I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.  All opinions are my own. 

A grandfather and his grandson discover a shell and discover how it arrived on the shore in author Maureen Devlin’s “Let’s Go Backer and Backer!: The Empty and Still Beautiful but a Bit Broken Shell.”

The Synopsis

“The Empty and Still Beautiful but a Bit Broken Shell” takes young readers on a layered journey of discovery as a curious grandson and his loving grandpa find a cracked but beautiful shell washed up on the beach. When the little boy wonders how it got there, they travel backer and backer together — from the ocean waves that carried it to shore, to the vast ocean where tumbling waters cracked it, to the hermit crab who once borrowed it for rest, to the clam who first called it home, to the soft sandy seafloor where the clam grew, to the tiny phytoplankton that nourished it, all the way back to the warm sun that gave energy to it all. Perfect for children ages 2–6, this sixth book in the Backer & Backer series celebrates the special bond between grandparents and grandchildren while sparking wonder about the natural world — reminding young readers that even something empty and a little broken can hold an extraordinary story.

THE REVIEW

This was a beautiful and impactful short picture book for children. The author does a wonderful job of using rich, colorful illustrations to elevate the story’s theme and narrative for young readers. The quick pace of the story and the way the author captures young readers’ attention while also introducing key terminology that inspires curiosity to learn and understand the ocean in a much more profound way were inspiring.

The way the story is framed and brought to life is really what sold this book for me. Being able to show young readers how something as simple as finding a shell on the beach took a entire journey that showed where the shell came from, how it was moved through the ocean and then ended up back in the hands of the two protagonists will inspire young readers to want to build their memory skills and delve into the impact choices and events have further down the road in life.

THE VERDICT

Compelling, fun, and highly engaging, “Let’s go Backer and Backer!: The Empty and Still Beautiful but a Bit Broken Shell”  by Maureen Devlin is a must-read children’s book. The colorful illustrations and heartfelt message blend with the critical thinking skills and entertaining narrative to give young readers a story they will want to return to time and time again. If you haven’t yet, please be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

About the Author

Maureen Devlin is a Seattle-based author. She is a former lawyer and social worker and a forever Mom, Aunt, and Grand-Aunt. Her mission now is to spread the joy of reading and learning to young children. She strives to provide factual information to young minds in fun and fresh ways. When her own twins were small, she spent countless hours curled up on the couch with them, reading and talking about what they read. These “book fests” prompted seemingly endless questions about the origins of everyday things. Thus, the idea of going “backer and backer” to find the origins was born.

https://www.maureendevlinauthor.com

https://www.instagram.com/maureendevlinauthor

ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATOR

She is an illustrator from the enchanting region of Yucatán, México.

With a flair for bringing stories to life through her whimsical and never-ending imagery, her profound love for the arts shines through in her captivating illustrations.

She aims to enthrall and inspire readers, young and old alike.

https://www.instagram.com/nindy.publishinghouse