[BOOK REVIEW] Kermit the Hermit by Bill Peet

Title:  Kermit the Hermit

Author:  Bill Peet

Genre:  Animals / Drama / Compassion

Year Published: 1965

Year Read:  2016

Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Company

Source:  Library

Content Rating:  Ages 5+ (Some Scary Sequences)

Buy on:  Amazon  //  Book Depository 

I always have a fondness for Bill Peet’s works as they are always teaching the reader about lessons in life in a family friendly way that both kids and parents can enjoy reading about. One of the most recent books that I had read from Bill Peet, “Kermit the Hermit” actually discusses about the importance of sharing in one of the most endearing ways ever written in any children’s books!

Kermit was not really a hermit crab, but he behaved like an old crabby hermit due to how greedy he is as he is always taking various items from the citizens of Monterey Bay and hoarding the items in his cave.  One day, Kermit spotted a battered tin can by the shore and he wanted to take it, until he met up with a dog.  When Kermit pinched the dog’s nose to protect himself, the dog started to dig up a hole to put Kermit inside it.  Kermit then thinks that he is about to meet his end when suddenly a young boy comes up and rescues Kermit from the dog and puts him back into the sea.  Kermit was so grateful for the boy’s heroic act that he wanted to do something special for the boy to express his gratitude, but he cannot figure out a way to repay the boy.

What will Kermit give the boy to show his gratitude for saving his life?

Read this book to find out!

I never would have thought that Bill Peet would create a story about the importance of sharing with so much vigor and inspiration that I found myself being moved by Kermit the Hermit’s goals in trying to repay a young boy’s kindness for saving his life!  I loved the way that Bill Peet developed Kermit’s character as Kermit went from being a greedy and cranky old crab to being a determined and kindhearted crab that wants to desperately repay a young boy for his kindness. The progression with Kermit’s character was done in such a natural way that I was really rooting for Kermit to give the boy his gift.  I also loved the way that Bill Peet teaches children the importance of sharing with other people and how such an act can make a person feel so good about themselves since they have done an honorable deed that would help other people.  Bill Peet’s artwork is truly gorgeous to look at as I loved the images of Monterey Bay as you can see wildlife such as seagulls and pelicans in the sky and exotic fishes in the sea.  The image that really stood out to me in this book was of the halibut as it look truly terrifying and I was worried about Kermit getting hurt by the halibut!

Parents should know that there are some scary sequences in this book where Kermit is put into real danger such as nearly being buried alive by a dog and avoiding the larger and more menacing fish in the sea.  Parents might want to read this book first before reading it to their children to see if they can handle the scary sequences.

Overall, “Kermit the Hermit” is a truly wonderful book about the importance of sharing that children will learn from. I would recommend this book to children ages five and up since the scary sequences might scare smaller children.