What do you think?
Rate this book
Sherman Swaps Shells
Sherman, a young hermit crab, finds that shopping for a new shell isn't easy, especially when his mother prefers solid, sensible styles while he wants a shell with huge spikes.
- GenresChildrens
48 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2001
1 person want to read
About the author
Jane Clarke
153 books36 followersSee also pseudonym Hayley Daze.
Jane was born 17 December 1954 and brought up in Kettering, Northamptonshire, England. From 1972 to 1975 Jane attend the University of Birmingham where she earned a combined Bachelor of Arts with honours in archaeology and history. In 1981 she completed a PhD in archaeology from University College London.
On 5 November 1977 Jane married Chemical Engineer Martin Clarke, whose work took them to Mexico, Brazil, the United States, Wales and the Netherlands. Together they raised two sons, Andrew and Robert (both born in Wales).
During her doctoral studies Jane lectured at University College London (1978–79). Thereafter she lectured at University College Cardiff in Wales part time (1981–83), and also taught history at Bryn Hafren School in Barry, Wales (1979–83). After Jane moved with her family to the Netherlands (Koewacht), she began working part time as a librarian at the Antwerp International School. It was during this time when she started her career as a children’s author.
Jane’s husband, Martin, died of a heart attack in Antwerp, Belgium on 20 December 2001. In June 2005, Jane moved from the Netherlands back to Kent (near Deal) in England where she now lives.
Aside from writing children’s books, Jane spends a significant amount of time inspiring children to read and write. She frequently visits schools throughout the UK and Europe to do so.
Jane Clarke is a team writer on three different popular series. Dinosaur Cove (series created by Working Partners Ltd. and published by Oxford University Press), Puddle the naughtiest puppy (series created by Working Partners Ltd. and published by Ladybird Books Ltd.) and Battersea Dogs and Cats Home (created by Random House Children's Books and published by Red Fox.)
Jane has also done support work for various charitable organisations including Ellenor Lions Children’s Hospice, Institute of Cancer Research (The Clapham Grand), Battersea Dogs and Cats Home and READ (promotes reading in Africa).
Jane was born 17 December 1954 and brought up in Kettering, Northamptonshire, England. From 1972 to 1975 Jane attend the University of Birmingham where she earned a combined Bachelor of Arts with honours in archaeology and history. In 1981 she completed a PhD in archaeology from University College London.
On 5 November 1977 Jane married Chemical Engineer Martin Clarke, whose work took them to Mexico, Brazil, the United States, Wales and the Netherlands. Together they raised two sons, Andrew and Robert (both born in Wales).
During her doctoral studies Jane lectured at University College London (1978–79). Thereafter she lectured at University College Cardiff in Wales part time (1981–83), and also taught history at Bryn Hafren School in Barry, Wales (1979–83). After Jane moved with her family to the Netherlands (Koewacht), she began working part time as a librarian at the Antwerp International School. It was during this time when she started her career as a children’s author.
Jane’s husband, Martin, died of a heart attack in Antwerp, Belgium on 20 December 2001. In June 2005, Jane moved from the Netherlands back to Kent (near Deal) in England where she now lives.
Aside from writing children’s books, Jane spends a significant amount of time inspiring children to read and write. She frequently visits schools throughout the UK and Europe to do so.
Jane Clarke is a team writer on three different popular series. Dinosaur Cove (series created by Working Partners Ltd. and published by Oxford University Press), Puddle the naughtiest puppy (series created by Working Partners Ltd. and published by Ladybird Books Ltd.) and Battersea Dogs and Cats Home (created by Random House Children's Books and published by Red Fox.)
Jane has also done support work for various charitable organisations including Ellenor Lions Children’s Hospice, Institute of Cancer Research (The Clapham Grand), Battersea Dogs and Cats Home and READ (promotes reading in Africa).
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
February 25, 2023
As a kid who hated shopping for new clothes, I relate (with a chuckle) to Sherman's equivalent for this crab tale: "I hate SWAPPING."
Such an ingenious, funny narrative: I laughed at Sherman's mom's offer to take him to "Urchin Express" after shopping. Just one of many LOLs, I assure you, Goodreaders! And, yes, parents may enjoy this book as a satire, not only a story with plenty of humor; adults may well find this story satirizes outfitting one's children.
Appreciating your fine work, author Jane Clarke and artist Ant Parker! I enjoyed meeting you through your work and then meeting you further through the interview-style bio at the end of this entertainingly educational book.
Such an ingenious, funny narrative: I laughed at Sherman's mom's offer to take him to "Urchin Express" after shopping. Just one of many LOLs, I assure you, Goodreaders! And, yes, parents may enjoy this book as a satire, not only a story with plenty of humor; adults may well find this story satirizes outfitting one's children.
Appreciating your fine work, author Jane Clarke and artist Ant Parker! I enjoyed meeting you through your work and then meeting you further through the interview-style bio at the end of this entertainingly educational book.
November 13, 2017
This story gets a two because I feel like Sherman's mom pretty much is not letting her child have any choice in his personal preference and it's not what I think we should teach our kids. Yes I see the parent side telling them no to somethings, such as things that are not the right size or are not yet age ready but in the end Sherman got a shell that he didn't seem crazy about. And just because she let him add his personal touch doesn't change that fact, I think this story could of had the same concept but told in a much better way.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews