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Snake and Lizard #1
Snake and Lizard
From award-winning author Joy Cowley comes an engaging story of two unlikely, but inseparable friends. Snake is elegant, calm and a little self-centered, while Lizard is exuberant and irrepressible. Through a series of small (and not so small) adventures, the two friends bicker, compete with each other, go into business and finally, end up as lifelong friends.There is something the matter with your voice.Ga-runch! Ga-runch! said Snake. I've got a frog in my throat! she whispered. Lizard said, Oh, I know how to fix that, and he gave Snake a mighty slap on her back. The frog shot out of Snake s mouth. It landed in the grass and, quick as a blink, it hopped away.My supper! cried Snake. That was my supper!
96 pages, Paperback
Published June 1, 2007
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406 people want to read
About the author
Joy Cowley
1,496 books102 followersCassia Joy Cowley is a New Zealand author best known for her children's fiction, including the popular series of books Mrs. Wishy-Washy.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 83 reviews
August 21, 2008
I appreciate children’s books that acknowledge the bloodthirsty nature of the wild. Oh now look what I’ve gone and done. With one little sentence I’ve given you the impression that the book I’m about to discuss is a hardscrabble tale of animals fighting it out amongst one another in the wild. But Snake and Lizard isn’t like that. Not really. A collection of small, sweet little tales this book is a series of bedtime stories ideal for the literary child. A beautiful little package in and of itself, don’t be surprised when you find that the author manages to work quite a lot of humor out of the food chain. This may not be a rough and tough look at nature, but it certainly plumbs quite a bit of humor out of natural inclinations and instincts.
Snake and Lizard are friends and have been for some time. Really, it’s appropriate that the first time they met they got into a huge argument over who was blocking the path. These two friends tend to argue a fair amount but when all is said and done because it's their differences that keep life interesting. In a series of fifteen short stories, Snake and Lizard encounter bad moods, discuss ancient legends, and eventually come up with a business that suits their own individual talents well. The text is accompanied by artist Gavin Bishop’s full-color illustrations.
Reptilian buddy tales usually conjure up Arnold Lobel’s Frog and Toad tales before anything and everything else. Generally, it is rare to find early chapter stories like Snake and Lizard that involve animal protagonists where the two creatures are of opposite genders. Snake is a girl and Lizard is a boy, but this fact never really seems to affect Cowley’s plot in any way. Nor are the characters prone to any kind of stereotyping based on their sex. Snake, for example, can be a bit bloodthirsty in her quest for food.
To be honest with you, some of the tales in this collection work better than others. I was quite fond of the macabre and very funny twist at the end of the story “Secrets” and the subplot that threads through several stories involving Snake and Lizard trying to be “helpers”. I was less taken with tales like “In the Garden” and “The Bad Mood” that end too suddenly and with punch lines that don’t really work. As the book goes on, these flat falling stories appear less and less and Cowley’s voice becomes increasingly sure and steady. The author has a keen ear for a good line too. For example, there is the moment in “The Adventure” when Lizard complains to Snake at night that he’s bored. Attempting to get some sleep Snake replies, “When I’m sleep, I like being bored.” No arguments here.
To be perfectly honest with you, I was originally drawn to this book because of the illustrations. When I first saw Snake and Lizard I assumed that it would be similar to another early chapter book import of short animal related stories called Sheep and Goat by Marleen Westera. In that little bit of loveliness the short stories are accompanied by Sylvia van Ommen’s pen-and-ink illustrations, which is pretty standard these days. Imagine my surprise then when I found that all the stops had been pulled out and Bishop’s illustrations were rendered here in vibrant full color. Using a desert palette of bright reds, soft umbers, and sandy browns, Bishop’s watercolors pop off the page. Each two-page spread has at least one and sometimes two of these little jolts of hue and the endpapers (an amalgamation of different animal and insect characters that appear in these stories) are practically worth the price of the book alone.
For a book that was originally published in New Zealand, Bishop almost seems like he’s hedging his bets when it comes to certain illustrations. For example, there’s a long and lovely subplot that involves a ten-cent coin. This would probably be New Zealand currency, but Bishop keeps the view of the coin fuzzy enough that anyone from any nation that dispenses coins in the amount of ten cents can make the assumption that the story takes place in their own country. If they have snakes, of course. And lizards. Now that is forethought.
There is a certain breed of short chapter book almost perfectly designed for bedtime reading. Toys Go Out by Emily Jenkins is one of these. The aforementioned Sheep and Goat is one of these. And now Snake and Lizard can be one of these too. Sweet and simple little stories, the tales are touch and go for a while there but eventually they even out into a wonderful series of small stories. A lovely addition, a charming collection.
Ages 5-9
Snake and Lizard are friends and have been for some time. Really, it’s appropriate that the first time they met they got into a huge argument over who was blocking the path. These two friends tend to argue a fair amount but when all is said and done because it's their differences that keep life interesting. In a series of fifteen short stories, Snake and Lizard encounter bad moods, discuss ancient legends, and eventually come up with a business that suits their own individual talents well. The text is accompanied by artist Gavin Bishop’s full-color illustrations.
Reptilian buddy tales usually conjure up Arnold Lobel’s Frog and Toad tales before anything and everything else. Generally, it is rare to find early chapter stories like Snake and Lizard that involve animal protagonists where the two creatures are of opposite genders. Snake is a girl and Lizard is a boy, but this fact never really seems to affect Cowley’s plot in any way. Nor are the characters prone to any kind of stereotyping based on their sex. Snake, for example, can be a bit bloodthirsty in her quest for food.
To be honest with you, some of the tales in this collection work better than others. I was quite fond of the macabre and very funny twist at the end of the story “Secrets” and the subplot that threads through several stories involving Snake and Lizard trying to be “helpers”. I was less taken with tales like “In the Garden” and “The Bad Mood” that end too suddenly and with punch lines that don’t really work. As the book goes on, these flat falling stories appear less and less and Cowley’s voice becomes increasingly sure and steady. The author has a keen ear for a good line too. For example, there is the moment in “The Adventure” when Lizard complains to Snake at night that he’s bored. Attempting to get some sleep Snake replies, “When I’m sleep, I like being bored.” No arguments here.
To be perfectly honest with you, I was originally drawn to this book because of the illustrations. When I first saw Snake and Lizard I assumed that it would be similar to another early chapter book import of short animal related stories called Sheep and Goat by Marleen Westera. In that little bit of loveliness the short stories are accompanied by Sylvia van Ommen’s pen-and-ink illustrations, which is pretty standard these days. Imagine my surprise then when I found that all the stops had been pulled out and Bishop’s illustrations were rendered here in vibrant full color. Using a desert palette of bright reds, soft umbers, and sandy browns, Bishop’s watercolors pop off the page. Each two-page spread has at least one and sometimes two of these little jolts of hue and the endpapers (an amalgamation of different animal and insect characters that appear in these stories) are practically worth the price of the book alone.
For a book that was originally published in New Zealand, Bishop almost seems like he’s hedging his bets when it comes to certain illustrations. For example, there’s a long and lovely subplot that involves a ten-cent coin. This would probably be New Zealand currency, but Bishop keeps the view of the coin fuzzy enough that anyone from any nation that dispenses coins in the amount of ten cents can make the assumption that the story takes place in their own country. If they have snakes, of course. And lizards. Now that is forethought.
There is a certain breed of short chapter book almost perfectly designed for bedtime reading. Toys Go Out by Emily Jenkins is one of these. The aforementioned Sheep and Goat is one of these. And now Snake and Lizard can be one of these too. Sweet and simple little stories, the tales are touch and go for a while there but eventually they even out into a wonderful series of small stories. A lovely addition, a charming collection.
Ages 5-9
Read
April 12, 2016 I usually like mystery books although I think this one was really cute.
Most of the stories are funny. One of my favorites is when Snake says she has a frog in her throat and Lizard tries to help by slapping Snake on the back. When he does this, the frog jumps out and hops away. Then Snake cries, "My supper! That was my supper!"
I hope you enjoy this book if you read it!
by Sarita
Most of the stories are funny. One of my favorites is when Snake says she has a frog in her throat and Lizard tries to help by slapping Snake on the back. When he does this, the frog jumps out and hops away. Then Snake cries, "My supper! That was my supper!"
I hope you enjoy this book if you read it!
by Sarita
April 11, 2009
Snake and Lizard by Joy Cowley. Illustrated by Gavin Bishop. Kane/Miller, 2008.
Gr. 1 – 4
Each chapter in this slim book is another story about two close, if somewhat mismatched, friends. Their first meeting is rather antagonistic – Snake has stretched herself rather obliviously across a path in order to sun herself, which incenses Lizard no end. This episode ends well, with Snake inviting Lizard to sun himself next to her and the two chatting up a storm, but the initial conflict sets the stage for many more to come. These two reptiles simply cannot avoid irritating each other.
In my favorite story “The Picnic,” which reminded me very much of mealtimes with certain beloved friends and relations of mine, Snake is grossed out by Lizard’s food and table manners – he gobbles his moths, fried flies, and caterpillars with such gusto that he ends up with fly legs all over his chin. Lizard in turn is horrified when Snake slithers up to a chicken’s nest and happily swallows nine eggs whole. Lizard gasps, “Look at you! I can see the shapes of the eggs inside your skin! Oh! Oh! That really is the most horrible sight!” After he calms down a bit, Lizard muses that perhaps in the future, the two friends should eat with their backs to each other. “Snake didn’t reply. She was fast asleep, curled up under a cactus like a string of striped beads.”
The illustration that accompanies that last line of the story shows the white, black, and orangey-red Snake coiled peacefully on the ground, each of the nine eggs visible as a lump along her body. Each illustration is small, charming, and colored with warm desert hues of brown, blue, orange, and green that look wonderful against the creamy paper. The endpapers depict many desert denizens – insects, a rabbit, a tortoise, various birds – against a warm yellow background.
Readers who love George and Martha, Frog and Toad, and other famous friends will move easily from those easy readers to this stepping-stone chapter book. Snake and Lizard’s friendship illustrates that it is not necessary to always agree – but friends should know how to disagree with kindness. Cowley’s dedication in the front of the book says it all: “To dear Terry who knows that friendship is not made out of sameness but the accommodation of differences.”
This is a funny, cozy book for reading alone or sharing with a friend (or a classroom of friends).
Gr. 1 – 4
Each chapter in this slim book is another story about two close, if somewhat mismatched, friends. Their first meeting is rather antagonistic – Snake has stretched herself rather obliviously across a path in order to sun herself, which incenses Lizard no end. This episode ends well, with Snake inviting Lizard to sun himself next to her and the two chatting up a storm, but the initial conflict sets the stage for many more to come. These two reptiles simply cannot avoid irritating each other.
In my favorite story “The Picnic,” which reminded me very much of mealtimes with certain beloved friends and relations of mine, Snake is grossed out by Lizard’s food and table manners – he gobbles his moths, fried flies, and caterpillars with such gusto that he ends up with fly legs all over his chin. Lizard in turn is horrified when Snake slithers up to a chicken’s nest and happily swallows nine eggs whole. Lizard gasps, “Look at you! I can see the shapes of the eggs inside your skin! Oh! Oh! That really is the most horrible sight!” After he calms down a bit, Lizard muses that perhaps in the future, the two friends should eat with their backs to each other. “Snake didn’t reply. She was fast asleep, curled up under a cactus like a string of striped beads.”
The illustration that accompanies that last line of the story shows the white, black, and orangey-red Snake coiled peacefully on the ground, each of the nine eggs visible as a lump along her body. Each illustration is small, charming, and colored with warm desert hues of brown, blue, orange, and green that look wonderful against the creamy paper. The endpapers depict many desert denizens – insects, a rabbit, a tortoise, various birds – against a warm yellow background.
Readers who love George and Martha, Frog and Toad, and other famous friends will move easily from those easy readers to this stepping-stone chapter book. Snake and Lizard’s friendship illustrates that it is not necessary to always agree – but friends should know how to disagree with kindness. Cowley’s dedication in the front of the book says it all: “To dear Terry who knows that friendship is not made out of sameness but the accommodation of differences.”
This is a funny, cozy book for reading alone or sharing with a friend (or a classroom of friends).
May 11, 2018
Copyright: 1997
Number of Pages: 104
Book Format: Hardcover
Reading Level: Grades 2-3
Genre: fiction
Lit Requirement: easy-to-read book
Summary:
This book includes 15 small, short stories. Snake is a girl while Lizard is a boy, they have been friends for a long time. They argue a lot, but despite this, they remain friends because differences is what makes their friendship interesting. This book uses a humorous outlook on nature with colorful illustrations.
review:
This book is great for earlier elementary students because the stories are short and will keep the attention of beginning readers. This book shows friendship that is not about being the same person as a friend, but instead to embrace the differences of others. I feel that one story could be read each day for about two weeks and then a teacher could base the lessons around that story and the students can talk about it as a class in literature circles. Overall this book is amazing because of the different stories that are perfect for children.
Number of Pages: 104
Book Format: Hardcover
Reading Level: Grades 2-3
Genre: fiction
Lit Requirement: easy-to-read book
Summary:
This book includes 15 small, short stories. Snake is a girl while Lizard is a boy, they have been friends for a long time. They argue a lot, but despite this, they remain friends because differences is what makes their friendship interesting. This book uses a humorous outlook on nature with colorful illustrations.
review:
This book is great for earlier elementary students because the stories are short and will keep the attention of beginning readers. This book shows friendship that is not about being the same person as a friend, but instead to embrace the differences of others. I feel that one story could be read each day for about two weeks and then a teacher could base the lessons around that story and the students can talk about it as a class in literature circles. Overall this book is amazing because of the different stories that are perfect for children.
November 14, 2011
**** Snake and Lizard is a wonderful book. The book emphasizes that even the most different of creatures can be friends.
Snake and Lizard are two very different reptiles. Through a series of short adventures/stories Snake and Lizard show us that you hardly have to have anything in common with someone to become his/her best friend. All you have to do is be willing to accept and appreciate your differences. Snake and Lizard get to know each other while having an argument about Snake’s tail. From there they develop a friendship, move in together, and try to help each other out as they start a business giving out advice.
Snake is a calm and slightly self-centered.
Lizard is lively and unruly.
Genre: fantasy
Themes: friendship, acceptance
Interesting information: The author, Joy Cowley, is a very famous author of early readers for children. She is from New Zealand.
Snake and Lizard are two very different reptiles. Through a series of short adventures/stories Snake and Lizard show us that you hardly have to have anything in common with someone to become his/her best friend. All you have to do is be willing to accept and appreciate your differences. Snake and Lizard get to know each other while having an argument about Snake’s tail. From there they develop a friendship, move in together, and try to help each other out as they start a business giving out advice.
Snake is a calm and slightly self-centered.
Lizard is lively and unruly.
Genre: fantasy
Themes: friendship, acceptance
Interesting information: The author, Joy Cowley, is a very famous author of early readers for children. She is from New Zealand.
July 7, 2007
This is so cute! Gecko Press do such wonderful productions, very high quality. Probably the stories themselves didn't matter so much to my enjoyment - but Gavin Bishop's art, and the whole presentation - just awesome.
They're little fablelike stories, of the friendship between Snake and Lizard (who are utterly completely adorable) and how they get along despite their differences. Why, for example, if snakes and lizards go on picnics together they should each bring their own food. I liked the picture where Snake was bumped like a string of beads from the eggs she'd eaten.
It is a bit odd when you read picture books by New Zealanders that blatantly cannot be set in New Zealand - this is a new edition of a book only published previously in the states. A far superior edition, I am told. The production really complements the art.
They're little fablelike stories, of the friendship between Snake and Lizard (who are utterly completely adorable) and how they get along despite their differences. Why, for example, if snakes and lizards go on picnics together they should each bring their own food. I liked the picture where Snake was bumped like a string of beads from the eggs she'd eaten.
It is a bit odd when you read picture books by New Zealanders that blatantly cannot be set in New Zealand - this is a new edition of a book only published previously in the states. A far superior edition, I am told. The production really complements the art.
March 28, 2009
Snake and Lizard join the tradition of mis-matched friends stories like Frog and Toad, Bert & Ernie, and Winnie-the Pooh and Piglet. But as cute and clever as most of the short stories that make up this charming chapter book are, the humor comes from an adult sensibility. Worldly, sophisticated 8/9+ year-olds reading on their own might chuckle, but if reading to younger students, to have to stop every other page to explain the "joke", the book will fall flat. Frog & Toad succeeded because the vocabulary of the story was accessible to very early readers while retaining that droll sense of humor. It will take a wise adult/teacher to pick up this book and share/recommend it. BTW, the illustrations are little gems but because they are mostly small and the trim size of the book is small, it makes the book more appropriate for an intimate kind of sharing.
December 4, 2011
Genre: Fiction, Fantasy
Rating: **** Snake and Lizard is a wonderful chapter book for all ages, and the illustrations add to it’s charm. Each chapter tells the friendship of two very different creatures. This book would make a great read aloud.
Summary: Snake and Lizard live in the desert and meet on a fine Spring day. At first they don’t like each other, but they soon become friends. They move in with each other and begin to appreciate each other’s differences as they experience many adventures together.
Main Characters:
Snake – “Snake is elegant, calm, and a little self-centered.”
Lizard – “Lizard is exuberant and irrepressible.”
Key Issues: friendship, acceptance of others
Other Interesting Information: Joy Cowley is one of New Zealand’s most successful writers of children’s books, and Gavin Bishop’s art has been exhibited internationally.
Rating: **** Snake and Lizard is a wonderful chapter book for all ages, and the illustrations add to it’s charm. Each chapter tells the friendship of two very different creatures. This book would make a great read aloud.
Summary: Snake and Lizard live in the desert and meet on a fine Spring day. At first they don’t like each other, but they soon become friends. They move in with each other and begin to appreciate each other’s differences as they experience many adventures together.
Main Characters:
Snake – “Snake is elegant, calm, and a little self-centered.”
Lizard – “Lizard is exuberant and irrepressible.”
Key Issues: friendship, acceptance of others
Other Interesting Information: Joy Cowley is one of New Zealand’s most successful writers of children’s books, and Gavin Bishop’s art has been exhibited internationally.
October 22, 2009
Very entertaining. Very cute. The Snake and Lizard are friends and they have some funny adventures. They are cleaver and sarcastic. This is a great book for 2nd or 3rd graders. It is an easy read with a couple of small colored illustrations in each chapter. Each chapter has it's own adventure that builds to the next chapter. This story reminded me of the "Frog and Toad" books. They have a very faithful friendship, despite the fact they are so different. They learn to appreciate and live with one another's differences. The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars (because I really enjoyed it) was because the Snake and Lizard seemed to fight a lot or get mad at each other a lot. Though their conflicts always resolved, I thought thy were a little too frequent and drawn out.
February 25, 2010
I brought a few books home that came in our last book order but had not been getting checked out. The last one I reviewed, I could see why but this one however I loved and will have no trouble talking it up. It's about two friends a snake and a lizard, they are very different but become best friends. Every short chapter is about them having to work out some problem. It's funny and cute and a bit silling. I think kids of 2/3 grade (maybe 1st too) will love it. In fact, I will recommend to teachers as a read-aloud, especially in classes where kids are having trouble working out their problems. It's a shame this book is not written as an easy reader chapter book--I really think that it would get many more readers.
October 7, 2008
I would give 5 stars to the illustrations (they're in FULL COLOR!) and most, but not all, of the short stories here. A few of them tried to be funny, but fell flat for me- but only a few. Overall, this is an excellent early chapter book.
The best stories are the ones involving Snake and Lizard and what they eat- very funny stuff, those. I love a good food-chain story- :) Lots of dark, subversive humor here that doesn't try to water-down reality. Nice and refreshing.
And if you want to know what a six-to-seven-year-old child is like, really like, summed up in five pages or less, read the chapter titled "Money". Perfection. And completely hilarious!
Charming little book.
The best stories are the ones involving Snake and Lizard and what they eat- very funny stuff, those. I love a good food-chain story- :) Lots of dark, subversive humor here that doesn't try to water-down reality. Nice and refreshing.
And if you want to know what a six-to-seven-year-old child is like, really like, summed up in five pages or less, read the chapter titled "Money". Perfection. And completely hilarious!
Charming little book.
Read
June 6, 2009Snake and Lizard, by Cowley
Did you ever think a snake and a lizard could be friends? Well, that is what this book is about. One day Snake was lying across a dirt path and Lizard asked him to move because he was blocking the way. They started insulting each other; lizard has a teensy weensy tail, snake has zero legs. But, after a short time they stopped their insults, laid on the path in the sun, and talked and talked as though they had known each other for years.
If you enjoyed reading the Frog and Toad books when you were first learning to read, you will definitely like Snake and Lizard.
Animal Stories
Grades 2-4
Submitted by Jocelyn Mullen, 6/5/09
Did you ever think a snake and a lizard could be friends? Well, that is what this book is about. One day Snake was lying across a dirt path and Lizard asked him to move because he was blocking the way. They started insulting each other; lizard has a teensy weensy tail, snake has zero legs. But, after a short time they stopped their insults, laid on the path in the sun, and talked and talked as though they had known each other for years.
If you enjoyed reading the Frog and Toad books when you were first learning to read, you will definitely like Snake and Lizard.
Animal Stories
Grades 2-4
Submitted by Jocelyn Mullen, 6/5/09
March 21, 2017
My younger kids liked this book but the characters of Snake and Lizard never quite reach the level of other iconic duos like Frog and Toad. Also, while we know that the animal kingdom in reality is not all about love and friendship, the world of Snake and Lizard can be a little harsh for younger kids as it adheres more to the true nature of the animals. *Spoiler ahead* In one of the stories Snake realizes that she ate Lizard's little brother a long time ago and that was a little upsetting to my little girls (not majorly so, but definitely disturbing.) So not a horrible bedtime story book, but just be aware that it isn't all butterflies and roses in this one.
March 19, 2009
Stories for the bridge/transitional audience about a snake and lizard who live in the desert and strike up an unlikely friendship. They deal with their differences and learn non-didactic life lessons. The tone reminded me a little of Winnie the Pooh only with carnivores -- other animals get eaten or hunted, which some might find disturbing but I found refreshingly realistic.
My only complaint was that the ending felt a little undercooked. But overall, cute stuff, especially for those interested in animals.
My only complaint was that the ending felt a little undercooked. But overall, cute stuff, especially for those interested in animals.
October 11, 2011
I read this kind of quickly, and suspect I might like it even better on second reading. Some of the stories I liked a lot, some not so much. I'm always happy to find more titles that work for newish readers looking for chapter books that aren't too intimidating. I particularly enjoyed the physical qualities of this book; the color of the pages, the size, and the illustrations combine to make a very appealing package.
*****
I was right. I re-read it, and liked it even more. I bumped up the rating from 3 stars to 4.
*****
I was right. I re-read it, and liked it even more. I bumped up the rating from 3 stars to 4.
April 30, 2014
This episodic book talks about the friendship between Snake and Lizard and their many adventures together. Although the animals are personified, many of the animal traits they would posses are retained. This makes the characters seem more genuine.
The central theme of the book is friendship. Snake and Lizard have their differences, but they always find a way to work through them as friends.
The story also has a very humorous quality that children would enjoy. Colorful illustrations within the larger text help to bring the story to life.
The central theme of the book is friendship. Snake and Lizard have their differences, but they always find a way to work through them as friends.
The story also has a very humorous quality that children would enjoy. Colorful illustrations within the larger text help to bring the story to life.
July 3, 2014
I wanted to like this and was hoping it would be a fun story about different personalities becoming friends. It was about that, but I'm not exactly sure what to do with it. Lizard and snake are friends, or at least become so at the beginning, and each short chapter is a stand-alone story in their friendship. It's more than a leveled reader, but it's simple "short story" layout makes it a hard sell to those children who have moved to chapter books. The overall story was okay, but not great. I'm not sure who I would give this book to.
Recommendation level: Meh. Grades 1-2 and up...?
Recommendation level: Meh. Grades 1-2 and up...?
April 27, 2009
Very simple, very quick, very cute and very true. This book is all about the ups and downs and negotiations of friendship. For example, when you are sharing "the worst thing you ever did" and your friend Lizard said it was leaving his sweet little brother behind on a cactus, you, Snake, don't add that yes, indeed, his little brother was sweet. (Think about it.) The other stories, or chapters, aren't as dramatic, but each has a nice twist.
May 16, 2009
Reminded me a lot of George and Martha books (Marshall). Lizard and Snake are two friends who drive each other crazy and have a series of misadventures and misunderstandings, but are true friends to the end. Episodic - this book might make a good chapter-a-night read-aloud.
The sheer quality of the book was wonderful - the paper was very high quality and the pictures were very bright, so the book was a pleasure to hold and look at.
The sheer quality of the book was wonderful - the paper was very high quality and the pictures were very bright, so the book was a pleasure to hold and look at.
June 30, 2013
Ahhh, Snake and Lizard. Two of my favourite animals. :D But that's besides the point. I read this years back with my younger siblings at the library one day and we loved it so much we decided it just had to be borrowed and re-read.
This is one of those lovely children's classics that is funny, sweet, light-hearted and surprising altogether. A treasure trove of goodies in each mini adventure which Snake and Lizard share. All I can say is...I wish there's a sequel!!!
This is one of those lovely children's classics that is funny, sweet, light-hearted and surprising altogether. A treasure trove of goodies in each mini adventure which Snake and Lizard share. All I can say is...I wish there's a sequel!!!
November 22, 2013
I would like to give this 3 1/2 stars. It's a cute book of stories of mismatched friends--like Frog & Toad, George & Martha, Bert & Ernie, etc. These stories are a bit more sophisticated and, to me, are a bit uneven in quality. Some are tender, like "Secrets" while some are a bit vague. I do like the fact that it's an actual chapter book, a step up in format and reading level from the aforementioned friendship pairs in Easy Reader type books.
January 10, 2017
A lovely & comical story of unlikely friendship between two creatures with very little in common. It is both a wonderful read-aloud for any audience, or a great pick for emerging readers to enjoy on their own. There are short chapters with natural pauses but plenty of 'cliff-hangers' keeping the reader engaged and wanting to go on. The story provides a perfect lesson in getting to know others before making judgments.
March 8, 2009
Snake and Lizard frequently annoy each other. Snake and Lizard often argue. Snake and Lizard have very different opinions about things like what kind of food is delicious or what kind is appalling. But Snake and Lizard are best friends and strongly devoted to each other. Simple and strong. A lovely look at friendship.
July 25, 2009
I loved this. Each chapter is a little vignette about Snake and Lizard who become unlikely friends. The humor is just sly enough to keep their interest. The chapters are short enough to use as a filler activity can be read individually. The pictures are adorable, especially the one of snake after he has eaten the eggs!
July 14, 2010
Picked this up when I was in New Zealand. I think the author had a great time thinking about where conflicts could arise between a snake and a lizard who are determined to be friends. I had a great time reading it. Short, complete chapters, like "Frog and Toad" only longer, for those reluctant readers who feel a sense of accomplishment when a chapter is a whole story in itself.
February 23, 2012
Snake and Lizard are like a slightly more grown-up Frog and Toad--a delightful early chapter book with terrific illustrations. As with many easy reader friendships, the two animals are seemingly incompatible, but choose to be friends despite their differences. I like the subtle humor in this book. I think early elementary students will enjoy it.
February 11, 2013
There are some really sweet books about friends. Frog and Toad. Christopher Robin and Pooh. Henry and Mudge. Well, other than the fact that they’re great friends, Snake and Lizard are nothing like those guys. They argue a lot. They also eat gross stuff and then argue about that. Strangely, messages of caring and friendship poke through all of this. Gr. 2-4.
May 10, 2012
The dedication says it all "To dear Terry who knows that friendship is not made out of sameness but the accomodation of differences." Really cute illustrations. Funny when Lizard helps Snake when he has a frog in his throat ("Hey, that was my lunch.") and sad when Snake realizes that long ago he ate Lizard's youngest brother.
September 12, 2013
This is a excellent book for little children, with stealthy puns and clever use of words and humour. However, as it is a series of short stories, I feel that this book is one where the stories are to be staggered (in other words, read one, then the next some time later (a few hours, a day...), rather than read in one fell swoop. This makes a perfect read-aloud bedtime story for the wee 'uns.
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