Sharing a Shell
By Julia Donaldson
The Story
A hermit crab finds a brand-new shell and refuses to share it with a blobby purple anemone and a tickly bristleworm — until rock-pool life turns out tougher than he expected.
Why It's Special
For the kid who guards their favorite toy fiercely and needs a nudge toward sharing, Crab's story lands the lesson without ever feeling like a lecture.
- Big idea: Nobody makes it on their own — even the toughest little crab needs housemates.
- Vibes: Bouncy, briny, and full of rhyming rock-pool energy.
Perfect For Kids Who
- are working on sharing and taking turns
- love rhyming verse with a bouncy rhythm
- enjoy stories about sea creatures and rock pools
- respond well to a character who learns to change his mind
Ask Your Little Reader
- Story & problem-solving: Why didn't Crab want to share his new shell with the anemone and the bristleworm at first?
- Feelings & empathy: How do you think the anemone and bristleworm felt when Crab said no?
- Real-life connection: Can you think of a time when sharing something made things better for everyone?
- Imagination: If you found a brand-new shell like Crab, who would you want to share it with?
- Predicting: What do you think made Crab realize he needed his housemates after all?
