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.

House for Hermit Crab

ANNOTATION

A hermit crab who has outgrown his old shell moves into a new one, which he decorates and enhances with the various sea creatures he meets in his travels.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

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.

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly

Hermit Crab moves out of his small shell on the sea floor, in search of a new residence. When he finds a bigger place, a sea anemone offers to move in with him; a starfish agrees to decorate the joint. A snail and a sea urchin are employed for cleaning and protection, a lantern fish for lighting and smooth pebbles are used for a wall. Hermit lives happily for a while, until it is time to move again, to a still larger place. Carle's underwater neighborhood is snug, dynamic and full of possibilities. Droplets of color enrich the sea bottom and blades of seaweed are superimposed on the bright white background, in pictures that are occasionally quite abstract, but always engaging. All ages. (March)

Publishers Weekly

Just right for a board book, Eric Carle's A House for Hermit Crab takes his tale of a crustacean in search of a new shell home to youngest readers. PW wrote, "Carle's underwater neighborhood is snug, dynamic and full of possibilities." Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.

Children's Literature - Marilyn Courtot

While reading about the hermit crab that moves to successively larger shells, children who have experienced change in their lives such as moving or starting in a new school will be able to relate to and laugh at its trials. It is a modern-day fable that is based on the habits of the hermit crab and also describes the wonders of marine life. It is beautifully illustrated with Carle's collage art. Since there is quite a bit of text for a board book it is a rather small type size and is really not a book that young children will read. Parents and caregivers will need to read the text, but the kids will love the art, which in itself tells the story. For those who are interested there are excellent descriptions of the marine life featured in the book on the last page. This book could also be quite useful in programs where kids have the ability to read the text, but do not have the fine motor skills needed to handle a less substantial book. 2004 (orig. 1987), Simon & Schuster, Ages 2 to 5.

Children's Literature - Marilyn Courtot

As the hermit crab moves to successively larger shells, children who have experienced change in their lives such as moving or starting in a new school will be able to relate to and laugh at his trials. A modern-day fable that is based on the habits of the hermit crab; the book also describes the wonders of marine life and is beautifully illustrated with collage art.

School Library Journal

PreS-Gr 2 Hermit Crab, having outgrown his old shell, sets out to find a new one. He's a bit frightened at first, but over the course of the next year acquires not only a shell, but also an array of sea creatures to decorate, clean, and protect his new home. The story ends with him once again outgrowing his shell. He finds a new ``tenant'' to look after his friends and sets off on a new adventurea big empty shell with ``so many possibilities.'' This simply-told fable is replete with gentle messages about growing, moving on, accepting new challenges, interdependence, and building self-confidence. It is beautifully illustrated and designed in bold, full-color, distinctively Carle collages. Carle includes a little factual information about the various sea creatures mentioned in the story at the end of the book. A good solid picture book with many story hour and bibliotherapy possibilities. Luann Toth, Summit Free Public Library, N.J.