Let's go Backer and Backer!: The Empty and Still Beautiful but a Bit Broken Shell

"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.

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 is to spread the joy of reading and learning to children. She strives to provide factual information to young minds in fun and fresh ways. She hopes her books spark curiosity about the world around us.