Well-travelled crab inspires children’s book
A KuGompo hermit crab’s travels to Johannesburg inspired an illustrated book which took three weeks to create.
Randburg SPCA inspector Aimee Baxter has authored and illustrated a children’s book, If Crabs Could Fly, inspired by the rescue of a hermit crab named Shellvis.
The book details Shellvis’ journey to the Randburg SPCA after being taken from a KuGompo beach to Johannesburg by visitors, and how various stakeholders, a flight crew, and radio stations united to return him to his natural habitat.
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Baxter, who was part of the care team that looked after Shellvis, said she wanted to tell the story in a way children could connect with.
“Illustrations bring a story to life and allow children to use their imaginations while developing a connection with the character,” she said. “I also felt that this was a lovely opportunity to introduce children to the world of animals and encourage them to see that even the smallest creatures are special and deserving of kindness.”
She said the book means a great deal to her because it grew from a real experience close to her heart.
“Working in animal welfare has given me the opportunity to encounter so many different animals, each with their own needs and stories,” she said. “Being able to take one of those experiences and turn it into something that may inspire people to care more deeply about animals is incredibly special, but also a reminder that sometimes the smallest encounters can inspire something wonderful.”
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Reflecting on the process, she said writing the story, drawing the illustrations, structuring the narrative chronologically, and navigating publishing took three weeks. She added that this has opened the possibility of creating more books, as she is currently working on three animal rescue stories that encourage standing up for those who cannot stand up for themselves.
For more details on how to get copies of the book, contact Aimee Baxter on 072 882 6686.
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