A SHELL IS COZY

An examination of shells’ varied forms and functions, with just enough data to whet beachcombers’ appetites.

Aston and Long’s eye-opening books rejoice in and reveal the natural world of eggs, rocks, seeds, nests, insects, and more. The latest entry in this acclaimed series looks on land and sea (or “everywhere”) for its fascinating subjects. Intricate, detailed, informative watercolors, in colors delicate and warm or saturated and striking, add dimension to the brief text. As in previous installments, verse is presented in looped cursive script, while additional information is presented in tiny type. Surprisingly, the answer to a basic question—what are shells made of?—is not easy to find, and the chance to connect shells to chalk, marble, and even human bones is missed. But the simple sentences are easy to grasp on generous layouts. Cascading adjectives, though sometimes a stretch (the mollusk, not the shell, is “hungry” or “athletic”), are generally effective shorthand for the shell’s varied aspects: “showy,” “hatched,” “protective,” “spiny,” “smooth,” “sharp,” “hairy,” “artistic,” “treasured,” “practical.” A rubber ducky and a pencil tip provide whimsical but useful scale on a spread noting that a shell can be either “enormous” or “microscopic.” Once again this team sends us out into nature with sharper perception. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

Just as sparkling as its many predecessors.