"A House for Hermit Crab" by Eric Carle

My favorite part of this book is the message that it sends to its readers. It tells readers that change is often difficult but it turns out good in the end. In this book, Hermit Crab has outgrown his shell so he has to find a new one. His new shell is very plain and boring; in hopes to make it look nicer he meets many friends. Some of Hermti Crab's new friends include: sea anemones, starfish, corals, snails, sea urchins and lanternfish. Once his shell is finally completely decorated Hermit Crab is too big for it and must leave it for a bigger one. After giving his old shell to a smaller hermit crab in need, Hermit Crab gains a sense of happiness. He is glad that he was able to help out another hermit crab when they were in need. This book not only teaches its readers about accepting change but also about sharing and making friends. Some young readers may not know that hermit crabs have to leave their shells and search for bigger ones, so this book would teach them that. The progression of this book goes by month. This indicates the amount of time it takes a hermit crab to move along in the water. I thought it was interesting that the sea creatures that Hermit Crab encounters are ones that many children may have never heard of before. The lanternfish is one I was not familiar with before reading this book, and I now know that they glow and give light to other sea creatures. Another reason why I enjoyed this book is because of its pictures. Eric Carle's illustrations always keep me turning the page!