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Snail and Slug
From the critically acclaimed author of The Perfect Pumpkin Pie comes a picture book about the friendship between a snail and a slug that teaches readers how good friends can help you do anything, including finding the courage to make a difference.
It’s a hot, hot day and Snail invites her new friend Slug into her home for some iced tea—who knew that a snail’s shell is so roomy! When the two decide to have a picnic outside in the shade, a big mean ol’ banana slug demands that they fork over their lettuce! But with a little bit of courage, friendship, and a dash of salt, the pair will find the strength they need to stand up to him.
It’s a hot, hot day and Snail invites her new friend Slug into her home for some iced tea—who knew that a snail’s shell is so roomy! When the two decide to have a picnic outside in the shade, a big mean ol’ banana slug demands that they fork over their lettuce! But with a little bit of courage, friendship, and a dash of salt, the pair will find the strength they need to stand up to him.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published May 3, 2016
18 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
April 26, 2017
When a slug and snail come upon one another, they become quick friends. In an act of generosity, Snail invites Slug inside, surprising everyone by the spacious nature. Soon realising that they are quite similar, the friendship deepens, so much so that they fend off a mutual enemy. A cute story that Neo found interesting, though he did ask me if you could actually fit a piano inside a snail's shell.
February 1, 2017
Lordy, this is the most lesbian book I've read in years. Let's fight the man and drink tea. I used to have dates like this.
May 1, 2017
Story: 2 stars
Illustrations: 3 stars
While this picture book conveys a well-meaning story of friendship, some of the text is a bit rough for the intended age group. For example, this appears on the first page:
"Tell me about it!" said Slug. "Any hotter and I'd look like I'd been sizzled in a bowl of salt!"
Unfortunately, this is not the only questionable text in the book, which is a shame because the overall message of the book is about developing symbiotic relationships. I'm also not sure how much the picture book crowd will relate to a pair of widows, even disguised as animals.
Art style is inconsistent. The cozy home interiors don't match the more nature-oriented outdoorsy illustrations.
Illustrations: 3 stars
While this picture book conveys a well-meaning story of friendship, some of the text is a bit rough for the intended age group. For example, this appears on the first page:
"Tell me about it!" said Slug. "Any hotter and I'd look like I'd been sizzled in a bowl of salt!"
Unfortunately, this is not the only questionable text in the book, which is a shame because the overall message of the book is about developing symbiotic relationships. I'm also not sure how much the picture book crowd will relate to a pair of widows, even disguised as animals.
Art style is inconsistent. The cozy home interiors don't match the more nature-oriented outdoorsy illustrations.
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December 5, 2016Long time Denys Cazet fan. This is not his greatest work. Unless you count the pictures. I guess. But who reads Denys Cazet for the pictures? I was secretly hoping for a reference to a missing jelly donut, a lumpy misshapen sweater, a rooster in therapy, some pigs that, well, do something - I don't remember what... alas, all my favorite characters were missing. I suppose I'll have to start my cream filled donut diet tomorrow without Minnie and Moo.
September 10, 2020
Grade Level 2-3 Picture Book
This story is about the start of a snail and a slug bestfriend ship. Through the story they are getting introduced to each other finding out with they have in common and their differences. I thought it was cute how they're difference complimented one another. I found the writing to be engaging. I couldn't predict the plot. It suprised me when the conflict got heightened. I love banana slugs and he says my favorite line of the book. The text really surprised me, it's fun, witty, and full of personality.
The illustration have smooth and big lines,pastel colors, only the foreground and character were drawn in focus. Though the characters didn't have a pretty face;they gave plenty of details to help readers discern the difference of each species. The four eyes are a visual cue that these species see with their antennas. The size of each characters and the snail shell aids the distinction.
This story is about the start of a snail and a slug bestfriend ship. Through the story they are getting introduced to each other finding out with they have in common and their differences. I thought it was cute how they're difference complimented one another. I found the writing to be engaging. I couldn't predict the plot. It suprised me when the conflict got heightened. I love banana slugs and he says my favorite line of the book. The text really surprised me, it's fun, witty, and full of personality.
The illustration have smooth and big lines,pastel colors, only the foreground and character were drawn in focus. Though the characters didn't have a pretty face;they gave plenty of details to help readers discern the difference of each species. The four eyes are a visual cue that these species see with their antennas. The size of each characters and the snail shell aids the distinction.
September 7, 2021
This book has so much potential, but it was poorly executed.
There are two characters, both females, one is a slug and one is a snail. The way the formatting and editing has been done, I spent the bulk of the book trying to figure out who was doing the speaking. When you are confused, the story will not carry. And one shouldn't have to read a book three times through to figure it out before reading it aloud.
One simple solution would have been to color code the speakers, pink text for one character, blue text for the other. But that should have been the editor's job. My apologies to author/illustrator.
There are two characters, both females, one is a slug and one is a snail. The way the formatting and editing has been done, I spent the bulk of the book trying to figure out who was doing the speaking. When you are confused, the story will not carry. And one shouldn't have to read a book three times through to figure it out before reading it aloud.
One simple solution would have been to color code the speakers, pink text for one character, blue text for the other. But that should have been the editor's job. My apologies to author/illustrator.
September 26, 2017
What a sweet story about friendship!
January 24, 2018
Cute, slug and snail make friends. Snail invites slug inside into his roomy home. They fight off a monster. Then they enjoy the roomy home, with a basement AND an attic with a piano in it.
April 14, 2021
It appears I'm not a fan of this author/illustrator's style. Something irks me with this book - the friendship piece is nice, but just overall not a huge fan.
August 21, 2025
I really wanted to enjoy this more than I did. I did not find the illustrations very cute, or the story very engaging. I do not think children would relate very well to the widower concept either.
September 4, 2016
"You can't always judge a book by its cover," and this is relevant to this book itself! I didn't think I liked snails or slugs, but I'm becoming attached to these two poor widows as they become friends and housemates. There's also a lesson here about how friends each bring something different to the relationship that enhances both lives.
The danger in the middle of the story brings suspense, and may have young readers asking about how salt hurts slugs.
Color illustrations show natural outdoors, but a pink slug and a blue snail. The closeups are clear, but many pages have fuzzy edges, purposely out of focus.
Perfect story for an introduction to these often misunderstood creatures as well as friendships and being brave!
The danger in the middle of the story brings suspense, and may have young readers asking about how salt hurts slugs.
Color illustrations show natural outdoors, but a pink slug and a blue snail. The closeups are clear, but many pages have fuzzy edges, purposely out of focus.
Perfect story for an introduction to these often misunderstood creatures as well as friendships and being brave!
February 1, 2016
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REVIEW BY: Angelina, age 9 years, 3 months
MAY CONTAIN SPOILER:
This book was great!
It is about a slug and a snail. The snail had a huge house and the slug came over to the snail's house. The slug told the snail that he has a huge house and then they went on a picnic. The snail asked the slug if he wanted to live with her. Then they join forces against the big mean banana slug guy.
My favorite character is the slug because he is cool and makes me laugh. My favorite part is when they live together because it is nice and they have such a great friendship.
REVIEW BY: Angelina, age 9 years, 3 months
MAY CONTAIN SPOILER:
This book was great!
It is about a slug and a snail. The snail had a huge house and the slug came over to the snail's house. The slug told the snail that he has a huge house and then they went on a picnic. The snail asked the slug if he wanted to live with her. Then they join forces against the big mean banana slug guy.
My favorite character is the slug because he is cool and makes me laugh. My favorite part is when they live together because it is nice and they have such a great friendship.
August 18, 2016
This is the worst picture book I've read in a long time, and I've been reading a TON lately for a huge storytime kit project--I mean I check out like 80 at a time...every few days. The illustrations are "creepy" like another reviewer mentioned and the story is...weird, at best. Here's an example: '"Oh!" said Snail. "That was Mr. Snail. He was eaten by a robin." Slug gasped. "Oh! I'm so sorry." "Yes," replied Snail. "You just never know." "No, you never do. Mr. Slug was eaten by a toad.' What?! And the slug going inside the snail's shell was strange. I know it's supposed to be her house, but it still felt awkward. Like the whole "story."
Want to read
May 16, 2021Note: I accessed a digital review copy of this book through Edelweiss.
July 3, 2016
While the meaning behind the story was a good one I could not get over the creepy character illustrations, it just was off-putting throughout the entire story and I just couldn't get over it.
I received this advanced copy from Atheneum/Richard Jackson Books through Edelweiss in exchange for my honest review.
I received this advanced copy from Atheneum/Richard Jackson Books through Edelweiss in exchange for my honest review.
September 13, 2016
This is an odd little book, and I feel like there's something going on beneath the surface between these two characters, but I don't want to read too much into it. It's a bit trippy, and doesn't answer all of our questions, and I like it for that. I'm curious about what kinds of questions kids might ask or what they migh think after reading it.
January 18, 2016
I read this as an E-ARC from Edelweiss. This tells about two friends getting to know each other and working together at the end against the evil creature, Four Eyes. I love the descriptions of Snail's house, because there's a lot in that shell that readers would not have otherwise imagined.
May 16, 2016
Sometimes I end up with books in my collection and I can't remember how on earth they ended up on my radar in the first place. I typically order based on positive reviews...so what was this reviewer talking about? Not my cup of tea-I just don't know where it goes....
June 8, 2016
Snail and Slug realize they have a lot in common even though Slug doesn't have a nice shell home like Snail. One likes to cook the other likes to read, so they decide to live together in Snail's home and share the chores as well as the shell.
November 16, 2016
The font bothers me and the illustrations of the animals make them look like they have weird old men faces, but overall a decent story about sticking up for your friends and sharing and caring together that would be good for those looking for "lesson" books for kindergartners.
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November 17, 2016It's a hot day - Slug feels like she will melt! Luckily, her friend Snail has a solution - come into my house - it's bigger on the inside. What will they do today?
Friendship, problem-solving
Too long for read aloud except with school-age children
Friendship, problem-solving
Too long for read aloud except with school-age children
January 16, 2016
What a weirdly charming little book!
March 3, 2016
Solid message about friendship, but the overall context did not grab me.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews