Kermit the Hermit (1965) is a story of personal growth. Bill Peet's main character, a crab (not a hermit crab!), is selfish and mean. His fight for survival in Monterey Bay has made him greedy. "Unless it is cured sometimes greediness grows . . ." Kermit's cure comes by way of a life-and-death experience. His genuine gratitude for having been saved pushes him out of his comfort zone, and he walks far from the shoreline into a deeper part of the bay. "So Kermit kept on till he came to a ledge Where he stopped to peer cautiously over the edge." And this risk changes his life. When his world becomes less self-centered, he discovers a self larger than his personal cave full of clutter. The illustrations feel dated, but the rhyme remains entertaining.
Caffeine and Colored Pencils has Contraction Crabs. childrenarethefuture has Crab Name Tags. Drawing with John has How to Draw a Blue Crab.
My Picture Book Talk lesson for this book is here.
