Customer Reviews

Sharing a Shell

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This is one of those books that you see in the bookstore and think...mmmm - "a bit gimmicky". It even comes with a sticker that states "there's glitter on every page". Now this is a sure-fire way to catch your little one's attention but in my experience this type of book is not destined to become a classic in children's literature. Having said that however, I reluctantly bought this book as my two year old appeared to have fallen in love with it. It turns out that my almost five year old son LOVES it. It's a very tactile experience reading it and the pictures are lovely (same illustrator as Aaaaaaargh! Spider!). You just can't help running your hands over all the glittery pictures. The text is nothing to write home about but the rhymes slip off the tongue easily enough.

It tells the tale of a little hermit crab who is none too pleased about sharing his shell with an anenome and a bristle worm. This storyline has of course been churned out many times before but it still provides a good opportunity to discuss the concepts of sharing and symbiotic/commensal relationships etc. with your child. As long as you don't expect anything too original, this book makes a nice little addition to any child's library (particularly for a girl who will no doubt love the glitter which IS very well done).

I miss the Axel Scheffer illustrations of the others, but this is a first class, well told, beautifully rhyming tale with a great message about sharing, and the sparkly illustrations are fun too. Amazing how the characters, especially "brush", can shine through so vividly in such a simple tail

Julia Donaldson does lovely, quirky rhymes, and this is one of the nicest ones, Illustrated ably by Lydia Monks, it is one of the 'glitter on every page' books - but will be suitable for girls and boys

The story of a hermit crab who is looking for a home and quickly manages to escape from a gull despite being tossed out of other shells. He learns to share with an anemone who sits on the outside of the shell and helps protect the crab from other animals, and then they share with a bristleworm who cleans. However - as they grow too big they argue and move out together.

Finally a storm comes and destroys their separate homes, however there is a lovely new shell and they all learn to share again.

Done in Donaldson's wonderful rhyming cadence, it is easy for children to quickly learn the text and repeat it with you, or in parts.

The illustrations were quite inspiring for my girls who went off and cut out shapes themselves to do a multimedia collage like Lydia monks does.

A Lovely engaging story for all the family with a nice line in humour.

I bought this book for my baby when he was only about 4 months old and he absolutely loves it. It was his first book!

The glitter illustrations obviously attracts their attention and feels great when they run their hands over the pictures. Also some of the pictures use collage photographs which gives it a realistic look - my son loves the rock pool pictures especially.

The length of the book is perfect to read to a baby that's mostly more interested in crawling off and exploring. The text is fun to read and has a nice rhythm to it.

I highly recommend this book to parents. Your baby will love it:-)