Author/Illustrator: Chris Haughton
Publisher: Candlewick Press, 2020
Age: 3-6
Themes: crabs, ocean, fear
Opening: see image below.
Summary: (from my library catalog) Little Crab and Very Big Crab live in a tiny rock pool near the sea. Today they’re going for a dip in the big ocean. ‘This is going to be so great,’ says Little Crab, splish-splashing and squelch-squelching along, all the way to the very edge. Then comes a first glance down at the waves. WHOOSH! Maybe it’s better if they don’t go in?
I am a fan of all of Haughton’s books: the bright colors, their juxtaposition, the composition, and the understated humor!
Resources/activities: Talk about what fears we have and reasons why we might have them, as well as strategies we can use to overcome as well as accept them. Make colorful shadow puppets using harmonious colors (colors that sit next to each other on the color wheel) – like THESE
For more Perfect Picture Book Friday picks with teacher/parent resources, check out the list on Susanna Hill’s blog HERE.
julie rowan-zoch 
Julie, I’ve seen this one before. But I appreciate it so much more after your review. Thank you. I’ll need to find it again – once I can
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It’s pretty new – last month – but his style for a number of his books is very similar.
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What a beautiful book. Small children will relate to the overwhelming feeling of the vast ocean! Good way to talk about fears and introduce them slowly. Lovely review.
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And with creatures that fascinate – I loved catching hermit crabs at the beach as a kid – and letting them go.
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I really like those big blocks of color. And the humor is a nice touch. Will add this to my already teetering TBR list. Thanks!
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