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Crazy Crab
Steve is no ordinary Hermit Crab. He has a big dream... to be an astronaut and fly in space! His friends and family think he is crazy. They don't send crabs into space. Will Steve have "the right stuff" to be sent on a daring mission to Mars? Can he work hard to beat mischievous mice and mad monkeys to ride a rocket to the red planet? Only time and training will tell in this hilarious story of a crazy crab who wants to reach for the stars.
- GenresPicture Books
28 pages, Hardcover
First published August 22, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
July 30, 2017
I received a free copy from the author and voluntarily reviewed it
When I got an e-mail about whether I wanted to review Crazy Crab I wasn't sure what to expect. But something about the concept just sounded so fun, so I decided to have a look. Before I knew it I had finished the book. I don't normally read or review picture books, so it's hard to know what's normal in this genre. But I figure I'll just share my thoughts about this one and hopefully that helps.
Crazy Crab was a short read at only 15 or so pages, but it was a fun short read and I think kids will enjoy it. And I think a shorter length is normal for these types of books? The artwork is really well done, it all looks great and the drawings are fun to look at. I liked the style of the artwork and every page does look nicely drawn and polished. There are also some little details in the artwork and nice little touches that make the pictures fun to look at.
The story was simple, but entertaining. It follows the story of a hermit crab who has a very successful job and makes a lot of money, but he isn't happy. He wants to go to Mars and he's doing everything to make that possible.
I did feel like the story went by a bit fast. And while the initial set-up got a lot of pictures/ pages, but I would've liked a bit more about how the crab tried to get to Mars. The last part seemed a little bit rushed.
There are some fun jokes in the book and it has an uplifting tone. It also has a bit of a message to follow your dreams and maybe even how money doesn't always make you happy, but it doesn't really get put too much emphasized, just sort of woven into the story. So seems to be the core of what this book is about, as well as a crab who might be a bit crazy and dreams big.
To summarize: This was a fun and short read. I don't normally read children picture books, so I had no idea what to expect, but I decided to give the book a look to see what I thought and had finished it before I even realized I had decided to read it all. It was a cute read and the artwork looks great. I think kids will really enjoy this book. It also has a bit of a message woven into the story about following your dreams and it has an uplifting tone.
When I got an e-mail about whether I wanted to review Crazy Crab I wasn't sure what to expect. But something about the concept just sounded so fun, so I decided to have a look. Before I knew it I had finished the book. I don't normally read or review picture books, so it's hard to know what's normal in this genre. But I figure I'll just share my thoughts about this one and hopefully that helps.
Crazy Crab was a short read at only 15 or so pages, but it was a fun short read and I think kids will enjoy it. And I think a shorter length is normal for these types of books? The artwork is really well done, it all looks great and the drawings are fun to look at. I liked the style of the artwork and every page does look nicely drawn and polished. There are also some little details in the artwork and nice little touches that make the pictures fun to look at.
The story was simple, but entertaining. It follows the story of a hermit crab who has a very successful job and makes a lot of money, but he isn't happy. He wants to go to Mars and he's doing everything to make that possible.
I did feel like the story went by a bit fast. And while the initial set-up got a lot of pictures/ pages, but I would've liked a bit more about how the crab tried to get to Mars. The last part seemed a little bit rushed.
There are some fun jokes in the book and it has an uplifting tone. It also has a bit of a message to follow your dreams and maybe even how money doesn't always make you happy, but it doesn't really get put too much emphasized, just sort of woven into the story. So seems to be the core of what this book is about, as well as a crab who might be a bit crazy and dreams big.
To summarize: This was a fun and short read. I don't normally read children picture books, so I had no idea what to expect, but I decided to give the book a look to see what I thought and had finished it before I even realized I had decided to read it all. It was a cute read and the artwork looks great. I think kids will really enjoy this book. It also has a bit of a message woven into the story about following your dreams and it has an uplifting tone.
August 2, 2017
Before we get to the review, lets take a moment to appreciate the photographs that accompanied the review request for Crazy Crab.....
How is it at all possible to say no after this picture.
Crazy Crab was a surprise request, and it hadn't even been picked up on my radar, so before I actually got to the above photograph I wasn't sure if I was going to read Crazy Crab or not. But one look at the photograph convinced me I HAD to read this book.
Crazy Crab is a very short book, with pictures and easy to read words. The pictures within the pages were nothing short of amazing, bright and bold, and easy to connect to the words.
I really liked how we get to see the personality for Steve, and how good he is at his job.
Steve has a dream and he is determined not to let anything get in his way. His determination to prove others wrong and work hard for this once in a lifetime opportunity is clearly shared in the pages and although he may be a crab, I really did admire him for this, as well as the 'lesson' that is shared from this book.
Final Verdict
I loved Crazy Crab and I can't wait to share this book with my niece and work babies.
How is it at all possible to say no after this picture.
Crazy Crab was a surprise request, and it hadn't even been picked up on my radar, so before I actually got to the above photograph I wasn't sure if I was going to read Crazy Crab or not. But one look at the photograph convinced me I HAD to read this book.
Crazy Crab is a very short book, with pictures and easy to read words. The pictures within the pages were nothing short of amazing, bright and bold, and easy to connect to the words.
I really liked how we get to see the personality for Steve, and how good he is at his job.
He was number one in sales of sea shells by the sea shore. If your little nippers had left home and you were looking to downsize. Steve was your crab.
Steve has a dream and he is determined not to let anything get in his way. His determination to prove others wrong and work hard for this once in a lifetime opportunity is clearly shared in the pages and although he may be a crab, I really did admire him for this, as well as the 'lesson' that is shared from this book.
Final Verdict
I loved Crazy Crab and I can't wait to share this book with my niece and work babies.
August 21, 2017
Crazy Crab is a short, fun, children's picture book by Mark Evans, with illustrations by Steve Page.
Crazy Crab is about Steve, an excellent Hermit crab marketer, who "can sell fried calamari to a squid", but who is unhappy with his life despite his success.
Steve is a crab with a dream, an ambition to become an astronaut. All his friends think he is crazy to dream such a dream, but Steve, with his hard work and strong ambition, ignores them and works hard to attain his goal.
Crazy Crab is a beautiful story with a lesson at the end. If you work for it, your dream will become a reality.
The illustrations are vibrant, interesting and exciting.
Full of hope and encouragement, Crazy Crab a must-read for all children and parents.
Note: I received a free copy of Crazy Crab by Mark Evans in exchange for an honest review.
Crazy Crab is about Steve, an excellent Hermit crab marketer, who "can sell fried calamari to a squid", but who is unhappy with his life despite his success.
Steve is a crab with a dream, an ambition to become an astronaut. All his friends think he is crazy to dream such a dream, but Steve, with his hard work and strong ambition, ignores them and works hard to attain his goal.
Crazy Crab is a beautiful story with a lesson at the end. If you work for it, your dream will become a reality.
The illustrations are vibrant, interesting and exciting.
Full of hope and encouragement, Crazy Crab a must-read for all children and parents.
Note: I received a free copy of Crazy Crab by Mark Evans in exchange for an honest review.
December 31, 2017
Reviewed by Russ (age 5) for Reader Views Kids (12/17)
“Crazy Crab” by Mark C. Evans is about this crab who was really good at his job, but it’s hard for him to get out of his shell when he is sleeping, because even though he’s good at his job, he doesn’t get to do what he really wants to do. He wants to become an astronaut! Even though everyone calls him crazy, he somehow becomes an astronaut. He wrote a letter after finding a message in a bottle asking for assistance for someone to go to the moon.
I liked the drawings in the book. For example, the pearl looks like a real pearl. I also liked that Steve (the crab) was able to be an astronaut and live his dream. I did not like that I don’t know how he became an astronaut.
I love the art because I want to be an illustrator, too. I like all the colors that Mr. Page uses.
I believe all kids around the ages of five to six would like “Crazy Crab” by Mark C. Evans. I also did like the lesson in the book—you can follow your dreams.
Dad’s Notes
My son seemed to enjoy this book a lot. I think other kids his age will enjoy this book. There is one part of this book that stands out to me as really weird, though. Once we are introduced to Steve the Crab’s desire to be an astronaut, it shows that he worked hard and then it shows that he was better than all the other animals—it goes really fast and seems to downplay the amount of trial and error that something like this would take. I like the idea of “follow your dreams,” but everyone who’s followed their dreams also has had to struggle and fail along the way to achieve those dreams. I think a failure should have been included along the way (especially since Steve was successful at everything he ever did, ever).
“Crazy Crab” by Mark C. Evans is about this crab who was really good at his job, but it’s hard for him to get out of his shell when he is sleeping, because even though he’s good at his job, he doesn’t get to do what he really wants to do. He wants to become an astronaut! Even though everyone calls him crazy, he somehow becomes an astronaut. He wrote a letter after finding a message in a bottle asking for assistance for someone to go to the moon.
I liked the drawings in the book. For example, the pearl looks like a real pearl. I also liked that Steve (the crab) was able to be an astronaut and live his dream. I did not like that I don’t know how he became an astronaut.
I love the art because I want to be an illustrator, too. I like all the colors that Mr. Page uses.
I believe all kids around the ages of five to six would like “Crazy Crab” by Mark C. Evans. I also did like the lesson in the book—you can follow your dreams.
Dad’s Notes
My son seemed to enjoy this book a lot. I think other kids his age will enjoy this book. There is one part of this book that stands out to me as really weird, though. Once we are introduced to Steve the Crab’s desire to be an astronaut, it shows that he worked hard and then it shows that he was better than all the other animals—it goes really fast and seems to downplay the amount of trial and error that something like this would take. I like the idea of “follow your dreams,” but everyone who’s followed their dreams also has had to struggle and fail along the way to achieve those dreams. I think a failure should have been included along the way (especially since Steve was successful at everything he ever did, ever).
March 25, 2018
This book was entered in The Wishing Shelf Book Awards. This is what our readers thought:
Title: Crazy Crab
Author: Mark C, Evans
Star Rating: 5 Stars
Number of Readers:
Stats
Editing: 10/10
Writing Style: 10/10
Content: 10/10
Cover: 10/10
Of the 22 readers:
22 would read another book by this author.
22 thought the cover was good or excellent.
22 felt it was easy to follow.
22 would recommend this story to another reader to try.
22 felt the pacing was good or excellent.
22 thought the author understood the readership and what they wanted.
Readers’ Comments
‘Such a sweet story. Young children will love it.’ Primary teacher, aged 27
‘I like a picture book with a strong message. The message in this colourful story: ‘never give up on your dreams’ is so important. Excellent job!’ Primary teacher, aged 34
‘The crab is funny. I loved him.’ Boy, aged 6
‘The words were perfect for this age group. The illustrations were colourful, bright and fun. The story was light with a good central message. I read it with my reception class and they liked it very much.’ Female teacher, aged 33
‘So much happens. I like it when the story is exciting. This was exciting.’ Girl, aged 7
To Sum It Up:
‘Fabulously fun with a strong and important message. A SILVER medal winner and highly recommended.’ The Wishing Shelf Book Awards
Title: Crazy Crab
Author: Mark C, Evans
Star Rating: 5 Stars
Number of Readers:
Stats
Editing: 10/10
Writing Style: 10/10
Content: 10/10
Cover: 10/10
Of the 22 readers:
22 would read another book by this author.
22 thought the cover was good or excellent.
22 felt it was easy to follow.
22 would recommend this story to another reader to try.
22 felt the pacing was good or excellent.
22 thought the author understood the readership and what they wanted.
Readers’ Comments
‘Such a sweet story. Young children will love it.’ Primary teacher, aged 27
‘I like a picture book with a strong message. The message in this colourful story: ‘never give up on your dreams’ is so important. Excellent job!’ Primary teacher, aged 34
‘The crab is funny. I loved him.’ Boy, aged 6
‘The words were perfect for this age group. The illustrations were colourful, bright and fun. The story was light with a good central message. I read it with my reception class and they liked it very much.’ Female teacher, aged 33
‘So much happens. I like it when the story is exciting. This was exciting.’ Girl, aged 7
To Sum It Up:
‘Fabulously fun with a strong and important message. A SILVER medal winner and highly recommended.’ The Wishing Shelf Book Awards
August 8, 2017
Crazy Crab by Mark Evans is a delightful children’s book that follows the life of Steve the hermit crab. It starts out by telling us that Steve is not the average hermit crab as the illustrations show him surfing in front of a crowd on the beach before showing us that he is the best at his job, which is selling homes mostly. Even though Steve is very good at what he does, he doesn’t want to sell anymore; he wants to follow his dreams to be an astronaut. I read this to my 3 and 4 year olds, and while my daughter liked it, my son loved it even more. The illustrator, Steve Page, made the illustrations very colorful and whimsical; upon looking at it again while writing this review, I came across a funny item Steve put in one illustrations that my son sidetracked me from seeing because he focused on the rocket ship; in the left hand bottom corner of the page is a cute but funny drawing that is sure to make adults laugh. Crazy Crab is excellent in teaching our children to not listen to what others have to say and follow your dreams; as there will always be people in this world that will try to convince you that you can’t do something, but Steve shows us that with hard work and determination, your dreams can come true!
August 23, 2017
An exciting tale, which shoots off with a very adventurous crab.
Steve has a pretty nice life, but he dreams of more. Despite what his friends and family say, he's ready to chase his dream and shoot off into space. But the adventurous that await him are more than he ever expected them to be.
This is a cute, bright and simply fun read. Steve is a crab, easy to love. The fact that he's a hermit crab is sure to grab young reader's interest, especially since he has such high hopes. The adventure is fast paced and perfectly worded for young listeners. Every page draws in with something new and tons of imagination.
The illustrations are bright and have enough extra details to bring kids back time and again. The atmosphere comes across well, letting the scenes come to life. The pictures mix well with the text, and especially the humor is sure to bring a few giggles.
At twenty-eight pages, it's a quick read, but it's definitely an exciting one. There was a little missing about Steve's actual trip but kids will love every minute of this space tale.
I received a complimentary copy and enjoyed it enough to want to leave my honest thoughts.
Steve has a pretty nice life, but he dreams of more. Despite what his friends and family say, he's ready to chase his dream and shoot off into space. But the adventurous that await him are more than he ever expected them to be.
This is a cute, bright and simply fun read. Steve is a crab, easy to love. The fact that he's a hermit crab is sure to grab young reader's interest, especially since he has such high hopes. The adventure is fast paced and perfectly worded for young listeners. Every page draws in with something new and tons of imagination.
The illustrations are bright and have enough extra details to bring kids back time and again. The atmosphere comes across well, letting the scenes come to life. The pictures mix well with the text, and especially the humor is sure to bring a few giggles.
At twenty-eight pages, it's a quick read, but it's definitely an exciting one. There was a little missing about Steve's actual trip but kids will love every minute of this space tale.
I received a complimentary copy and enjoyed it enough to want to leave my honest thoughts.
January 21, 2018
My four year old wants to be an astronaut (astronaut-paleontologist, specifically, haha) so this book caught my eye because of its message of becoming anything you want to be through hard work. I enjoyed the way Steve the real-estate-selling crab character is set up, there's lots of clever wordplay, along with a brief introduction to the animal space program. I would've liked a little bit more of Steve's time in space but overall thought the book was great.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews