Herman the Helper

  • Type: Books
  • By: Robert Kraus
  • Age Category: Children
  • Genre: General Fiction
  • Recommended by: Kate N.
  • ISBN/UPC: 0133871274
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A quiet children's lit gem from the 70s

I was initially interested in this book to use at my storytimes, but what makes it a great book in general makes it a not-so-great book for storytime: The illustrations are small, detailed and thoughtful, gently challenging the reader to take their time and figure out what is happening on each page. Herman is a helpful octopus who lends a hand (or eight) to everyone around him: his parents, his siblings, the needy, even his enemies. He’s so helpful that he even helps himself. Amid the happy, intricate illustrations there is a certain bygone simplicity to this tale of a cheerful fellow who wants to make everyone's life a little easier.