The Shell Keepers – at a glance
The School Reading Lists’ five word review: Family, loss, environmental, compromise, protection.
Children’s book title: The Shell Keepers.
Children’s author: Truly Johnston.
Genre: Children’s fiction.
Published by: Chicken House.
ISBN: 9781915947734.
Recommended for children aged: 9-12 year-olds.
First published: Paperback June 2025.
This children’s book is ideal for: looking at the importance of family and the impact when we lose someone dear to us and the environmental impact on our oceans by the excesses and indulgence of man.
Warning: This book deals with the death of a grandparent.
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Our review:
Corrine lives in London but loves to visit her Aunty Lillian, cousin Anthony, and grandfather Siya in Whiteshell Bay. When Siya dies, she travels to his home with her mum and older sister Nimali to help sort through his belongings. While there, she learns of his special role in the lives of a mysterious race of people known as the Democonch, who live beneath the sea and sands and travel the globe in large shells guided by the tides. According to Kauri, the tiny traveller Corrine discovers, her people need the help of a few trusted humans to ensure their survival. Unbeknownst to Corrine, Anthony and Nimali, Siya was what the Democonch called a Shellkeeper.
Siya had summoned the Democonch before his death, but Kauri doesn’t know why. Separated from her family by the tides, she asks Corrine for help. But all is not well in Whiteshell Bay, and it seems a new hotel could be part of the problem. Can the three youngsters help Kauri before the full moon, investigate the five-star resort, and solve the puzzles Siya left for them? If not, Whiteshell Bay, its inhabitants, and the Democonch may face a future nothing like they imagined.
Our verdict:
The Shell Keepers is a lovely book to read, especially aloud, as the Democonch speak a slightly different version of our language! The death of Siya is dealt with sensitively, without fuss or too much detail. Kauri adds a layer of fantasy and originality to themes we all recognise, even if we haven’t experienced them ourselves.
The environmental aspects of this book, though present in every chapter, are never used to preach about the problems our planet faces. Corrine and Anthony are both conscientious and full of fun as they tackle the clues left by Siya, alongside their concerns about the beach and the new hotel.
With everything tied up neatly at the end, this is a fulfilling and satisfying read for confident readers within the suggested age range.
There is a wealth of additional material at the end of the story, including a glossary of Democonch words, tips for a successful beach picnic, a coconut roti recipe, and descriptions of the plants and animals mentioned in the book.
Teaching points and book club discussion ideas:
- Corrine had gone mudlarking with her grandfather on the banks of the River Thames. What kinds of artefacts might they have discovered in the heart of a city that Anthony wouldn’t have found in Whiteshell Bay?
- The desk known as the Hemingway had a secret compartment. If you had something similar, what would you keep there for safety? How tempted would you be to keep checking it was still there?
- Do you think being tiny and travelling in a shell across the oceans sounds like fun? What dangers might you face?
- The hotel owner changed his vision for the business. Do you think his environmentally friendly approach would be more or less successful than his original plans?
- The author has included a lot of information at the end of the story.
- Did you find it interesting and informative?
- Would you like to try the recipe?
- What would you include in your own picnic basket?
- Corrine and Anthony organised their own litter pick on the beach. As a cross-curricular activity with art, draw a poster to advertise a similar event near you that needs tidying, or create one explaining the dangers to be found on the beach.
Many thanks to Chicken House for the review copy.
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