dai and the Ancient Chinese Treasures of Mawangdui.\u003c\/em\u003e She lives in Massachusetts. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/pages\/sarah-s-brannen\"\u003eRead more\u003c\/a\u003e about Sarah S. Brannen. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - ENTER AWARDS \u0026 HONORS BELOW - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAwards \u0026amp; Honors\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eComing soon!\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - ENTER REVIEWS BELOW - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEditorial Reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cimg src=\"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/star-fade.gif?4673889858015672850\"\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eBooklist\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e, starred review\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn this handsome companion volume to the ALA Notable book Feathers: Not Just for Flying (2014), Stewart and Brannen provide insights into why seashells vary so greatly in shape, size, and color. Beyond providing protection for aquatic animals, shells sometimes offer forms of locomotion, disguise, warnings, tools, and waste removal. A double-page spread on the nautilus opens, “Seashells can rise and sink like a submarine,” and explains that the animal creates vertical movement by pumping in or releasing water from its spiraled shell, which has chambers containing a lightweight gas. A marine-blue underwater scene features a close-up of a nautilus with a dark gray submarine visible in the distance, while a separate drawing of the nautilus shell points out its gas chambers and the movement of water. The large-print text that runs across the tops of the pages makes excellent use of similes, while short, clearly written paragraphs of pertinent information appear below the illustrations. From the book jacket to the typefaces to the layouts, the book’s design is inviting. The beautiful watercolor paintings work seamlessly with the text to clarify concepts, while keeping the book’s audience in mind. Suggesting new ways to think about seashells, this volume is highly recommended for science collections.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cb\u003eSchool Library Journal\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA well-researched addition to the ocean biome canon, Seashells is unique in that it pairs form with function. Both the text and illustrations present information that is easy to digest and understand. Introducing the concept that seashells come in various shapes and colors due to their different jobs, the author and illustrator then launch into examples such as the scallops that can flit like a butterfly. This is paired with an illustration of a butterfly, a diagram of a shell and how its movement mirrors a butterfly, the shell in its environment, and corresponding text. The language is not too informational or too -poetic; it is just the right amount of colorful and interesting. An appendix of sorts and additional resources are included. VERDICT A delightful addition to an elementary library's nonfiction collection.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cb\u003eBookPage\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn essential book for young beachcombers, Seashells: More Than a Home provides a fascinating overview of 13 kinds of shells. In her accessible text, author Melissa Stewart covers the form, function and native habitat of each shellfish, from the beautifully curved chambered nautilus and the heart-shaped cockle to the Atlantic bay scallop with its rows of fine ridges. Stewart uses analogies from everyday life to help readers understand how these “treasures from a secret world beneath the waves” house clams, snails, oysters and other creatures. Artist Sarah S. Brannen brings the narrative to life through watercolor scenes of boys and girls exploring the seashore and collecting specimens. Precise sketches and diagrams of the shells lend a naturalist feel to the proceedings. Suggestions for further reading and a listing of mollusk types round out the volume. This fun, fact-filled book will inspire up-and-coming collectors while equipping them with important information.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cb\u003eUnpacking the Power of Picture Books\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMelissa Stewart is one of the most entertaining and engaging authors of nonfiction, one I admit is a favorite. Even though she has a stack of awards to prove it, I strongly resist naming favorites among anything literary.\u003cb\u003e SEASHELLS: MORE THAN A HOME is a perfect example of the remarkable talent Stewart brings to the research, insights, and writing of science picture books. A nod goes to the illustrators with whom those words and content are paired, as in this case, Sarah S. Brannen.These two creators have been paired for other titles, including FEATHERS: NOT JUST FOR FLYING. In both visuals and text, the depth of science research is evident: endpapers, scientific labeling, simulated field notes, back matter sources, and further prompts. The tone of this book makes it a delight for read aloud for even the youngest. The flowing main narrative provides familiar comparisons of various shell adaptations to increase survival, and Stewart's figurative language provides a pattern for early language development. It is framed within a horizontal and watery display that soothes and refreshes. The parallel paragraphs of accessible but more detailed content and the accurate but soft-edged specimens are set in natural habitats that explain and expand the meaning of the lyrical lines that float across the top of each page.\u003cbr\u003e \"Seashells can wear disguises like a spy...\u003cbr\u003e or hide in plain sight like a soldier in camo clothing.\u003cbr\u003e Seashells can open like your mouth...\u003cbr\u003e and close quickly like your eyelids.\"\u003cbr\u003e A wordless visual narrative allows a diverse and curious group of friends to propel the content through illustrations, spanning a day of noticing, examining, and discussing among themselves what they have found and learned at the beach. \u003cbr\u003e One reason this and its related titles appeal so deeply to my taste is that both text and illustrations also work well with older readers. The similes offer a rich resource as mentor-text for young writers, moving them from simply lifting content and rephrasing it to analyzing, comparing, and expressing science content effectively. \u003cbr\u003e The related information may engage young readers as they develop skills, but will be embaraced by parents who seek ways to answer questions, and by established learners as a template for creating original works on science subjects of their choice.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - ENTER DOWNLOADABLES BELOW - - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eDownloadables\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/seashells-more-than-a-home-cvr.jpg?6375515554742356069\" style=\"display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"btn-wrapper\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/seashells-more-than-a-home-hires.zip?6375515554742356069\" class=\"product-btn\"\u003eDownload the Cover\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"btn-wrapper\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/seashells-teachers-guide.pdf?7096107890844228083\" class=\"product-btn\"\u003eDownload the Activity Guide\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER DETAILS BELOW - - - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eDetails\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHardcover\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eISBN: 978-1-58089-810-2\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePaperback\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eISBN: 978-1-62354-173-6\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAges: 6-9\u003cbr\u003ePage count: 32\u003cbr\u003e11 x 8 \u003csup\u003e1\u003c\/sup\u003e\/\u003csub\u003e2\u003c\/sub\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n[\/TABS]"}