Click here to buy this book! Kindle Edition Amazon Lulu Olivia's Magic Conch Inpattizimswords.com Category:  Children Publisher: Xlibris ISBN-10:  1436336473 Type: Fiction Pages: 106 Copyright: Oct 8, 2008 ISBN-13: 9781436336475 Price: $2.99 (eBook) Jack, a marine biologist gets called away to work on his project in the Caribbean on Olivia's eleventh birthday; the day they begin their annual search for the elusive magic conch. An unfortunate mishap occurs resulting in Jack falling overboard. One year to the day of the accident finding solace in her dad's teachings and her memory of the promise he made, Olivia resumes the search on her own unaware of the mystical adventure about to unfold and what she will find. A fable with a curve offers readers age ten and up a chance to help solve the ongoing problems of trash on our beaches which ends up in the water endangering fish and bird life.  Engrossed in the adventure, the reader learns how to help ensure the safety of marine-life by eliminating potentially hazardous conditions.. and adopt the concept of preserving the beaches and oceans for future generations. A close knit family with a quest to find the Magic Conch takes you on an incredible mystical adventure,where the sea's inhabitants become instrumental characters in making us aware of an ongoing problem. A flashback to piracy in the 1600s takes you from the Jersey Shore to the Caribbean in search of the magic conch shell.   If you are a beach go'er with fond memories you will grin and nod quite a bit.  If you love the beauty of it all, you will agree drawing attention to 'cleaning up' is vital to humans as well. And if you've never been to the beach you will get there soon.  After reading this factual fable and learning all we derive from the oceans, in sustanence, medicine, scientific  studies and pleasure, the kids will be out there spreading the word, through their own actions.                                  Excerpt The sand up by the boardwalk was so hot Olivia had to run fast not to burn her bare feet. The quick jog over the burning hot sand was no easy task but soon she was down by the water's edge where the sand was cool, wet and firmly packed. Grandpa followed at a slower pace laughing heartily when he saw Olivia turn to look for him. He pointed to his feet which were clad in beach shoes, reminding her she should not be barefooted. "The girl will never learn," he said, shaking his head. She'll say,"Oh Gramps, you know how much I like the feel of the sand between my toes; just like my dad. Apples don't fall far from the tree, you know." She had him there, "Kids too smart for her own good, because that is what I alwways say." He chuckled out loud, prompting a stange look from a couple leaving the beach. Olivia wouldn't admit it but she did wish she had worn the beach shoes Mom just bought her. Soon Grandpa arrived where she had planted herself on the beach. He made himself a seat by molding the damp sand much as you would when building a castle. He scooped and patted the sand until it resembled a backrest,taking full advantage of the downward slope at the water's edge. When it felt good he threw the old striped towel he used for this purpose over the top and sat down feeling the coolness of the sand beneath it. "Ahhh, this is worth the hike. I'll never understand why people bother to lug a beach chair and sit way up by the boardwalk, where there is less of a breeze. They burn their feet on the way to the water, cool off in the waves and then by the time they walk back to their chair they are hot and dry again. Sure beats the heck out of me." Olivia laughed,"Me too," she agreed because he was right.

Olivia's Magic Conch
Given the current state of the debate over the environment,P.A. Zimmerman's Olivia's Magic Conch is that rare thing- a children's book that actually ties into current events without seeming forced. Zimmerman nicely ends her book with a simple plea for protecting the seas, and her love of nature and of the Jersey shore comes through on nearly every page of her book. Judge's commentary, 18th annual Writer's Digest SPBA

It all began with...THE WART
A great read,perfect for the busy reader. I laughed so hard,tried to solve the mystery but failed,put the book down, and laughed some more. Gay or straight it is very entertaining without any harm.