This is What a Slug Does

by Mimi May, Aniek Bartels (Illustrator)

A hilariously slimy dive into the surprisingly weird world of slugs.

How do slugs see when they don’t have eyes? Why do they leave behind that weird, gloopy trail? And can a slug really retract its head?

This Is What a Slug Does is the first book in a brilliantly funny, fact-packed nonfiction series that takes a closer look at the strange—and sometimes slimy—lives of animals. Full of digging, chomping, sliming, and general oddness. Because that is what animals do.

PACKED WITH FACTS: Bite-sized facts wrapped up in a fun story make this perfect for curious kids. Bonus content at the back of the book give little zoologists even more information about their new favorite animal!

HILARIOUS AND EDUCATIONAL: If Jon Klassen wrote a funny nonfiction book about slugs, this is what it would look like.

A NATURE BOOK TO SHARE: Hilariously illustrated and packed with facts about the strange and amazing world of slugs, curious kids will find a wealth of information and inspiration in this fascinating picture book.

Perfect for:

Gift-givers who are looking for a fun book about animals
Parents, grandparents, caregivers, and educators
Any kid who loves learning about animals and the nature

Genres: Picture Books, Nonfiction, Animals, Childrens, Science, Humor, Nature

32 pages, Hardcover

Published June 23, 2026

Reviews

[Rosh (on a medical break) · Rating 3 out of 5]

In a Nutshell: A picture book depicting one adventurous day in the life of a slug. Nonfiction that reads like fiction. Informative and funny. Needed a bit of tweaking in some textual portions. Some content might be tough to explain to the target age group. Could work for slightly older children who are interested in animals. Parents advised to read it first.

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This informative picture book begins by introducing us to Simon the Slug and with a labelled diagram explaining his anatomical features – very useful. I like how there’s a pronunciation key for the tough body parts.

The main content covers one day in the life of Simon. Luckily (or unluckily) for us, Simon is having one heck of a day where he eats a lot, narrowly escapes being eaten, almost loses his head, meets another lovely slug to mate, nearly dries out, and so on, all within the timeframe of sunrise to sunset.

The information is presented in a light-hearted, conversational way, so it doesn’t feel like we are reading a nonfiction book. Little readers will learn plenty about slugs. At the same time, some of the content might not be easy for them to comprehend and could have been avoided. Case in point, the mating process.

Some of the scenes involve information that isn't completely clear. For instance, the initial drawing of a slug’s anatomy says that its “mouth is filled with rows of tiny sharp teeth” and a few pages later, the text says that “Simon doesn’t have teeth”. Only through the backmatter do we realise that both sentences are simultaneously true. Care should have been taken to avoid such apparent contradictions because we adults don’t always check the back matter before we read a book to our children and most of us aren’t equipped to answer questions about confusing slug anatomy!

Several other creatures also make an appearance in the story. Some of these might be unfamiliar to kids. (Are children aware of shrews or moles?)

The page declaring “Simon’s head is gone. Simon is dead.” made me gasp in horror. I already started planning a scathing rant about why such an inclusion was a stupid call to take for a picture book. Thankfully, the next page threw more light on the situation. Turns out, the text was “just kidding”; Simon didn’t lose his head after all. 🙄

(Note to Self: Don’t draft picture books reviews in your head till you reach the last page.
Note to Publishing team: Don’t scare kids like that! Sensitive children might burst out crying!)

The illustrations are quite cute, though it is tough to see Simon’s expressions at times. The watercolour-style colouring, done using ink and gouache, suits a story set in nature. Regardless of what I felt about the inclusion of Simon’s “romance”, I loved the graphic where he and his partner are framed in a heart-shaped leaf cluster – romantic, indeed! 😄 The only thing I didn’t like was how the slug’s teeth are present or absent at random even in the artwork.

As mentioned above, the backmatter of the book contains an interesting list of “Odd Slug Facts.” I loved this info but I think some of the terms are way too complex for the target age group.

On that note, Edelweiss lists this book as being for little readers aged 3-5. I think it’s highly unlikely that a three-year-old child will appreciate this nonfiction book for the facts it offers. The book might better serve kids aged 5-8 as it combines entertainment and education on a topic that might be of more interest to them.

This book is supposed to be the first in a new series of informative + humorous animal nonfiction for little animal lovers. Though this one didn’t exactly tick all the right checkboxes, I would be interested in seeing how this series develops as it does have tremendous potential.

Recommended, but I’d suggest the slug facts at the end be read by parents/guardians/teachers first so that they can clarify the doubts little readers might have while reading the main text.

3 stars.


My thanks to Publisher Spotlight and Post Wave for providing the DRC of “This Is What a Slug Does” via NetGalley. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.

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I follow the Goodreads rating policy:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Lifelong favourite!
⭐⭐⭐⭐ - I loved the book.
⭐⭐⭐ - I liked the book.
⭐⭐ - I found the book average.
⭐ - I hated the book.
The decimals indicate the degree of the in-between feelings.

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Connect with me through:
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[Grandma Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting and fun. Teaches all about slugs in a slug adventure. This was fascinating. Amazing illustrations. Highly recommend.

I was blessed with an ARC. Thank you NetGalley. The opinions expressed are my own and unbiased.

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This has to be one of my favorite children’s books I’ve read in a while!!

First! The art is STUNNING like literally so so cute! I loved all the character designs and the double page spreads! All of the characters have so much personality!

Second, SIMON!! My man Simon is a man on a mission and that mission is to not become lunch we follow Simon as he goes through his day to day life trying not to become some other critters lunch! After a couple close Simon eventually gets to rest after teaching us all about what a Slug does!

This book is the perfect balance between fun and educational. I’m an adult and I learned SO much about slugs! This would be perfect for a classroom or library read aloud or for littles that are interested in learning more about slugs!

I highly recommend checking out this cute book!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

[Ms. Yingling · Rating 3 out of 5]

Copy provided by Young Adult Books Central

Meet Simon the Slug! On the first pages, there are great labels for all the parts of a slug, including the pneumostome, which lets air into the lungs. As Simon starts on his travels, we learn about the functions of his trademark slime, which has many different purposes, from helping Simon move to making him unpalatable to predators. This is helpful when he is munching on plants and found by a hungry shrew. When Simon smells something appealing, it turns out to be another slug, Susan. The two have a romantic, intertwining interlude which a passing beetle thinks is "ridiculous" but Susan comments is "romantic". When Simon feels dried out, he finds a nice puddle, but his head is eaten by a mole. Just kidding! He has retracted his head but pops it back out and continues on his way. The end of the book has some slug facts, including more information about why "slug love" is mysterious even to scientists.

The illustrations are vaguely reminiscent of Eric Carle's collage and paint pictures, which provide a good background to Simon and Susan's antics. The end papers, with a variety of colorful slugs, are quite nice. There is just enough detail to the pictures of the slugs to understand their anatomy; I found myself investigating whether or not slugs have teeth after looking at Simon's portrait on the cover. Answer: sort of. They have bony jaws that can bite things off, and Simon's smile is fairly accurate!

This is a decent length, and would work fairly well for a read aloud, but the main audience will most likely be younger elementary school students who are independent readers, since the text is larger and in a very clean san serif font. Be aware when reading this aloud that there is the page with the very vague slug mating as well as the possibly traumatic brush with death that Simon has.

There are more picture books about slugs than I had realized, including Gregory's Where's Speedy? and de Bharduin The Slug and the Snail, but apparently snails are the more appealing creature! This was a nice mix of facts and story that young readers who are interested in the natural world will enjoy.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have never been so engaged or riveted by the world of the slimy slug, but this book changed all that. A fabulous non-fiction picture book that will almost make readers fall in love with slugs. (And the page spread on slug mating habits will have you laughing out loud!)

[Panda Incognito · Rating 2 out of 5]

This picture book is a hybrid between nonfiction and a storybook. The book teaches kids about slug facts, but it does so through a day-in-the-life story, following the fictional character of Simon the slug. The chatty writing style is engaging, and the illustrations are colorful and fun.

Near the beginning of the book, the author introduces a slug's anatomy, and the diagram says that the mouth is "filled with rows of tiny sharp teeth, perfect for destroying your garden." But then, just a few pages later, the book says, "He doesn't have teeth, but he does have a tiny, scratchy tongue." This outright contradiction at the beginning of the book doesn't inspire confidence, and you have to make it all the way to the author's note at the end before there's any explanation. The anatomy diagram should have described the slug's mouth more specifically and accurately.

Later on, the book depicts slug reproduction. When Simon meets another slug, the text says, "Her name is Susan. Or maybe Steve. It doesn't really matter. Slugs don't care." After this, there is a full page spread where the slugs are mating, hanging upside down from a tree branch by a thread of slime. "Eventually, Simon and Susan untangle themselves. No one is quite sure what just happened. Not even Simon." In the author's note at the end, we learn that slug reproduction is still a mystery to scientists, but that all slugs have eggs and sperm, and can even fertilize themselves.

Simon has a very eventful day, and it includes a near-death experience. Parents of sensitive children should know that a full page spread shows a mole chomping down on Simon, and the text says, "Simon's head is gone. Silence." The next page says, "Just kidding!", and Simon's head pops back out from his body. Although some children will find this body horror entertaining, other kids will find this terrifying. For that one page spread, it truly appears that you're witnessing Simon's death, and this is an odd choice for a book marketed for ages 3-5.

This book is more appropriate for kids in elementary school. I like the concept of this book, and I enjoyed the conversational writing voice and cute illustrations, but the content will be a lot more than many parents bargain for, when they pick this up for their young children.

I received a temporary digital copy through NetGalley, and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

[YSBR · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simon the Slug is here to teach you all about slugs! First, the reader learns about the slug’s body parts, then how its slime helps it move and survive. As Simon inches through the garden, he has to watch out for predators like birds and moles, while he looks for plants to eat.  If Simon runs into another slug, they could use their feelers to communicate.  If they like each other, they may “do something special” and use their slime to glue themselves together and hang from a branch. But it is noted, “No one is quite sure what just happened.” (This is explained in the back matter; apparently, scientists are still not exactly sure how slugs reproduce.) Simon keeps moving along; he must stay hydrated or he will shrivel, so he needs to find water and stay out of the sun. Eventually, Simon inches toward the sunset, slowly.

I like the device of using Simon as the reader’s guide.  We learn a lot about slugs, but it is also very cute and funny (he has a tiny hat!).  Some things, like reproduction, are hinted at in the story, but not graphically explained.  A page at the end relates more ‘slug facts’ and adds more detail to the story.  The art is watercolor, possibly altered digitally.  All the creatures are pretty cute, with expressive features, and even the predators are portrayed as fairly friendly creatures. Link to complete review: https://ysbookreviews.wordpress.com/2...

[Carla · Rating 4 out of 5]

My 7 YO grandson thought that slugs would be cool to learn about, so he wanted to read this book with me. The slug in this book is named Simon. His goal in this book is not to be eaten. We learned about his slime and how it protects him. When Simon met another slug, we learned about their mating ritual. We learned a lot more about slugs such as their need for moisture, and damp cool places, their predators and ways to save itself. At the back of the book are all kinds of slug facts that we read over and discussed. The illustrations are wonderful. They are large, cute and with natural and realistic colours. We read it a couple of times, then he wanted to know if there are slugs in my yard. I told him I wasn't sure, but if he was there and I found any, I would call him over to see them. This is another fun story to help kids learn about a living thing that is found in their environment and teach them they aren't harmful and hopefully they will leave them alone if they see them.

[Allie · Rating 3 out of 5]

“This is What a Slug Does” is a humorous and beautifully illustrated introductory nonfiction book all about slugs. We follow Simon the slug in his quest to not be eaten and learn fun facts along the way. This style is super fun for young readers and a great way to spark interest for further learning. Unfortunately, the actual information is vague or seemingly contradictory, causing some confusion to my young readers and to me. I love the idea and style of this one, but the execution just didn’t quite land. I would most definitely pick up another attempt in this same style!

Thanks to NetGalley & Publisher Spotlight for the complimentary copy of this ebook. The opinions expressed here are entirely my own.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Maybe you've never wondered how a slug spends its day, but the way this picture book with its splashy Ecoline ink and gouache illustrations and slyly amusing text tells its story will have just about everyone else, maybe you too, intrigued. I never thought a slug could have much personality, but this one does. After introducing the star of the show--Simon--the author identifies his secret weapon and how slime protects slugs like Simon. Additionally, the text describes the odd mating ritual of slugs and how Simon needs to remain moist and thwarts an untimely end. With a section entitled "More Odd Slug Facts," this book offers science at its most entertaining.

[Tiffany Ahmad · Rating 3 out of 5]

This Is What a Slug Does by Mimi May has potential, and the illustrations are engaging for young readers. However, for a book geared toward children ages 3–5, the line “Her name is Susan. Or maybe Steve. It doesn’t really matter. Slugs don’t care.” feels like it may lead to questions that some parents aren’t expecting to explain during story time.

The illustrations were fun and colorful, although I can already imagine kids insisting the slug has teeth based on one of the pictures! Overall, it’s an informative introduction to slugs, but a few moments may spark conversations that feel a little beyond the target age group.

[Katie N · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a cute story! Cute illustrations, bright and cheery!! A funny little story about a slugs life and how it lives and survives. Informative in a funny way. It was easy for kids to understand while also having a good laugh! I really enjoyed the humor, for kids and as an adult reading it. I really enjoyed the little beetle there to learn along with us bring the questions.

I also loved the fun facts at the end of the story. I even learned new facts!


A little way to learn about slugs!

Thank you to NetGalley, and the public catalog!

[Chelsea Walsh · Rating 5 out of 5]

"This Is What a Slug Does" by Mimi May is an absolute masterpiece of contemporary indie literature. May crafts a deeply moving, beautifully fragmented narrative that captures the raw essence of human vulnerability, stagnation, and survival. The prose is lyrical yet incredibly sharp, turning the mundane into something profoundly poetic and unforgettable. It is the kind of book that crawls under your skin and stays with you long after the final page. If you appreciate raw, emotional storytelling and unique literary voices, this is an absolute must-read.

[Brianna M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway so thank you! First, the artwork is stunning. That was the first thing I noticed about the book. The story was also very informative and cute, but I do think it is geared towards somewhat older children than its intended audience. My toddler loved receiving this book in the mail but it wasn’t a story that was really engaging for her. My 9 & 10 year olds loved it, though! They giggled at all the funny educational pieces.

[Peacegal · Rating 4 out of 5]

A laugh-out-loud story that celebrates the eventful and slimy life of a slug. Parents may want to pre-read this, as it contains a page that implies that Simon the slug has been bitten in half by a mole and is dead. The next page admits the author was "just kidding" and explains how slugs defend themselves from attacks. However, the sudden, flippant turn of events is likely to upset sensitive kids before the page is turned--so be aware!

[Julianne Harkleroad · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book! Slugs are so mysterious and different- kids either love them or hate them, but none know enough about this fun creature! Both easy to read for tired parents and informational for aficionados, This Is What A Slug Does straddles educational and fun perfectly! Let's hope fewer slugs are squished and salted thanks to this book!

[C · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book free through Goodreads First Read.

If your kid loves Slugs, this is the book for them. This book is great at showing what the slug needs to survivor and some of the different animals that could eat him.

It felt a little like a Science book with a diagram (with labels)of the slug and a page of odd facts at the back of the book.

[Martha Meyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so fun! Who knew slugs were so fascinating: that they have retractable heads and that their slime tastes disgusting to their predators and they have high wire reproductive gymnastics? A great book for very young children and anyone who cares for them to learn the science of slugs. Learning some cool science geared to at 3 - 5 year olds, but that will delight adults as well.

[Danielle Mccoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a copy of this eBook from netGalley for a honest review.

I loved this little picture book about slugs and how they get around in this world and all the interesting things they can do. I even learned a little bit more about an animal species.

[Sarah Threlkeld · Rating 4 out of 5]

Funny, fascinating, and informative!