A House for a Hermit Crab [Hardcover]

Eric Carle (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Release date: August 20, 1991 | Age Range: 5 and up

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.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Age Range: 5 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Picture Book Studio (August 20, 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0887080561
• ISBN-13: 978-0887080562
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 0.5 x 11.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (50 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #833,705 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.

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

Format: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

Format: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

Format: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!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Hermit with style August 29, 2004

By Nichole Stahmer

Format:Paperback

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.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful book for ALL ages! February 20, 2002

By A Customer

Format:Hardcover

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.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Only genius can make the art and message seem so simple. October 3, 1999

By A Customer

Format:Hardcover

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.

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A great recyler! July 19, 2008

By Judy K. Polhemus TOP 1000 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback

In the spring my niece bought a hermit crab for her three children (no pets allowed where they live). With it she bought a larger shell for the future. It is hand painted in red, white, and blue. Since then the hermit crab moved out of his original house into his patriotic one. She also bought this book to go with the actual living, breathing hermit crab.

"A House for Hermit Crab" is another in the line of books by Eric Carle, featuring bright colors, imaginative design, repetitive patterns, and educational stories that so appeal to children.

Let's count the ways that this book is highly recommended:

1. Bold, vivid colors

2. Twelve calendar months to suggest time and life patterns that correspond with the passing of time

3. Life cycle of hermit crabs: I didn't know anything about them until my niece bought one and this book. I certainly didn't know they had to find their own houses!

4. Unspoken support for recycling! How many times is a hermit's crab house re-used after the snail stops its use and crabs take over?

5. The concept of continuous change and having a positive attitude toward change.

6. Taking the simple and making it your own, through decoration in this case.

7. Carle's explanation of hermit crabs on the title page and a glossary in the back for the various creatures the crab meets on his year-long journey.

My goodness, this book is awesome! My heart swells for the life of a simple hermit crab. This book celebrates him!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A House for Hermit Crab October 30, 2001

By Michael G Kliewer

Format:Hardcover

You will enjoy reading about this crab who takes his time in selecting just the right house. "A House for Hermit Crab" encourages reasoning and thinking skills for the young listener (aged 2-6). This book will help give your Eric Carle library a new protective shell.