The magic conch shell toy is a popular item that has captured the imaginations of children and adults alike. This enchanting toy resembles a real conch shell but has the ability to provide mystical answers to questions asked by its users. It functions as an oracle, offering guidance and advice in a whimsical and fun way. The magic conch shell toy works through a simple mechanism. When someone asks a question, they gently shake the shell and then open it up to reveal a small printed message inside. This message is the response from the shell, providing an answer to the question asked.
This message is the response from the shell, providing an answer to the question asked. The responses range from affirmative answers like "Yes" or "Definitely," to negative answers such as "No" or "Don't count on it," and even ambiguous answers like "Maybe" or "Ask again later." Many have found amusement and entertainment in using the magic conch shell toy.
Magic Has No Borders (Hardcover)
This fantasy and science fiction teen anthology edited by Samira Ahmed and Sona Charaipotra contains a wide range of stories from fourteen bestselling, award-winning, and emerging writers from the South Asian diaspora that will surprise, delight, and move you. So read on, for after all, magic has no borders.
A pair of star-crossed lovers search for a way back to one another against all odds . . .
A girl fights for her life against a malignant, generations-old evil . . .
A peri seeks to reclaim her lost powers . . .
A warrior rebels against her foretold destiny . . .
With stories by:
- Sabaa Tahir, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Ember in the Ashes series, and winner of the National Book Award and Printz Award for All My Rage
- Sayantani DasGupta, New York Times bestselling author of the Kiranmala and the Kingdom Beyond series
- Preeti Chhibber, author of Spider-Man’s Social Dilemma
- Sona Charaipotra, author of Symptoms of a Heartbreak and How Maya Got Fierce, and coauthor of The Rumor Game and Tiny Pretty Things, now a Netflix original series.
- Tanaz Bhathena, award-winning author of Hunted by the Sky and Of Light and Shadow
- Sangu Mandanna, bestselling author of The Very Secret Societyof Irregular Witches and the Celestial Trilogy
- Olivia Chadha, author of Rise of the Red Hand
- Nafiza Azad, author of William C. Morris Award nominee, The Candle and the Flame
- Tracey Baptiste, New York Times bestselling author of The Jumbies series and Minecraft: The Crash
- Naz Kutub, author of The Loophole
- Nikita Gill, bestselling author of Wild Embers and Fierce Fairytales
- Swati Teerdhala, author of the Tiger at Midnight trilogy
- Shreya Ila Anasuya, New Voices selection
- Tahir Abrar, New Voices selection
About the Author
Samira Ahmed is the New York Times bestselling and award winning author of the young adult novels Love, Hate, & Other Filters, Internment, Mad, Bad, & Dangerous to Know and Hollow Fires. She is also the author of the middle grade fantasy duology Amira & Hamza and the Ms. Marvel: Beyond the Limit comic series. She was born in Bombay, India, and grew up in Batavia, IL in a house that smelled like fried onions, garlic, and potpourri. She has lived in New York, Chicago, and Kauai, where she spent a year searching for the perfect mango. She invites you to visit her online at www.samiraahmed.com and on Twitter and Instagram @sam_aye_ahm.
Sona Charaipotra is the author of Symptoms of a Heartbreak and How Maya Got Fierce and coauthor of The Rumor Game and Tiny Pretty Things, now a Netflix original series. She earned a master’s degree in screenwriting from NYU and an MFA in creative writing from the New School. A working journalist, Sona has held editorial roles at People, TeenPeople, ABCNews.com, MSN, several parenting publications, the Barnes & Noble Teen Blog (RIP), and, most recently, as senior editor of trends and features at Parents.com. She has contributed to publications from the New York Times to TeenVogue. She is a former We Need Diverse Books board member, and she cofounded CAKE Literary, a boutique book packager focused on high concept diverse titles. Find her on the web talking about books, Bollywood movies, and chai.
Sangu Mandanna was four years old when she was chased by an elephant, wrote her first story about it, and decided this was what she wanted to do with her life. Seventeen years later, she read Frankenstein. It sent her into a writing frenzy that became The Lost Girl, a novel about death and love and the tie that binds the two together. Sangu lives in England with her husband and son.
Tracey Baptiste is the New York Times bestselling author of the middle grade novels Minecraft: The Crash, The Jumbies, Rise of the Jumbies, and The Jumbie God’s Revenge. A former elementary school teacher, Tracey is now on the faculty at Lesley University’s creative writing MFA program. Raised in Trinidad until she was fifteen, she now lives with her family in New Jersey. You can visit her online at traceybaptiste.com.
Swati Teerdhala is a storyteller at heart. After graduating from the University of Virginia with a BS in finance and BA in history, she tumbled into the marketing side of the technology industry. She’s passionate about many things, including how to make a proper cup of tea, the right ratio of curd to crust in a lemon tart, and diverse representation in the stories we tell. The Tiger at Midnight is her debut novel. She currently lives in New York City. You can visit her online at www.swatiteerdhala.com.
Praise For…
“A collection of fantastically diverse South Asian stories reimagining and recentering ancient tales by beloved and well-known names from young adult literature as well as intriguing new voices. this anthology pushes the boundaries of fantasy, drawing on a broad range of settings, figures, and tales from South Asian religions, mythologies, and history. engrossing, and entertaining.” — Kirkus Reviews
"This collection of short stories featuring South Asian characters and magic fills a void while celebrating culture and genre. As short story collections go, this strong selection featuring South Asian characters is joyous and original. Add it to the shelf." — School Library Journal
"Editors Ahmed and Charaipotra have gathered a host of South Asian authors and illustrators to create a marvelous anthology, with fourteen fantasy and science fiction stories that deeply explore legends, myths, and historical events, all reimagined from different regions and cultures in the South Asian diaspora. Readers will indeed find magic within this breadth of stories." — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
- Young Adult Fiction / Short Stories, Collections & Anthologies
- Young Adult Fiction / Fairy Tales & Folklore / Anthologies
- Young Adult Fiction / Fantasy
- Young Adult Fiction / People & Places / Asia
- Young Adult Fiction / Science Fiction
A pair of star-crossed lovers search for a way back to one another against all odds . . .
It adds an element of mysticism to everyday situations and can spark creativity and imagination. People enjoy taking turns asking the shell questions and eagerly awaiting the quirky responses. In popular culture, the magic conch shell toy has made appearances in various forms of media. One notable mention is in the animated television show SpongeBob SquarePants, where the characters often consult a magic conch shell to make decisions. This portrayal has contributed to the toy's popularity and recognition among fans of the show. While the magic conch shell toy is primarily seen as a playful item, some individuals may genuinely believe in its supposed powers and consult it for guidance. These individuals may attribute meaning to the responses given by the shell, treating it as a form of divination or fortune-telling. Overall, the magic conch shell toy is a delightful and whimsical item that brings joy and entertainment to its users. Whether it's used as a simple toy or a playful oracle, it has fascinated people of all ages and continues to be cherished as a magical object..
Reviews for "How to Make Your Own Magic Conch Shell Toy"
1. John - 2 stars - I purchased the magic conch shell toy for my kid after hearing it was a popular toy among children, but to be honest, I was quite disappointed. The toy only has a limited number of responses, and after a couple of days, my kid got bored of it. Moreover, the voice of the conch shell is quite annoying, it sounds robotic and doesn't have a natural tone. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this toy if you're looking for something that will keep your child entertained for a longer period of time.
2. Emily - 1 star - I found the magic conch shell toy to be a complete waste of money. The concept of asking a shell for advice seems cute, but in reality, it's just a simple random generator of pre-recorded responses. There is no real magic or interaction involved. It quickly gets repetitive and doesn't offer any educational or developmental value for children. Save your money and look for a more engaging and stimulating toy.
3. Samantha - 2 stars - My child was initially excited to receive the magic conch shell toy as a gift, but the excitement quickly faded. The toy's responses are very limited and lack creativity. It's basically a one-trick pony that gets old fast. Additionally, the conch shell requires batteries, and changing them can be a hassle. I would recommend considering other toys before investing in this one. It simply doesn't live up to the hype.
4. Mike - 3 stars - While the magic conch shell toy has an interesting concept, I wasn't impressed with the quality. The shell feels cheap and the buttons are not very responsive. Sometimes, it takes a few tries to get a response, which can be frustrating for a young child. I would have expected better durability and functionality for the price. Overall, it's an average toy at best.