A House for a Hermit Crab [Hardcover]

Eric Carle (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Eric Carle's magnificent collage illustrations invite readers and viewers on a breathtaking underwater tour where brilliantly-colored sea creatures dazzle and delight the eye. His modern-day fable is both wise and simple; based on the true habits of the hermit crab, it not only introduces young readers to the wonder and beauty of the marine environment but also contains an encouraging message for small children facing the inevitable challenges of growing up.

Hermit Crab's problem is that he keeps outgrowing things. When he outgrows his first shell-house, he's a bit scared. The next one he finds is big enough -- but depressingly bare. To his happy surprise, all sorts of beautiful and useful undersea neighbors come to his aid and decorate and protect his home. Finally, the new house is perfect but now it, too, has become too small! Once again, Hermit Crab must move on. But this time he is not only bigger -- he is more self confident. While he is sorry to leave his friends and his familiar shell behind, he now sees the future as full of exciting possibilities.

Children who must change schools, move to a new town, or even just be promoted to a higher grade will empathize with Hermit Crab's situation, and will take heart as they see that growing up is not really so alarming after all.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

"Time to move," said Hermit Crab one day. "I've grown too big for this little shell." Much-loved master of cut-paper collage Eric Carle created A House for Hermit Crab to comfort any little ones (okay, and adults, too) who dread change--whether the new shell is a new home, a new school, or a new experience. In this soothing, upbeat story, Hermit Crab casts his eyestalks on a newer, bigger shell, but it seems plain and unwelcoming at first. When he meets some beautiful, swaying sea anemones, he asks if one of them will come to adorn the outside of his shell. In time a colorful sea star, some coral, an industrious sea snail, a fortress-protecting sea urchin, and an illuminating lantern fish all join forces with him, making his house a home. Much to his dismay, just when his dwelling and new family fit him to a T, he finds he's physically outgrown his shell yet again. Instead of bemoaning his fate, he eagerly spots a newer, bigger shell--to him a fresh, blank artist's canvas--and relishes the thought of all the undersea home-improvement possibilities: sponges, barnacles, clown fish, and more! Kids will love Carle's rich, affectionate portrayal of Hermit Crab's ocean odyssey, and the gentle story may help them see that giving up the old for the new is not a loss, but an opportunity. (Ages 4 to 8) --Karin Snelson

From 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.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers (August 20, 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0887080561
• ISBN-13: 978-0887080562
• Product Dimensions: 11.5 x 8.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (32 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #306,850 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Eric Carle is acclaimed and beloved as the creator of brilliantly illustrated and innovatively designed picture books for young children.


Eric was born in Syracuse, New York, in 1929, and moved with his parents to Germany when he was six years old. After graduating from art school, he returned to America, the land of his happiest childhood memories, and found work as a graphic designer.


After seeing an advertisement designed by Eric, respected educator and author, Bill Martin Jr, called to ask him to illustrate a story he had written. Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?, with its distinctive collage style, was the result of their collaboration. This favorite was the beginning of Eric Carle's true career. Soon Eric was writing his own stories, developing a close bond with Ann Beneduce, the founder of Philomel Books, who would be his editor for nearly 40 years. In 1969 they published the celebrated classic, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, which has eaten its way into the hearts of literally millions of children all over the world and has been translated into more than 30 languages. Since this beginning, Eric Carle has illustrated more than seventy books, many best sellers, most of which he also wrote.


The secret of Eric Carle's books' appeal lies in his intuitive understanding of and respect for children, who sense in him instinctively someone who shares their most cherished thoughts and emotions. He says "I believe the passage from home to school is the second biggest trauma of childhood; the first is, of course, being born.
Indeed, in both cases we leave a place of warmth and protection for one that is unknown. The unknown often brings fear with it. In my books I try to counteract this fear, to replace it with a positive message. I believe that children are naturally creative and eager to learn. I want to show them that learning is really both fascinating and fun."


Eric Carle has two grown-up children, a son and a daughter. He and his wife Barbara divide their time between Massachusetts and Florida.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars hermit crab faces challenge of growth and the unknown, February 1, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: A House for a Hermit Crab (Hardcover)

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 !

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Possibilities are Endless!, June 3, 2000

By 

Tampanian Parrothead (Wesley Chapel, FL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A House for a Hermit Crab (Hardcover)

...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!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars So many great lessons in this book!, July 11, 2005

By 

L. Lee (Chicago, IL) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A House for a Hermit Crab (Hardcover)

My 3.5 year old son loves this book - we are typically reading it at least twice a day. I love that there is a since of time involved, as each page covers a month in the year. Great for a preschooler who is just learning to get a grip on the calendar. The hermit crab forms symbiotic relationships with other sea creatures; another great lesson. Also super fun to read out load with lots of opportunities to "do" the different voices. There is a glossary in back - perhaps a little advanced for a 3 yr old, but I enjoyed that the first time I read through the book - it will be good when my son is a little older. I like that, although our hermit crab has to eventually leave his friends behind in search of a new home, he is able to pass along his old home to a younger crab. All this with the style of illustrations that we have all come to love in eric Carle books, makes this one a big winner!