The Shell Keepers

About this book

Corrine adored Siya, her Sri Lankan grandfather, and misses him dreadfully since he died recently. They shared a love of the sea and a passion for beachcombing, so it’s only natural that he should be in her thoughts while she’s looking out for treasure at Whiteshell Bay.

What isn’t natural is picking up a particularly pretty shell and finding a tiny person inside! A tiny person, Kauri of the Democonch, who desperately needs help. 

She and her family have been separated because something is poisoning the sea and they cannot reach her. She is looking for the Shell Keeper. 

At first, Corrine doesn’t understand but then she and her cousin Anthony find strange riddles, a bit like treasure hunt clues, that seem to have been left by Siya. Maybe if they solve the riddles they might also find out what’s poisoning the water and reunite Kauri with her Democonch family.

Parallel stories - one about a family of miniature people and one about greed, activism and the environment - combine in this captivating story of love, loss and legacy.   

With echoes of The Borrowers, and a strong environmental message, this warm, sunny fantasy adventure celebrates diversity, tolerance and respect for the natural world.