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The Shell Seeker: Encounters with Thirty Seashells
Explore the ocean’s beauty in this illustrated book featuring a unique spinning wheel that reveals fascinating information about thirty different shells.
Seashells are marvels; beachcombing adults and children alike are transfixed by their natural beauty and striking architecture. The Shell Seeker is your ticket to discovering all the incredible details of these stunning homes for mollusks and other marine life. Renowned science writer Juli Berwald draws on her passion for the ocean and its great treasures to reveal the remarkable and surprising features of 30 shells from the world’s oceans.
Spin the cover wheel to find key facts at a glance, then flip to the corresponding shell's page for in-depth information about the species, including its name, size, habitat, and more. The stunning illustrations bring the beauty of these shells to life—you’ll explore the vibrant colors and the hypnotic patterns of shells like the Queen Conch, Red-Rimmed Melania, Great Argonaut, and more.
The Shell Seeker is perfect for casual beachcombers, ocean enthusiasts, and anyone fascinated by nature’s beauty.
Seashells are marvels; beachcombing adults and children alike are transfixed by their natural beauty and striking architecture. The Shell Seeker is your ticket to discovering all the incredible details of these stunning homes for mollusks and other marine life. Renowned science writer Juli Berwald draws on her passion for the ocean and its great treasures to reveal the remarkable and surprising features of 30 shells from the world’s oceans.
Spin the cover wheel to find key facts at a glance, then flip to the corresponding shell's page for in-depth information about the species, including its name, size, habitat, and more. The stunning illustrations bring the beauty of these shells to life—you’ll explore the vibrant colors and the hypnotic patterns of shells like the Queen Conch, Red-Rimmed Melania, Great Argonaut, and more.
The Shell Seeker is perfect for casual beachcombers, ocean enthusiasts, and anyone fascinated by nature’s beauty.
- GenresNonfiction
192 pages, Paperback
Published July 7, 2026
About the author
Juli Berwald
18 books78 followersJuli Berwald received her PhD in ocean science from the University of Southern California. A science textbook writer and editor, she has contributed to many science textbooks and written for The New York Times, Nature, National Geographic, and Slate, among other publications. She lives in Austin with her husband and their son and daughter.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Book Review: The Shell Seeker: Encounters with Thirty Seashells by Juli Berwald
Rating: 4 Stars
I recently had the pleasure of reviewing The Shell Seeker by Juli Berwald, and it’s a charming dive into the fascinating world of seashells. The book captures the ocean’s wonder through an innovative design that includes a spinning wheel on the cover. Turn it to reveal quick facts about thirty different shells, then flip inside to explore each one in detail. It’s a clever way to engage readers, making the learning process interactive and fun.
Juli Berwald, a seasoned science writer with a clear passion for the sea, guides you along shorelines from California all the way to Cape Cod and beyond. Each shell’s story unfolds with insights on its size, habitat, and the unique creatures that call it home. What really stands out are the stunning hand-drawn illustrations—vivid and intricate, they bring each shell’s vibrant colors and hypnotic patterns to life. Whether it’s the Queen Conch or the Eastern Oyster, every page feels like a small seaside adventure.
As someone who enjoys collecting shells, I found this book an excellent companion for my next beachcombing trip. It deepened my appreciation for the sheer variety and beauty of shells, highlighting not just their looks but the fascinating natural processes behind their formation. The combination of accessible information and gorgeous artwork makes The Shell Seeker a great pick for casual nature lovers and ocean enthusiasts alike. This is a beautifully presented and informative read that I’d happily recommend. A solid four stars!
⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️
Rating: 4 Stars
I recently had the pleasure of reviewing The Shell Seeker by Juli Berwald, and it’s a charming dive into the fascinating world of seashells. The book captures the ocean’s wonder through an innovative design that includes a spinning wheel on the cover. Turn it to reveal quick facts about thirty different shells, then flip inside to explore each one in detail. It’s a clever way to engage readers, making the learning process interactive and fun.
Juli Berwald, a seasoned science writer with a clear passion for the sea, guides you along shorelines from California all the way to Cape Cod and beyond. Each shell’s story unfolds with insights on its size, habitat, and the unique creatures that call it home. What really stands out are the stunning hand-drawn illustrations—vivid and intricate, they bring each shell’s vibrant colors and hypnotic patterns to life. Whether it’s the Queen Conch or the Eastern Oyster, every page feels like a small seaside adventure.
As someone who enjoys collecting shells, I found this book an excellent companion for my next beachcombing trip. It deepened my appreciation for the sheer variety and beauty of shells, highlighting not just their looks but the fascinating natural processes behind their formation. The combination of accessible information and gorgeous artwork makes The Shell Seeker a great pick for casual nature lovers and ocean enthusiasts alike. This is a beautifully presented and informative read that I’d happily recommend. A solid four stars!
⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Learning about seashells is one of my new favourite hobbies as I now live much of the time at the Mediterranean. The Shell Seekers whet my appetite even more and I absorbed every word and illustration like a thirsty sponge. My brain feels livelier with new-to-me details including the meaning behind shell shapes, colours, layers and striations; connections between shells and humans; shell anatomy and stages of growth; mythology; shell collecting; fossils; drawing shells (adorable drawings from centuries ago included); and how shells were used as currency. Not only that but there is also a section highlighting thirty specific shells. Amongst those detailed include the Venus comb, wentletraps, common violet snail, Pilgrim’s scallop, and my favourite, the Mediterranean noble pen shell with the ingenius shrimp inside which warn it when to snap the shell shut.
It feels like this book was written for my curious mind. What can be more fun than tide pooling and identifying? I live near a facility where Mediterranean noble pen shell research is being conducted and babies grown. But I had no idea there is only one sea silk seamstress left in the world! Another tidbit which stood out in my mind is that European sea urchins lose their spines after death and the shell left behind is called a “test”. The “radula” or little scraper mouths was yet another “aha” moment.
Other winning attributes of this book are the conversational writing tone which makes learning enjoyable and the gorgeous illustrations. I really, really loved this book and look forward to going to the sea tomorrow to put this information into practice!
It feels like this book was written for my curious mind. What can be more fun than tide pooling and identifying? I live near a facility where Mediterranean noble pen shell research is being conducted and babies grown. But I had no idea there is only one sea silk seamstress left in the world! Another tidbit which stood out in my mind is that European sea urchins lose their spines after death and the shell left behind is called a “test”. The “radula” or little scraper mouths was yet another “aha” moment.
Other winning attributes of this book are the conversational writing tone which makes learning enjoyable and the gorgeous illustrations. I really, really loved this book and look forward to going to the sea tomorrow to put this information into practice!
July 15, 2026
The Shell Seeker by Juli Berwald is an encyclopedic inspired book all about shells. An informative guide to everything you ever wanted to know about these fascinating specimens.
I loved the author's writing as her passion for shells shone through. It felt like I was reading a novel about shells and their history. The first few chapters discuss their science, significance, and functions, while the rest of the book functions as an index, with each type of shell described.
I learned so much about shells, quickly realizing that the general public is not very well educated in these beautiful members of nature, despite their aesthetic value and interest. My only wish is that the book had real photographs of the shells instead of renderings. I live in a part of the world where we don't have many kinds of shells, so it would have been helpful to see their real life versions.
The Shell Seeker would make a beautiful coffee table book, an addition to any library, and for enthusiasts of the water and beach. I finished reading this book with a greater appreciation for shells and a deeper respect for the creatures who call them home. Nature truly is magnificent and inspiring.
Thank you to the publisher for providing me with a free arc via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I loved the author's writing as her passion for shells shone through. It felt like I was reading a novel about shells and their history. The first few chapters discuss their science, significance, and functions, while the rest of the book functions as an index, with each type of shell described.
I learned so much about shells, quickly realizing that the general public is not very well educated in these beautiful members of nature, despite their aesthetic value and interest. My only wish is that the book had real photographs of the shells instead of renderings. I live in a part of the world where we don't have many kinds of shells, so it would have been helpful to see their real life versions.
The Shell Seeker would make a beautiful coffee table book, an addition to any library, and for enthusiasts of the water and beach. I finished reading this book with a greater appreciation for shells and a deeper respect for the creatures who call them home. Nature truly is magnificent and inspiring.
Thank you to the publisher for providing me with a free arc via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Shell Seeker is a fascinating exploration of the world of shells, brought to life with absolutely beautiful illustrations.
I was amazed by how much there was to learn. For example, I had no idea there are more than 100,000 species of mollusks, the creatures responsible for creating most of the shells we encounter. The book gave me a whole new appreciation for the incredible diversity of shells, from their intricate patterns and colours to the remarkable processes involved in their formation.
What I enjoyed most was how the book combined scientific information with a sense of wonder. I found myself looking at shells differently and appreciating them as tiny natural works of art rather than simply objects found on a beach. The stunning illustrations were an added bonus and even inspired me to have a go at drawing shells myself.
Overall, this is an informative, engaging, and beautifully presented book that will appeal to anyone with an interest in nature and the natural world.
Thank you to Juli Berwald and Ten Speed Press for providing a copy for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
I was amazed by how much there was to learn. For example, I had no idea there are more than 100,000 species of mollusks, the creatures responsible for creating most of the shells we encounter. The book gave me a whole new appreciation for the incredible diversity of shells, from their intricate patterns and colours to the remarkable processes involved in their formation.
What I enjoyed most was how the book combined scientific information with a sense of wonder. I found myself looking at shells differently and appreciating them as tiny natural works of art rather than simply objects found on a beach. The stunning illustrations were an added bonus and even inspired me to have a go at drawing shells myself.
Overall, this is an informative, engaging, and beautifully presented book that will appeal to anyone with an interest in nature and the natural world.
Thank you to Juli Berwald and Ten Speed Press for providing a copy for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
July 9, 2026
Absolutely chock full of gorgeous drawings. Would be a great coffee table book.
Very accesible writing that engages your senses. You can imagine the shells whole story from growing with its inhabitant to thousands of years later where it might end up.
I found the first more general part more interesting than the second part about specific species. As in messaging family interesting facts fascinating!
I like that all the measurements are in imperial and metric. A nice touch since the spelling is American. Maybe a bit northern hemisphere heavy on the species featured.
I do wish all the pictures said where in the world the particular type is found, even if just "worldwide".
It got a bit repetitive that words like radula and byssus were defined over and over again. Only needed to be defined once, if at all since there's a glossary.
Would've liked some sort of conclusion chapter at the end.
My thanks to NetGalley for the advance ebook copy.
Very accesible writing that engages your senses. You can imagine the shells whole story from growing with its inhabitant to thousands of years later where it might end up.
I found the first more general part more interesting than the second part about specific species. As in messaging family interesting facts fascinating!
I like that all the measurements are in imperial and metric. A nice touch since the spelling is American. Maybe a bit northern hemisphere heavy on the species featured.
I do wish all the pictures said where in the world the particular type is found, even if just "worldwide".
It got a bit repetitive that words like radula and byssus were defined over and over again. Only needed to be defined once, if at all since there's a glossary.
Would've liked some sort of conclusion chapter at the end.
My thanks to NetGalley for the advance ebook copy.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Interesting book about the different types of shells you may encounter, where they may be located in the world, and even a history of the kinds you are more likely to find in a museum or in drawings. Each type has a brief overview and history, including the different patterns and types from each family, and the creatures that call them home. Great book for everyone from kids to adults, especially if you're a shell seeker. Would make a great gift and an interesting coffee table book too.
I received an advanced reader copy of this title from NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
I received an advanced reader copy of this title from NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
beautiful book packed with wonderful illustrations and factual information. I learnt a lot. Thank you to the author. Thank you to #netgalley and the publisher for an ARC.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews