The Speaking Seashell

"The Speaking Seashell" portrays the importance of the bond between youth and elderly, told in a "kid friendly" manner. The story begins with the introduction of Jordan, a little boy who has trouble making friends. One day at the beach, Jordan finds a seashell and discovers he can talk with his very first friend by speaking into the shell. This new friend happens to be Mabel, an 80 year-old woman of a different culture than Jordan. They instantly become friends and develop a very deep bond, sharing stories and playing games together. But as Jordan gets older and finds new friends, he becomes more distant with Mabel and eventually stops talking to her. Years later, Jordan finally realizes the profound impact Mabel had on him, but is no longer able to reach her from the seashell. As time continues to pass, Jordan has a daughter of his own and gives the shell to her in hopes of rekindling its magic. Through this, the legacy of the speaking seashell lives on, continuing to capture the special moments of intergenerational bonds.

Author Statement: There is really something special about the bond between youth and elderly; I have learned this partly through my years of work at a nursing home. Seeing the face of a resident, especially on one of their tougher days, light up in the presence of a child is something indescribably heartwarming. Likewise, I have seen residents in memory care have the ability to recall specific things from their past to pass on to their grandchildren. I genuinely think both our young and older generations can impact each other in ways much greater than we currently appreciate. The prominence of these intergenerational bonds is really the message I want to get across with this story. I truly hope this book can encourage kids to get to know their grandparents and elders a bit more and make this important connection early on in their lives!