If You Give A Crab A Seashell
illustrations by
What’s inside...
If you give a crab a seashell, she'll want to go to the beach. But where else will she want to go after that?
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
0-11
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think the crab felt when it received the seashell?
Why do you think the crab wanted a seashell?
How do you think the story would change if the crab was given something else?
What would you give to the crab if you met it?
How do you think the crab and its friends can use the seashell?
Tip: Role play these questions
Before reading the book, ask your child what they know about crabs and seashells to activate prior knowledge.
While reading, pause at key moments to ask your child to guess what might happen next, enhancing their predictive skills.
Encourage your child to reflect on the crab’s feelings and motivations throughout the story to build empathy and understanding.
After reading, connect the story to your child’s experiences by discussing a time when they received a special gift and how it made them feel.
Suggest drawing a picture of a new adventure for the crab, using the seashell, to foster creativity and extend the book’s themes.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The value of sharing
Explanation: In 'If You Give A Crab A Seashell,' the crab shares his seashells with other sea creatures, demonstrating the joy of sharing with others.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to share their own belongings, such as toys or snacks, with friends and siblings to foster a positive and cooperative environment.
Example Lesson: Creativity and resourcefulness
Explanation: The crab uses the seashells to build and create things, which shows how one can be creative with the resources available.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to use their imagination in playing and solving problems, using everyday items around them creatively.
Example Lesson: The importance of kindness
Explanation: Throughout the story, the crab’s acts of kindness not only bring happiness to other creatures but also to himself, illustrating the reciprocal nature of kindness.
Real-World Application: This can inspire children to practice acts of kindness daily, understanding that their actions impact the feelings of others and can also bring them personal happiness.
Example Lesson: Understanding and appreciating differences
Explanation: The crab interacts with various creatures, all different from him, which teaches about diversity and acceptance.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to appreciate diversity among their peers and learn to respect and celebrate differences in others.
Example Lesson: The joy of exploration
Explanation: The crab’s journey of collecting and utilizing seashells showcases the adventure in exploring new things.
Real-World Application: This urges children to be curious and explore the world around them, whether it’s trying new activities or learning about different cultures or environments.