My Buddy, Slug

by Jarrett J. Krosoczka

Alex and Slug are best friends. They do everything together--morning, noon, and night.

But does being best friends mean you have to be together every second?

Slug seems to think so! Alex tries to get some alone time--at the dentist, at the library, even playing sick--but Slug won't give him a moment to spare. Before long, Alex explodes--and Slug's feelings are bruised. Friendship isn't always easy!

It's time for Alex and Slug to figure out the meaning of "sorry"--and to learn that some folks are friends forever.

Genres: Picture Books, Friendship, Childrens

40 pages, Hardcover

First published September 12, 2006

About the author

Jarrett J. Krosoczka, known since boyhood as "JJK," is the New York Times bestselling author/illustrator behind more than forty books for young readers, including his wildly popular Lunch Lady graphic novels, select volumes of the Star Wars™: Jedi Academy series, and Hey, Kiddo, which was a National Book Award Finalist. Krosoczka creates books with humor, heart, and deep respect for his young readers—qualities that have made his titles perennial favorites on the bookshelves of homes, libraries, and bookstores over the past twenty years.

In addition to his work in print, Krosoczka produced, directed, and performed in the full-cast audiobook adaptations of his graphic novels. The Hey, Kidoo audiobook garnered both Audie and Odyssey Awards for excellence in audiobook production. The Lunch Lady audiobook cast is led by Kate Flannery (The Office) and is rounded out by famed audiobook narrators and real kid actors! Krosoczka has been a guest on NPR's Fresh Air with Terry Gross, has been profiled in The New York Times, was featured on Good Morning America, and has delivered three TED Talks, which have accrued millions of views online. Krosoczka has garnered millions of more views online via the tutorials he has produced for YouTube and TikTok. As well as working on his books' film and television adaptions, Krosoczka has also written for The Snoopy Show (Apple TV+) and served as a consultant for Creative Galaxy (Prime Video), and appeared in live segments for the show.

Realizing that his books can inspire young readers beyond the page, Krosoczka founded School Lunch Hero Day, a national campaign celebrating school lunch staff. A consummate advocate for arts education, Krosoczka also established the Joseph and Shirley Krosoczka Memorial Youth Scholarships, which fund art classes for underprivileged children in his hometown of Worcester, Massachusetts.

Krosoczka lives in western Massachusetts with his spouse, their three children, pugs Ralph and Frank, and a French bulldog named Bella Carmella.

Reviews

[Jon Nakapalau · Rating 5 out of 5]

When your best friend is a giant orange slug life can be fun. But remember that slugs have feelings that can be hurt...teaches children a great lesson on what happens when we fail to take the feelings of others into consideration.

[Tricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Poor slug. When friend Kevin moves away, all the heat of the friendship is on poor Alex. And slug drives him CRAZY! The girls enjoyed the slug, because they just love slugs but ultimately, the message of the book is about forgiving a friend when they do you wrong.

[Markita · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great story to teach children that there words have actions and sometimes those actions can hurt someone you care for. I liked that the book brings a thought of self awareness for the main protagonist.

[Rachel · Rating 2 out of 5]

Annoying to me and my children.

[Karin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Slug is quite the character. Kiddo was amused.

[Janna · Rating 3 out of 5]

OK book--main character is a boy and his friend is a slug. The slug wants to be around him all the time and the boy is cross and says hurtful things. Book ends with an apology.

Readalike books:
Courdouroy, Ant and Grasshopper, Bear Feels Scared

Readalike authors:
Jan Thomas, H. A. Rey, Mo Willems

[Libby · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this book a bit annoying after awhile, and for some reason it bothers me that everyone in the book is people, except for the slug. But that aside, my 2 year old liked it and I supposed it's a good example of apologizing.

[Charles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who says that you can not have a best friend that leaves a trail of love where ever you both go?

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute - and perfect for our Summer Reading Program theme, Bugs! I had actually forgotten about slugs...

[Gretchen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun book to help illustrate that we can have friends but we don't have to spend every waking moment with them.

[Kelly]

A very early Jarrett J. Krosoczka book. Just starting out with his big faces and illustrations.

[Nesa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Slug kinda reminded me with his nonstop talking, lol.

[Sara · Rating 2 out of 5]

September 2012

[Yingyi · Rating 4 out of 5]

可以让孩子猜结尾。两人吵架又和好。