Crabby Crab

Crabby Crab is the result of reminiscing about entertaining grandchildren at the cottage with walks on the beach.

The sea creatures mentioned in the book - the crab, starfish, mussel and barnacle - are all common to the seashore and easily identified. Children can emphasize readily with shovelling sand, placing the living animals in the bucket to take home as "pets". They can relate to the grown-ups "eeew" and suggestions to take their findings back to the beach.

The illustrations entail a learning component - tube feet in the starfish, feathery legs on the barnacle that capture food, threads that attach mussels to a surface and the ebb and flow of the tide. The delightful illustrations are enlivened by the artist's familiarity and enjoyment of the beach. The hand printing of the text adds to the book's appeal.

The story ends with a gentle reminder that nature may be enjoyed while leaving it unharmed.

Please visit Ruth's website at www.crabbycrab.ca

Ruth (Peterson) Howard was born in 1923, grew up in Fredericton, NB and was educated at the University of NB (BSc '44) and the University of BC (MEd '79). Before marriage she was employed in the groundfish investigation at both the Atlantic (St. Andrews, NB) and the Pacific (Nanaimo BC) Biological Stations.

Married in 1951 to Bob, they raised four children: Peter (wife Brenda and Gregory and Nicole), Claudia (son Blair), Carol (husband Leo and Cyan and Coco). The book, Crabby Crab, is dedicated to the memory of their elder son, Carlyle.

When asked about hobbies, Ruth would claim they are family and friends. She and Bob have enjoyed travels at home and abroad, involvement in community and church affairs, socializing with friends, especially at bridge, and best of all, sharing happy times with their grandchildren.

Ruth has always enjoyed writing - letters, articles (some of which were published) and lately, email with cyber pals around the world. To have a book published in her 80th year is a dream fulfilled.