When Fred the Snake Goes to School

by Peter B. Cotton, Bonnie Lemaire (Illustrations)

This is the second of a series of books about Fred the Snake, who was sent as a present by Jungle Jim. The first book, "When Fred the Snake Got Squished and Mended," tells how he became "Fred-Fred" when crossing the road. Happily, the doctor was able to mend him, using some special thread that Jim found beneath a Rhino. We played together happily all summer, but now it's time to go to school. Can Fred come too?

36 pages, Hardcover

First published December 13, 2012

About the author

Peter Cotton is a semi-retired Professor of Medicine at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) in Charleston. He grew up in England, and graduated as a doctor in 1963 from Cambridge University and St. Thomas Hospital Medical School (London). He joined the faculty of the Middlesex Hospital and Medical School where he developed a new department integrating medical and surgical gastroenterology. Peter left England in 1986 to become Professor of Medicine at Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA. He moved again to Charleston, South Carolina in 1994 to initiate the Digestive Disease Center at MUSC. Peter has been active in many National and International organizations and has given invited lectures and demonstrations in over 50 countries. His bibliography includes more than 900 medical publications and 11 medical textbooks.
His stories about Fred the snake started as a bedtime story for his kids to remind them how (not) to cross the road. When they had their kids, they asked “what happened to Fred-Fred”. Peter found a wonderful illustrator (Bonnie Lemaire) and published “When Fred the Snake was Squished and Mended”. This proved popular and he got on a roll, with now 10 books about Fred, managed by Bublish inc. After recovering from squishing, Fred went to school with the boy, received some friends from Jungle Jim, explored Charleston, went to the beach, and then went camping. Books 7,8, 9 have Fred and friends touring the sights of the USA. The books have been well reviewed and gained several awards including 5 Mom’s choice gold medals. Reviewers have compared his work to Lewis Carroll, Dr Suess, Roal Dahl and Hilliare Belloc.. Peter and Marion Cotton live on Dewees Island, SC. They are blessed with 4 “children”, 8 grands and 4 great grands. They enjoy family, friends, travel, wildlife and golf.
More about the books at www.petercottontales.com
He is not named after a rabbit.

Reviews

[Michelle Stanley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reviewed by Michelle Stanley for Readers' Favorite

When Fred the Snake Goes to School is a children’s animal story by Peter B. Cotton. Fred the Snake was given to James by Jungle Jim. He recently recovered from being squished in the head and was called Fred-Fred, but not anymore. James had fun playing with Fred during the summer holidays. He gets permission from the teacher to take his pet to school with him.

The teacher really did not want a snake slithering around the classroom, but she had already allowed other kids to bring their pet mice, birds, and rabbits to class, so she could not deny James his request. Fred learned the alphabet and played games with the kids at lunchtime. He was so helpful and fun to be around that he was rewarded for being so cool. Now James wishes they could visit Jungle Jim and Fred’s family that he left behind.

When Fred the Snake Goes to School is such a delightful storybook for young children. Peter B. Cotton’s novella is written as a story in a poem format with rhymes that are well structured and amusing. It was originally created for the author’s children and is now read to his grandkids.

The book cover is nice, but the illustrations inside are even lovelier, brightly coloured, and show the characters engaged in each activity. Fred is an adorable snake who charmed the teacher, and James is a caring pet owner. This is a great novella that teachers will enjoy reading to their students, and parents will like it too.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

After being accidentally severed by an ambulance and miraculously stitched back together, Fred the snake is ready for his next adventure: going to school. Fred has spent the summer with an unnamed human companion who has painstakingly earned the permission to allow Fred to accompany him to his classroom. Not only is Fred interested in learning alongside his human friend, but he proves invaluable in other ways, as well—especially at recess. At the end of a successful day, Fred and his boy celebrate together and imagine the many adventures they could have next. This picture book has a distinct Dr. Seuss-esque quality because of its clever use of rhyme and unexpected storyline. Most of the rhymes work well, making this an enjoyable story to read aloud, whether at school or at home. The length and complexity of the story makes it best suited to elementary school-aged readers, especially those whose imaginations embrace the potential that comes with a friendly, serpentine pet. A unique illustrative style features caricatures on the exclusively light-skinned humans, giving the book a distinctly cartoon-like quality. Bright colors and expressive facial features enhance the visual intrigue of the story whether read aloud or independently. The second in a series, this book continues Fred the snake’s adventures as a companion to humans and opens the door for more fun in future installments. Readers who enjoy rhyming stories with a dose of silliness will appreciate this series.

I received a copy of this book from the author and I chose to leave this review.

[Heidi Brooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

The illustrations were fantastic!!!!!

I absolutely loved the illustrations! The storyline was so much fun! I am not a fan of snakes at all, but found myself loving Fred! How could you not love that adorable snake, when he tries so hard to fit in? And then the fact that his teacher, was a bit skirmish at first, but also learned to love Fred the snake! And, did I mention the illustrations were amazing?!!!