A House for Hermit Crab

Narrated by Will Damron, this animated adaptation of acclaimed children's author Eric Carle's 1987 picture book is peppered with Carle's customary colorful speckle patterning. In January, a too-snug hermit crab finds that it's “time to move,” and after entertaining various “what if's” tied to a fear of being out in the open on the sea floor, has by February found a good-fitting strong new shell house. But the crab thinks the new homestead looks a little plain, and over the next few months it coaxes various other sea creatures—including a sea anemone, starfish, snail, and lantern fish—to help spruce up the place. After building a protective wall of sturdy pebbles during October, by November the shell is starting to feel a bit too small…. A sweetly simplistic tale about sharing, cooperation, and creativity (“Oh, there are so many possibilities! I can't wait to get started!”), bonus features include a read-along option and a factual segment on the creatures featured. Highly recommended. Aud: K, E, P. (J. Williams-Wood)