130,000+ Books, Games & Puzzles in-stock 🇳🇿

Overnight NZ-wide delivery 🚀 | Visit our Auckland bookstore • Open 7 days, 8:30am–5pm

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

By Becca McMurdie
Series: A Point-of-View Picture Book
0.0 (0 reviews)
Brief Description
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... Read More
Format: Hardback
$3499
AVAILABLE WITH SUPPLIER Ships from our Auckland warehouse within 4-6 weeks

Found a better price? Request a price match

Children playing on the beach discover that natural objects such as a seashell, driftwood, or waves represent different things to different creatures.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

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.

Series: A Point-of-View Picture Book

View all
  • 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...
    By Becca McMurdie
    Hardback
    $3499
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781419780646

Publisher: Abrams

Format: Hardback

Date Published: 25 June 2026

Country: United States

Imprint: Abrams Appleseed

Illustration: Full-color illustrations throughout

Contributors:

  • Illustrated by Paola Escobar

Audience: Children

DIMENSIONS

Width: 216.0mm

Height: 216.0mm

Weight: 300g

Pages: 32

Collections

Becca McMurdie Children's Books Children's Fiction Children’s, Teenage and Educational Penguin Books Series: A Point-of-View Picture Book Young Adult

About the Author

Becca McMurdie is an elementary school teacher and aunt to three amazing nephews by day. At night, she researches and writes children’s books. Her first picture book, Building a Beak: How a Toucan’s Rescue Inspired the World, was a NSTA-CBC Best STEM Book Selection. McMurdie takes trips to climb up mountains, hike through forests, and explore lakes and seashores any chance she gets. She lives in New York City. Paola Escobar is a graphic designer and illustrator from Colombia. As a child, she loved drawing the stories told by her grandmother, and it was her dream to become an illustrator for children’s books. Today, she is the illustrator of many critically acclaimed picture books, including A Plate of Hope: The Inspiring Story of Chef José Andrés and World Central Kitchen and Planting Stories: The Life of Librarian and Storyteller Pura Belpré, which won a Pura Belpré Honor award, was an Indie Next List Pick, a Junior Library Guild Selection, and a Today Show Best Kids’ Book. Escobar lives in Bogotá, Colombia, with her husband and their dog, Flora.

More from Children's Books

View all
  • New Release
    Gruffalo Granny
    The brand new Gruffalo picture book from Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler. The Gruffalo said to his daughter one day, "Your Gruffalo Granny is coming to stay." Return to the deep dark wood with the first new Gruffalo story in over 20 years, and meet Gruffalo Granny as she visits the Gruffalo family. This fresh and exciting new Gruffalo adventure...
    By Julia Donaldson
    Hardback
    $2499
    Elsewhere:
    $3000
    (1)
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • New Release
    Lottie Brooks’s Twelve Disasters of Christmas
    From hilarious MEGA bestselling author, Katie Kirby, comes a new story collection from the world of Lottie Brooks! But this time... it's not about Lottie! From hilarious MEGA bestselling author, Katie Kirby, comes a new story collection from the world of Lottie Brooks! And it's CHRISTMAS! In The Completely Chaotic Christmas of Lottie Brooks we spent the holiday season with...
    By Katie Kirby
    Paperback
    $1799
    Elsewhere:
    $2100
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • Wahine
    New Release
    Wahine
    From a majestic mermaid to a clay woman, the creator of glaciers to the mother of gardening, discover powerful wahine and how their stories shaped the world around us. Wahine introduces readers to twelve purakau of brave, bold, and inspiring women of Aotearoa. A beautifully illustrated collection that will delight the whole whanau, from award-winning illustrator Isobel Joy Te Aho-White....
    By Isobel Joy Te Aho-White
    Hardback
    $3199
    Elsewhere:
    $3999
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • The Sweet As Looky Book
    New Release
    The Sweet As Looky Book
    Can you find all the chocolate fish? Is it possible for kiwi to fly? Can you spot the difference? See Aotearoa New Zealand through the eyes of award-winning artist Donovan Bixley in The Sweet As Looky Book. Use your finest skills to seek out pirates in the Bay of Islands and birds in Rakiura Stewart Island. Get in a car...
    By Donovan Bixley
    Hardback
    $2299
    Elsewhere:
    $2799
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • New Release
    The Day of the Dinosaur Disaster
    Angry anacondas, blizzarding blobs, carnivorous cactuses ... what kind of twisted curse will Glam-Evil think up this time?!Only it's not just Glam-Evil's curse the gang needs to worry about; they've got a few other problems, too. Swooping Pteranodons, a hungry T-Rex, a missing mother, and ... is that ... an ASTEROID?!Join MILES AND JONES as they face their biggest challenge...
    By Sam Smith
    Paperback
    $1400
    Elsewhere:
    $1499
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • New Release
    The Neverfear
    A world of richly-imagined wonder Cressida Cowell It’s the Midsummer Feast on the Islet of Glimt and on this magical moonlit evening, the word on everyone’s lips is bandits. Reports of masked men burning villages are spreading throughout the Archipelago, but worse is still to come: Christopher and Anya are ambushed and one of the people they love most is...
    By Katherine Rundell
    Paperback
    $1999
    Elsewhere:
    $2299
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • New Release
    Mari the Unwonderful Witch
    A charming, cosy and thought-provoking tale about a wonderfully unconventional little witch, by bestselling author of BUTTER, Asako Yuzuki. Perfect for fans of WICKED, KIKI'S DELIVERY SERVICE, and THE HATMAKERS series by Tamzin Merchant - and anyone who likes an enchanting adventure with just a hint of mischief. Mari the Unwonderful Witch introduces us to Mari, an eleven-year-old witch who...
    By Asako Yuzuki
    Paperback
    $1999
    Elsewhere:
    $2400
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • New Release
    Animalia 40th Anniversary Edition
    A beautiful, foiled collector's edition to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Graeme Base's classic and bestselling Australian picture book, Animalia. Embark on a fantastical alphabetic adventure where each turn of the page unveils a rich tapestry of intricate illustrations tied to a unique letter of the alphabet. More than 5 million copies sold worldwide Children's Book Council of Australia (CBCA)...
    By Graeme Base
    Hardback
    $2999
    Elsewhere:
    $3500
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • New Release
    The Comeback Kid
    Charlie Boy might be just an ordinary kid, but he's about to get into some EXTRA-ordinary trouble... Get ready for this funny, fast-paced, friendship adventure with lots of kick. Meet Charlie Boy: skinny, small, looks like a strand of spaghetti. He and his best friend, Rocky the Lower Hutt Chief, are good at getting into trouble together. But when Charlie...
    By Airana Ngarewa
    Paperback
    $1799
    Elsewhere:
    $1999
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • Millie from Milford
    New Release
    Millie from Milford
    Based on the true story of Ruth Shaw and her husband Lance looking after a baby seal that had been shot between the eyes. Millie from Milford lives in Milford Sound, the number one tourist destination in Aotearoa New Zealand. After Millie was checked by a vet, she was taken to Ruth and Lance's home to be looked after until...
    By Ruth Shaw
    Paperback
    $2299
    Elsewhere:
    $2799
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • The Case of the Tall Stranger: Violet and the Velvets 4
    New Release
    The Case of the Tall Stranger: Violet and the Velvets 4
    But disaster strikes when guitarist Jack breaks his wrist and can no longer play. On top of that, all their hard work fundraising has fallen short! When help comes from unexpected channels, the Velvets make it to the Big Apple just in time to compete against the best kid bands in the whole world, including their new rivals the Blazer...
    By Rachael King
    Paperback
    $1600
    Elsewhere:
    $1899
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • Pocket Observology
    Pocket Observology
    Pocket Observology is a practical field guide designed for those who love to explore and understand the natural world around them. Slip this guide out of your pocket to identify, measure, compare, or find clues to the things you encounter every day in nature. This pocket guide is a useful tool and a fun reminder of how to engage with...
    By Giselle Clarkson
    Paperback
    $2399
    Elsewhere:
    $2799
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks

Why buy from us?

Book Hero is not a chain store or big box retailer. We're an independent 100% NZ-owned business on a mission to help more Kiwis rediscover a love of books and reading!

Service & Delivery

Service & Delivery

Our warehouse in Auckland holds over 100,000 books, toys, board games and puzzles in-stock so you're not waiting for your order to arrive from overseas.

Auckland Bookstore

Auckland Bookstore

We're primarily an online store, but for your convenience you can pick up your order for free from our bookstore, which is right next door to our warehouse in Hobsonville.

Our Gifting Service

Our Gifting Service

Books make wonderful thoughtful gifts and we're here to help with gift-wrapping and cards. We can even send your gift directly to your loved one.

Children's Books lists from the team

Explore our curated lists from our heroes to find your next read!

The Latest at Book Hero

View all