The Purple Shell : La concha de mar púrpura

by Maritza Martinez Mejia, Valerie Mojica (Illustrator)

The Purple Shell invites us to become ecologically aware to protect the beaches. This bilingual tale (English & Spanish) is based on a true story. Contains coloring pages, facts, and questions to take care of our planet, our common home.

La concha de mar púrpura nos invita a tomar consciencia ecológica para proteger las playas. Este cuento bilingüe (inglés & español) se basa en una historia real. Contiene páginas para colorear, datos y preguntas para cuidar nuestro planeta, nuestra casa común.

33 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 11, 2021

About the author

Maritza M. Mejía is a Colombian poet and local author passionate about bilingual children’s literature. Through her stories, she celebrates gratitude, tolerance, and care for the environment. Maritza enjoys connecting with young readers through interactive read-aloud and literary events that inspire curiosity and imagination.
In recognition of her service to the community, she received the Crystal Apple Award (2006). Her literary work has also been honored with the Virtues Christian Poetry Award (2015) and the International Latino Book Award for Best Translation (English to Spanish) in 2016 for her memoir Hazel Eyes. She is the author of twelve bilingual books.
Maritza studied Commerce and Foreign Languages at Colegio Mayor de Cundinamarca in Colombia. She later earned a Bachelor’s degree in Humanities and a Certificate in Women’s Studies from Florida Atlantic University. She also holds a Master’s degree in Theology from Catholic Distance University, where she serves as a translator and course developer for continuing education programs and as Student Life Manager.
Maritza writes to inspire others to become better human beings.
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Maritza M. Mejía es una poeta colombiana y autora bilingüe de libros infantiles cuyas historias celebran la gratitud, la tolerancia y el cuidado del medio ambiente. Escritora galardonada, recibió el Premio Internacional del Libro Latino por su libro de memorias Hazel Eyes. Maritza tiene una maestría en Teología y escribe para inspirar a otros a convertirse en mejores seres humanos.

Reviews

[Janet Balletta · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Purple Shell is an adorable children's book about a little girl and her mother who clean up the beach. What starts out as an ordinary beach day turns into an extraordinary beach clean-up day after the young girl is upset by the trash she finds on the sand. The girl and her mother work hard to pick up the trash and clean up the debris. It culminates in the mother and daughter going for a swim and discovering a beautiful purple shell in return for their good deed. The book has gorgeous illustrations, is bilingual (English/Spanish), and comes with extended learning activities. 5 stars for The Purple Shell!

[Frances · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Purple Shell by Maritza Martinez Mejia is a charming bilingual children’s book and a valuable educational resource. The story is of an endearing mother-daughter duo on a special mission once they arrive at the beach and learn that it’s been trashed! Having worked all day, their efforts are rewarded with a delightful discovery in the water. What could it be? You’ll have to read the book to find out. Maritza has done a wonderful job writing this story in both languages English and Spanish and highlighting keywords. The illustrations are colorful and charming! The vocabulary list and comprehension questions can be found in the back matter of the book as well as coloring pages! This book serves as a fun and educational resource while highlighting the importance of caring for our beaches making this book a wonderful addition to any child’s book collection. It is also perfect for bilingual readers and/or Spanish or English language learners. Add this title to your home or classroom library today.

[Daria · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book. Especially the enchanting illustrations that take the reader on a trip to the beach on a sunny, beautiful day! Sadly, the presence of trash and garbage on the blissful beach threatens to mar their day until the characters decide that they are going to take action! I love the age appropriate ecological message of the book and the idea that a mother and her child work together to make a difference in their world.

The bilingual text is so easy to read in both languages that it is perfect for early learners in either English, Spanish or both languages. This book is an absolute charmer for picture book lovers and early readers!

[Jen Clark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Star is excited to be having a day at the beach but when she gets there, she is shocked by the amount of litter everyone has left behind. To make certain the litter doesn't damage the wildlife, she spends her day working hard to clean it all and recycle the rubbish. Her hard work is rewarded when she uncovers a beautiful purple shell.
This book is bilingual and has an important environmental message too for children age 3-6. There is a fact section and a colouring section at the back for interactive fun.

[Maritere Rodriguez Bellas · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is never too early to teach children to care about our planet. In this sweet bilingual story, the young reader is inspired to care and protect the beaches from littering. Star’s fun beach day with Mom becomes a must cleaning day first, because of all the garbage they encounter at the beach. When Star finds a beautiful purple shell inside the sparkling ocean, they feel rewarded for all their hard work. Colorful and poignant illustrations bring the story to life. Questions and facts at the end spark further conversations and another teaching opportunity. A book that belongs in every home and local library!

Nunca es demasiado temprano para enseñar a los niños a preocuparse por cuidar nuestro planeta. En este cuento bilingüe, los pequeños lectores van a aprender como proteger las playas de la basura tirada por otros. El día divertido en la playa se convierte en un quehacer antes de divertirse, por toda la basura que Star y se mamá encuentran en la playa. Después de limpiar, ellas son recompensadas al encontrarse en con una concha de mar púrpura. Bellas ilustraciones complementan el texto a la perfección. Las preguntas y datos al final puede generar más conversaciones sobre como cuidar nuestro medio ambiente.

[Maritza Mejia · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Purple Shell invites us to become ecologically aware to protect the beaches. This bilingual tale (English & Spanish) is based on a true story. Contains coloring pages, facts, and questions to take care of our planet, our common home.
The author and the project "LuzDelMes Ecotales" invite you to be aware of how to take care of the planet.

La concha de mar púrpura nos invita a tomar consciencia ecológica para proteger las playas. Este cuento bilingüe (inglés & español) se basa en una historia real. Contiene páginas para colorear, datos y preguntas para cuidar nuestro planeta, nuestra casa común.
El autor y el proyecto "Cuentos Ecológicos LuzDelMes" invitan a tener conciencia de cómo cuidar el planeta.

[Camelia Kuhn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story teaches children the importance of protecting the environment, working together, and finding joy in doing what is right. It is a simple yet powerful reminder that even small acts of kindness can make a big difference.