My Favorite Children’s Book: Kermit The Hermit by Bill Peet

“In Monterey Bay there’s a jumble of rock. Stacked up like a castle across from the dock…..There was never a crab who was one half as selfish, or one-tenth as mean as this crusty old shellfish”-Bill Peet

Kermit the Hermit is a story of a miserly old crab in the Monterey Bay who is rescued from a terrible fate one day by a young boy.  Kermit decides he needs to repay the heroic young boy for saving his life.  The crusty shellfish soon finds himself on an adventure! Most importantly, however, Kermit discovers that the greatest gifts are not what we receive but what we give.

I love this story!  Through his endearing storytelling and charming sketches, Bill Peet teaches children important lessons such as sacrifice and giving.  His illustrations and story captured my heart as a little girl, and still do every time I read it as an adult.

My brothers and I were introduced to this book when we were little.  My mother loved reading stories to us as kids.  An avid reader, she was never without a great story for bedtime, or for a rainy afternoon curled up with us by the fire and some chocolate chip cookies.  Sound like a scene in a book?  Well, it kind of was.  She was and is the dearest mother-thank you Mumzy!

Reasons why I love this book!!

First, the setting is Monterey Bay.  We spent a lot of time on family trips in Monterey as kids, so I think it helped us all get into the story even more.  To this day it brings back memories of the sea lions and pelicans down by the pier; the smell of fresh fish and saltwater, and the sounds of seagulls squawking and searching for scraps.

Secondly, The illustrations are wonderful!!  Bill Peet spent much of his career working for Disney.  So it’s no surprise that his sketches are full of personality and charm!  I particularly love the charming portrayal of the old Monterey neighborhood with all the telephone wires crossing, and seagulls flying!!  There’s a unique charm he brings out in those little colorful sea shanties in what was at one time old Monterey.

Third, The moral of the story.  Giving and not forgetting those that have helped us.  Also, even the crankiest of hermits, such as Kermit, can have a change of heart!

Fourth, The characters!  Just like his drawings, the characters are full of personality.  Kermit the Hermit is the perfect cranky old crab. He’s cantankerous, but still instantly loveable!

Fifth, animals!  I loved the dog, the crab, fish, the pelican….. I don’t want to give it away by introducing any more characters. But I always learned more from stories told through animals.  Maybe it was because I think kids have a kind of trust with animals that even as a child we don’t quite have with some people.  And maybe that was just me. But I think there is something endearing when an important life lesson is told through the eyes of an animal.

Kermit the Hermit is no exception.

Read it!  I know you’ll love it!

P.S. I have scientific evidence this book is good! I read it to a group of first-graders at work and they gave it a thumbs up! Scientific Evidence!!

*If anyone would like to learn more about author and illustrator Bill Peet, you can visit the website www.billpeet.net*