Is This a House for Hermit Crab?

by Megan McDonald, S.D. Schindler (Illustrator)

Having outgrown his brown-spotted shell, Hermit Crab sets out on a hunt for a new house, finding a haven just in time to avoid a hungry pricklepine fish

Genres: Picture Books, Animals, Childrens, Science, Nature, Storytime, Education

32 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 1990

About the author

"Sometimes I think I am Judy Moody," says Megan McDonald, author of the Judy Moody series, the Stink series, and THE SISTERS CLUB. "I'm certainly moody, like she is. Judy has a strong voice and always speaks up for herself. I like that."

For Megan McDonald, being able to speak up for herself wasn't always easy. She grew up as the youngest of five sisters in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Her father, an ironworker, was known to his coworkers as "Little Johnny the Storyteller." Every evening at dinner the McDonalds would gather to talk and tell stories, but Megan McDonald was barely able to get a word in edgewise. "I'm told I began to stutter," she says, leading her mother to give her a notebook so she could start "writing things down."


Critically acclaimed, the Judy Moody books have won numerous awards, ranging from a PUBLISHERS WEEKLY Best Book of the Year to an International Reading Association Children's Choice. "Judy has taken on a life of her own," the author notes, with nearly 3 million Judy Moody books in print. Interestingly, the feisty third-grader is highly popular with boys and girls, making for a strong base of fans who are among Megan McDonald's strongest incentives to keep writing, along with "too many ideas and a little chocolate." And now -- by popular demand -- Judy Moody's little brother, Stink, gets his chance to star in his own adventures! Beginning with STINK: THE INCREDIBLE SHRINKING KID, three more stories, and his own encyclopedia, STINK-O-PEDIA, Stink's special style comes through loud and strong -- enhanced by a series of comic strips, drawn by Stink himself, which are sprinkled throughout the first book. About the need for a book all about Stink, Megan McDonald says, "Once, while I was visiting a class full of Judy Moody readers, the kids, many with spiked hair à la Judy's little brother, chanted, 'Stink! Stink! Stink! Stink! Stink!' as I entered the room. In that moment, I knew that Stink had to have a book all his own."


More recently, Megan McDonald has recalled some of her own childhood with the warmth, humor -- and squabbles -- of three spunky sisters in THE SISTERS CLUB.


Megan McDonald and her husband live in Sebastopol, California, with two dogs, two adopted horses, and fifteen wild turkeys that like to hang out on their back porch.

Reviews

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

repetitive scritch-scratch that kids can participate with. kinda long.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've always loved this particular story [3.5 for me], which has certainly stood the test of time, and has only been improved with new artwork. Created with watercolor, acrylic, fingerpaint, and collage, the illustrations bring the already engaging text and its main character, Hermit Crab, to vivid life. The plot concerns the crab's search for a home, and the use of onomatopoeia throughout makes his journey even more appealing, lifelike, and perfect as a read aloud. As Hermit Crab checks out various possibilities, including a rock, a tin can, driftwood, a plastic pail, a hole in the sand, and even a fishing net before finding just the right home to keep him safe from predators in the sea. Lines such as this one--"It was not too heavy, not too noisy, not too dark, and not too deep. It was not too crowded and it did not have too many holes" (unpaged)--add to the delight of reading this one as these words remind readers of the possible homes Hermit Crab considered and rejected. I revisited this title many years ago when I was working at Sparkle, a gifted program at the University of New Orleans, and one of the wonderful teachers there--Debbie Fox--read this one aloud to her students. I was touched by the story, reminded of my first encounter with it years before, and then wrote one of my first reflections about hermit crabs and how I related to them. Clearly, it retains all the magic it had before.

[Becca · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first time I read this book, the illustrator was S.D. Schindler, and it was a Reading Rainbow selection. This time around, the illustrator was Katherine Tillotson. I thought I recognized the storyline and title when I picked up the later version to catalog it , and realized it was the same book! Good selection for a story time related to animals and their features. Another good choice is "A House for Hermit Crab" by Eric Carle.

[Thomas Bell · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think the book was fun, but it was also terribly repetitive, and the reasons many of the houses didn't make sense were starting to seem a little lame. Too dark?

Also, the author was wrong about close relations. Yes, the hermit crabs aren't true crabs, but some argue that the king crabs are actually closer to hermit crabs than true crabs. And hermit crabs are closer to true crabs than lobsters. And much closer than pill bugs (which are Isopods, not Decapods like crabs and lobsters).

[Patricia N. McLaughlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful watercolor artwork of Hermit Crab and the seashore introduce young readers to marine biology through a crab’s quest for a suitable new home after outgrowing the old one. Watch out for prickly old Porcupine Fish! A Note from the Author describes the inspiration for the story and the artwork for this new, updated edition. End pages include more information about hermit crabs, porcupine fish, and intertidal creatures.

[Brigitte Brulz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked this cute story that followed a little hermit crab trying to seek a new home. He tries various items which don't work quite well until he finds the perfect home. I also liked the repeating words scritch- scratch, scritch-scratch which little kids can repeat along with the adult as reading.

[Shane Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so cute and a great read to young Elementary students! It lets the students follow along to the story of how the Hermit Crab is going to find his home which grabs their attention. The repetition of words and phrases is captivating as well!

Reading Level:
LEXILE - 710L
ATOS - 3.9

Traits:
Ideas

[June · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rounded up because I don't remember all the backmatter being in the original book, including a fun note on how a pet hermit crab from childhood led to the original book, a bunch of information on hermit crabs - huge variety of hermit crabs, live in groups, danger of trash for hermit crabs... - also information on Porcupine fish and Fiddler crabs and a list of sources for more information.

[Peacegal · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an updated version of a much-loved story of a hermit crab on the hunt for a new shell--one that will protect him from the hazards of life in the sea. Hermit crab tries many objects on for size, before finally discovering the perfect shelter.

[Aolund · Rating 4 out of 5]

A classic picture book re-released with new illustrations. Repetitive text with a good scritch-scratch, could be taken deeper talking about not leaving trash on beaches, etc.

Themes: Beach, Ocean, Homes, Caring for Earth
Age Range: Toddler-Preschool

[Terresa Wellborn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hermit crab has outgrown his shell and needs a new home. Does he find one at last? You'll have to read it and see.

Themes: hermit crabs, animals
Ages: toddler (shorten) - 1st grade
Pub year: 1990

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

I never read the original book, but I get why this book would get a revamp. The text is so appealing -- informative, but begging to be read aloud. I will say, I was underwhelmed by the illustrations. They are serviceable but not stellar.

[Alisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hits just the right notes as a children’s book. Expressively drawn main character with a problem to solve. Text that explains the action with a repeated section for the younger set to chime in on. Lots of explaining text at the end for older set or those who want to 'dive deeper'.

[Olivia Eaton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Family - Home and Family Storytime

[Miss Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

A hermit crab is looking for a new home and searching for just the right one. Elementary and up

[Shoshanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

So sweet!

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

From 1990 to 2024, I’m delighted to see this one get a reboot. Still fun, engaging, relevant, and reimagined for a new generation of readers.

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hermit crab looks for a home that is just right.

[Joanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have always loved this story and I am so glad it has gotten beautiful and fresh illustrations for a new generation.

[Julie Graham 47150 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shells are one of the habitats the first graders in my class study. We read fictional stories about hermit crabs and non-fiction books about many kinds of animals that live in shells. Along with "Moving Day" by Robert Kaplan and "A House For Hermit Crab" by Eric Carle, I read this book. My students love the predictability of the hermit crab's sounds. It also opens up the discussion to talk about why animals need certain characteristics in their homes.

[Sabrina Henry · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very popular children's book. It is about a hermit crab getting too big, hence outgrowing his shell. He searches for a new home but is met with some challenges. I often see a copy of it in many preschool classrooms and other classrooms for young children. It has attractive illustrations. The repetition can be used to enagage children and build their comprehension skills.

[Kelly Whelchel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Science Grade: 1 Fiction Topic: Hermit crabs

In these book it helps to show different types of homes. Use to explain the types of homes that a hermit crab may live in.

Possibly have a hermit crab in my class.

Have students draw their house. Have them also write about the type of house is right for us.

[Cortney Perkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story follows a hermit crab who has outgrew his shell. He searches the beach looking for a new shell. Before he finds the perfect new home he comes across many different objects. It is a repetitive story and would be a great read for younger children. Hermit crab has to find a place that fits him and his needs. I really enjoyed this book and would like to have it in my classroom library.

[Lynn Davidson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hermit crabs are fascinating little sea creatures that, every time they outgrow their shells, move into another sea creature’s discarded shell. In this story, a hermit crab tries out several possibilities while scuttling away from danger until it finds the right fit. In the back of the book are two pages of further interesting information - More About Hermit Crabs. Wonderful illustrations.

[Paula · Rating 3 out of 5]

When Hermit Crab outgrows his old house, he ventures out to find a new one.
Cute story and great for participation of the kids using sand paper (Julie M) for every time the crab walks through the sand and the sound is scritch-scratch

[Janet · Rating 3 out of 5]

When this was published it was considered nonfiction, but there is only slight information here about the hermit crab which seems to only center on the crab finding a new shell. Certainly there are other details to learn.

[Cat · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story always gets little ones attention during story times! They love guessing what will be a home for hermit crab. I usually pair up the story with lots of seashells, sand buckets and other beachy things.

[Emma Horn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is informational to kids about how hermit crabs grow and change shells. It is clever in the way that the story follows the crab around looking for a new home. This book has strong ideas and repetition that engages kids.

Ideas
Organization

LEXILE: 600L
ATOS: 3.9

[Theresa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Is This a House for Hermit Crab?
McDonald, Megan
This is a good story for teaching environmental change in the classroom. It will help the children connect to fiction books about sea life.

[Olson Family Matters · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun repetitive pattern in the text - Madelyn enjoyed reading and joining in: "Is THIS a house for hermit crab?? Noooo."