Acclaimed children's author and illustrator, Eric Carle,
presents a simple story based on the true habits of a hermit crab, but it is
also a great lesson for children facing the inevitable - growing up. The
pictures are a collage of earthy colored paint, pen, marker, fabric, paper and
other materials combined to add texture to a creative display of marine life. The
story sounds smooth and playful when read aloud thanks to plenty of funny
adjectives and alliteration. Hermit Crab outgrew his shell, so he spends the
entire book making his new shell just the way he wants it - only to outgrow
that one as well!
Children will relate to Hermit Crab's triumphs, tribulations, and
frustration, since kids are constantly redefining themselves as they get older, learning more, and meeting new people. "He had felt safe
and snug I his shell . . . it was frightening out in the open sea without a shell to
hide in." Hermit Crab made friends along the way who helped him make his shell
his own. The sea anemones, starfish, and coral latched to the sides of his
shelling beautifully decorating it, while the fierce sea urchin and sturdy pebbles
protected his house, and the lantern fish lit it up. Each time Hermit
Crab outgrows his shell he is more confident in his search for the next shell,
just as children's confidence grows with each life challenge they face and
overcome.
My niece and I have read this book together while she was learning the months of the year. Each page
names a new month, and it takes Hermit Crab a full year to outgrow and leave
behind the shell he took a whole book to decorate.
-- Audra