With the support of SENACYT and "Educators Connecting Research to the K-16 Classroom," four stories based on the Smithsonian's tropical studies were created primarily for students and educators in grades 3-6th grade. A slipper snail tale is part of this series and is based on research into the veliger larvae by Dr. Rachel Collin, a marine biologist at the Smithsonian Institution.

In history, the veliger larvae of a slipper shell are released into the ocean where they encounter microscopic biodiversity, the mystery of metamorphosis, and scientists working to learn about the larvae of different species and subspecies. His discoveries throughout his journey increase the knowledge of both the reader and the characters.