A House for Hermit Crab

by Eric Carle

Book Overview

Poor Hermit Crab He's outgrown his snug little shell, so he finds himself a larger one -- and many new friends to decorate and protect his new house. But what will happen when he outgrows this shell, and has to say good-bye to all the sea creatures who have made Hermit Crab's house a home? Children facing change in their own lives will relate to Hermit Crab's story -- and learn a lot about the fascinating world of marine life along the way.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0689848943
• ISBN13: 9780689848940
• Release Date: April 2002
• Publisher: Aladdin Paperbacks
• Length: 32 Pages
• Weight: 0.39 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.1" x 7.7" x 10.7"
• Age Range: 5 to 8 years
• Grade Range: Kindergarten to Grade 3

Customer Reviews

Great for Moving Away

Beautiful Eric Carl illustrations and a simple story about a hermit crab making friends and decorating his new shell. Was recommended when we were preparing for a move. This is a great book for that! Also enjoyable even if you are not moving.

Another ERIC CARLE masterpiece!

Art + story = gorgeous fun. Carle’s art is unique. His stories are too. Great circle time read for preK - 2nd grade students.

A Hermit with style

This hermit is great. He wants to make his home(shell) more homey so he finds friends(sea stars...) and things to help him in his quest. Soon he grows to big for the place he has made so comfortable. Unfortunately nobody likes change but it often occurs and this hermit crab helps children understand that it is going to happen, but you can make the best of it. Carles crab turns the sad situation of losind something that he loves into a great new adventure of decorating a whole new shell. This situatio can be related to many life experiences and may help children to relate.

A wonderful book for ALL ages!

This book is so good - and a wonderful allegory for anybody facing a life change. A child will enjoy the simple story of a hermit crab looking to decorate his shell, and all the creatures who agree to help him. But the sub-context of change - and greeting it with enthusiasm - is what draws me to this book. I plan on buying it for my son when he enters kindergarten this fall, and will give it to others who will be facing similar challenges.

The Possibilities are Endless!

...And that it is what this book is teaching children. No matter where you go or what new situations you might face, there are always new and exciting possibilities to which one should look forward. On another level, it is an endearing story about a growing hermit crab, illustrated with the typically spectacular Eric Carle drawings. My 5 1/2 year old daughter loves ALL his books!

Only genius can make the art and message seem so simple.

I love the way the hermit crab decorates his house and then asks for the new owner to take care of it as he moves on to a larger house which he will decorate, too. Eric Carle's collage is so colorful and fun. For hermit crab lovers P.HERMIT CLAIMS A CASTLE joins the books on this subject with a little different twist, an enrironmental message that marine creatures belong in their natural habitat. It is different because P. Hermit has to face a fantasy world outside his habitat interfacing with some turtles before he finds the home of his dreams in his natural habitat. But it has a place in the library with all the wonderful hermit crabs like Eric Carle's wonderful house decorator.

hermit crab faces challenge of growth and the unknown

A little hermit crab must find a new home and discovers new friends and possiblities in the process. The book has lots of other goodies such as different sea creatures to count,colors,names of the month and is a nice tie-in to a beginning marine life book if you want to explore that too. You can read this one many times and still enjoy !