The Boy Who Lived in a Shell: Snippets for Wandering Minds

by John Himmelman

From the venerable John Himmelman comes something new—a collection of story poems perfect for fans of Shel Silverstein.

Ivo lived in a great big shell.
That floated in the sea.
He wrote stories to make the time pass.
Millions and millions of stories.
More than a shell could hold.
More than a boy’s life could hold.

A boy named Ivo lives in a giant moon snail shell on a beach. One day, a wave carries him out to sea. While he waits to be rescued, he makes the best of his time writing story poems on the walls inside the shell. In his poems, Ivo introduces you to characters such as dolphin, the nicest creature in the ocean who brings him a crayon when he needs a new one. Crab who takes over when Ivo sleeps and writes crabby poems. There’s carrot boy who eats so many carrots that he turns into a rabbit. And two sibling pups taken in by different owners and can’t stop looking for each other. 

John Himmelman’s masterful collection of poems—each illustrated in full-color art—is filled with unforgettable characters and begs to be read time and time again.

Genres: Poetry, Middle Grade, Childrens, Kids, Humor, Animals

128 pages, Hardcover

Published March 18, 2025

About the author

John Himmelman is the author and illustrator of more than sixty books for children, including Chickens to the Rescue. He lives in Connecticut with his family.

According John's Facebook page, he has been "making up stories and scribbling pictures since I could hold a crayon in my hand. It became my job in 1981, when my first book, "Talester the Lizard" was published during my last year in college (School of Visual Arts)....It behooves a writer to try and turn what interests them into their work. I've been fortunate to do that with my love of nature, with books - for adults and children - focusing on different natural history topics."

Reviews

[Lizzy Jordan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This reminded me of a combination of the Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry and Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein. Possibly best read in one sitting if you have about 45 minutes-1 hour. The ending was interesting and I liked it a lot.

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful little book. Heard about it, an interview with the author, on NPR and found it online - had just come out. Very enjoyable. Kept finding a smile on my face as I read.

[Carrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first half of the book, I was kind of like, this is fine, but by then end, I found it utterly charming and delightful! It has clever wordplay but also a poignancy that makes it part Shel Silverstein mixed with Chris Harris and a splash of Kate DiCamillo.

[Helen Baldwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Boy Who Lived in a Shell: Snippets for Wandering Minds by John Hummelman is a delightful collection of very short stories that Ivo, the boy who lives in a shell, writes on the walls of his shell. Ivo occasionally updates the reader on how Toby and Pip are doing, how the Wasp and Jellyfish are getting along, on Ned’s nose, on the Sleepy Sisters… It was when I read the first update that I began laughing. It’s all so much fun and so fun to read with the best little illustrations.

Too hard to pick a favorite but I love the Tooth Fairy who sat on her mountain of teeth who realizes how pointy and not comfy teeth are for sitting on. So she starts taking pillows instead of teeth when she visits boys and girls!

This is a one of a kind book which has to be picked up and read to love it, it can not be explained or described imho. The very short stories are sometimes touching, always funny.

There are stories in the shells.

This is the third middle grade book I’ve read recently, each borrowed from the library, which I did not want to return. I think I need to get my own copy! The other two are The Trouble with Heroes by Kate Messner and The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest by Aubrey Hartman. And so far…. the three are my top three #newberycontender #newbery2026 #mocknewbery #newberycontenderchallenge #johnhimmelman #theboywholivedinashell @holidayhousebks

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bringing to mind some of the poetry of Shel Silverstein, this collection of poems [3.5 for me!] offers bits of amusement, wry observations, whimsy, and heart-tugging lines, all through interlocked verses linked to a boy named Ivo who lives in a large shell where he composes story poems on the shell's interior. All the poems are short, and while returning several times to two pups [Toby and Pip] who are separated when they are young, creating a cliffhanger effect about their fate, he also revisits the earlier poems and characters near the end of the book. By then, readers will be anxious to know whether Ned's long nose has continued to grow, whether Jennifer has recovered from having her secret revealed, and if Duck has come to appreciate Lobster's stew, among others. This one with its small spot art on each page epitomizes the meaning of the word "imaginative" and is highly entertaining. Readers will have no idea where the poet is going to take them next. Parents, caregivers or educators might want to share one of these each night or at a meal, but they should be prepared for requests of "MORE! MORE! MORE!"

[Meredith · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am not sure quite how I feel about this book. It was weird. It was strange. Sometimes it was gross. Sometimes it was clever. But I did love the commentary re: stories in the Toby and Pip poems. And the updates of all the characters at the end was unexpectedly amusing. My favorite poem may have been this one, by Crabby Crab:

Everything Stinks!

"Sing-along time!"
sang the crab who sang.

"Nothing goes right.
Everything's wrong.
Nothing is nice.

Blah. Blah. Blah.

Everything stinks.
Nothing's worth doing.
You're all too smelly.

Blah! Blah! Blah!

And you're all too loud.
Everything's boring.
Sun's in my eyes.

Blah! Blah! Blah!

Blah-blah-blah!

Blah!"

[callistoscalling · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the publisher for a gifted copy of this book so I can share my thoughts!

📖 Book Review 📖 I am the kind of person whose brain does not turn off easily and the thoughts go a mile a minute with all the things that have to get done and places we have to be. Except when we are at the beach and a magic light switch is turned on and instead of a checklist my mind can escape like this whimsical book into a whole other world, where things are so much lighter. The Boy Who Lived In a Shell is a reminder of the childlike side of life that we all need to take a deep breath of fresh air and enjoy more often!

[Raven Black · Rating 4 out of 5]

If Charles Addams, Shel Silverstein, AA Milne and Edward Gorey had a baby this would be its cousin. The Boy Who Lived in a Shell: Snippets for Wandering Minds by John Himmelman is not necessarily spooky or kooky like Addams or Gorey; or rhyming like Silverstein and does not have the sweetness or innocence of Milne, but a mixture that is all its own.

Due mid-March 2025 read via an online readers copy.

[Ann Haefele · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short, silly stories told in verse have a bit of Shel Silverstein in them. Enjoyed how at the end of the book, the stories are all referred to again by summing up how the characters in those stories are now faring. Would be good to use to get children writing using random thoughts. The stories are accompanied by black and white illustrations which add to the humor.

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

A bit odd and disjointed (not surprising, given the title), but I can see how this would be appealing for children ages 7-10, possibly even a bit older, especially if long, wordy stories feel overwhelming at times. This is manageable but still creative and filled with luscious verbiage for children’s developing vocabulary.

[Shella · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very clever- just pure silliness with wonderful word play. I loved how some stories like Toby and Pip kept having their storyline continued throughout the book and how all the stories were revisited at the end. I do think the illustrations are vital to the book, so would rather this be on a different list than on 2026 Mock Newbery lists. If you read to kids- this is a must read aloud.

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’ve seen reviews saying this is for those who like Shel Silverstein, but I don’t completely agree. The poetry is that imaginative and unpredictable, but while Silverstein broached some sadness and disappointment, his poems generally ended with lightness. This whole book wraps everything up well, but is actually quite bleak in the middle.

[Cindy Sterba · Rating 5 out of 5]

crazy wazy fun

I always enjoy wacky theme stories; this book will be great for young people as well as old, to enjoy. I will use it for my students in the 4th, 5th, and 6th grade. They will love it.

[Glenna Coleman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ivo was a boy who lived in a moon snail shell and wrote stories that were like poems. Some of his stories were sad, some were happy, and some were angry, but eventually, the individual stories return again and again until they are finished. Readers who enjoy quirky will enjoy this book.

[Mary-Esther Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Odd and fanciful.

[Jesse · Rating 3 out of 5]

Oddball verse; it's silly at times and could definitely be amusing to kids. This one just didn't click with me, although I really enjoyed the idea behind the "floating people" poem.

[Danielle Wood · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️

[Kristen · Rating 3 out of 5]

3⭐️.

[Shauna Yusko · Rating 3 out of 5]

Shel Silverstein vibes

[Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charming stories with even more charming illustrations that made me smile.

[Nancycampbell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Random and imaginative poetry collection that deserves to be gulped down in one sitting. Funny and charming.

[Casey Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

So freaking cute and irreverent and thoughtful and interconnected.

[Camille · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun book of short nonsense tales. This collection was s a good departure from reality and would be fun for a lapsit with a giggly little one.

[R · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting interconnected poems with neat artwork.

[Laurel Zeisler · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the title and the cover. But I don't think it was anything like Shel Silverstein's books.

[Angie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a delightful little book!!!

[Elizabeth Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the absurdity and whimsy of this. Could be a fun evening read aloud with young kids and a good prompt to get them to come up with their own stories.