In Squirmy Hermie’s Heroics, a Crab Helps his Newfound Friends to Safety

by Tamira Thayne
Illustrated by C.A. Wulff

Snip, snip . . . snip, snip.

Squirmy Hermie poked his head out of his pink and yellow-painted shell, peering out into the darkening room. Where was that noise coming from? The store had closed for the night; the only sounds this late came from his newfound crab friends as they began their nocturnal hunt for food and entertainment.

And maybe a way out of here? The nagging hope slipped into his mind for the hundredth time since he’d arrived in this place only a few days earlier.

Snip, snip . . . snip, snip.

There it was again.

Squirmy and his friend Hairy had been taken, along with many others, from their beach homes in the Caribbean islands. Why? Where were they now? And how could they free themselves from this cage and the toxic shells they’d been forced into?

Will those who speak on their behalf help them to safety? Find out in Squirmy Hermie’s Heroics, the 4th volume in the Animal Protector series from author Tamira Thayne, with full color illustrations by C.A. Wulff.

Paperback ISBN: 978-1-946044-78-5

Buy in Paperback | Buy on Kindle| Download a Full, FREE, Hermit Crab Lesson for Teachers, Homeschoolers, and Humane Educators

Don’t Miss the Rest of the Animal Protector Series! This series shines a spotlight on animals in need of human protection, using fictional animal characters and action-packed storylines. Often, the highlighted animals are those whose plights have been ignored or overlooked by humans in today’s society.

One of the hallmarks of this refreshing new series is that the animals take steps to become their own heroes, and find their freedom again with the aid of caring people.

To date, there are four books in the series: the first out is Smidgey Pidgey’s Predicament, and follows two pigeon siblings who are birdnapped in New York City. What will become of Smidge and Ridge? Will they ever get home again?

The second, Spittin’ Kitten’s Speed-Away, follows a tiny orange kitten determined to bring help for his starving siblings and Mama; he soon gets stuck in a car engine and ends up miles away from home. Will Spittin’ ever find his family again?

Books Three and Four feature the plights of rodeo calves and hermit crabs, with more storylines planned for 2020-2021. The series, written by Tamira Thayne and illustrated by C.A. Wulff and Rhonda Van, is perfect for ages 8 and up. The books include vocab builders, and are great for humane education efforts; the series makes a wonderful gift for the young reader and animal lover in the family. Find links to all the series books via our website at http://www.whochainsyou.com.

Home Schooling, Schoolteacher, or Humane Educator? Don’t Miss this Full, FREE Hermit Crab Lesson for Grades 3-5

by Tamira Thayne

Lesson Link

The author has created a complete lesson to accompany the book, which can take 1-3 hours of class time, depending on activities chosen. We hope you’ll enjoy it and spread the word!

Hermit Crab Helpers

Tamira was inspired to write Squirmy Hermie’s Heroics by the actions of a group called The Plight of the Hermies, who protested stores in Virginia Beach, Virginia on behalf of those without a voice. Check out their site and support their work today at http://www.plightofthehermies.org/

Hermit Crab Experts

Illustrator C.A. Wulff consulted the experts at Hermit Crab Owners for her piece at the end on meeting the needs of our crab friends. If you want to read more about hermit crabs and feel you’re ready to adopt a crabby friend, visit the group at https://www.hermitcrabowners.com/

About the Author

Tamira Thayne is an author, animal activist, and the founder and former CEO of Dogs Deserve Better, a nonprofit organization seeking an end to dog chaining.

She is also the founder of Who Chains You Books, publishing titles for those who believe people—and animals—deserve to be free. She is the author of Squirmy Hermie’s Heroics, Raffy Calfy’s Rescue, Spittin’ Kitten’s Speed-Away, Smidgey Pidgey’s Predicament, Happy Dog Coloring Book, Capitol in Chains, Foster Doggie Insanity, The Wrath of Dog, The King’s Tether, The Knights Chain, and The Curse of Cur. She is also the editor of More Rescue Smiles, and co-editor of Unchain My Heart and Rescue Smiles.

Tamira lives by a river in the woods of northern Virginia, with her husband, daughter, one dog, five cats, and hundreds of outside birds and critters she adores from afar.

About the Illustrator

C. A. Wulff has been involved in pet rescue for over twenty-four years, volunteering with Ohio humane group Valley Save-a-Pet. An author, artist, and animal advocate, Wulff uses her art and writing to spread the joy of the human/canine bond. Her books, Born Without a Tail: the Making of an Animal Advocate and Circling the Waggins; How 5 Misfit Dogs Saved Me from Bewilderness, chronicle her personal journey of animal rescue. Her books How to Change the World in 30 Seconds and Finding Fido are guides for animal advocates and pet parents. You can follow her on her blog “Up on the Woof”, where she shares biscuits of dog-related info. [thewoof.wordpress.com] Wulff currently resides in one of our nation’s National Forests with her lifemate and five dogs. She attributes her love of animals to having been raised by Wulffs.