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Escargot #1
Escargot
Say Bonjour! to the first picture book in the bestselling Escargot series about a cute French snail and his laugh-out-loud adventures.
Escargot is an adorable French snail who only wants two things: 1) To be your favorite animal, and 2) To eat the delicious salad at the end of this book. Except this delicious salad has a carrot in it. And Escargot hates carrots. But when he finally tries one—with a little help from you!—he realizes that it’s not so bad after all.
From New York Times–bestselling author Dashka Slater and former Pixar animator Sydney Hanson, Escargot is an irresistibly sweet and charming story about a snail who might be a picky eater but definitely wants to be your new best friend. This hilarious and interactive addition to the award-winning Escargot series is the ideal read aloud for story time and animal lovers alike.
Escargot is also available as a board book for babies and toddlers up to 3 years old.
Don’t miss Escargot’s other funny and heartwarming adventures for kids ages 4-6 in:
● A Book for Escargot
● Love, Escargot (also available as a board book for babies and toddlers up to 3 years old)
● Escargot and the Search for Spring
Escargot is an adorable French snail who only wants two things: 1) To be your favorite animal, and 2) To eat the delicious salad at the end of this book. Except this delicious salad has a carrot in it. And Escargot hates carrots. But when he finally tries one—with a little help from you!—he realizes that it’s not so bad after all.
From New York Times–bestselling author Dashka Slater and former Pixar animator Sydney Hanson, Escargot is an irresistibly sweet and charming story about a snail who might be a picky eater but definitely wants to be your new best friend. This hilarious and interactive addition to the award-winning Escargot series is the ideal read aloud for story time and animal lovers alike.
Escargot is also available as a board book for babies and toddlers up to 3 years old.
Don’t miss Escargot’s other funny and heartwarming adventures for kids ages 4-6 in:
● A Book for Escargot
● Love, Escargot (also available as a board book for babies and toddlers up to 3 years old)
● Escargot and the Search for Spring
40 pages, Hardcover
First published April 11, 2017
242 people are currently reading
1021 people want to read
About the author
Dashka Slater
30 books471 followersDashka Slater’s novel, The Wishing Box, was named one of the best books of the year by the Los Angeles Times, which called it “an impish novel, hopeful and full of humor.” She is the author of four acclaimed children's books: Baby Shoes; Firefighters in the Dark; The Sea Serpent and Me and Dangerously Ever After. She has two picture books forthcoming in 2017, as well as the much-anticipated Young Adult non-fiction narrative The 57 Bus.
Slater is also an award-winning journalist who has written for such publications as Newsweek, More, Salon, Mother Jones, Sierra, and The New York Times Magazine. The recipient of a Creative Writing Fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts, she is currently working on new books for both children and adults. Learn more at www.dashkaslater.com.
Slater is also an award-winning journalist who has written for such publications as Newsweek, More, Salon, Mother Jones, Sierra, and The New York Times Magazine. The recipient of a Creative Writing Fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts, she is currently working on new books for both children and adults. Learn more at www.dashkaslater.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 681 reviews
February 16, 2026
"Bonjour! I see you are staring at me! I don't mind. My name is Escargot, and I am such a beautiful French snail that everyone stares at me."Escargot is a charming, confident and lovable snail - who is bound and determined to get to the salad (with croutons and a light vinaigrette) at the end of the book.
As we follow him on this journey, he begins to open up to us.
But Escargot does his best to show off his shimmery trail, his fierce roar and his kisses - but can he win us over? Could our favorite animal actually become a snail?
"Okay, no I will tell you the very sad thing: Nobody ever says their favorite animal is the snail."
YES! Absolutely YES!!! Words cannot express how much snails are my favorite animal right now. So stinking cute.
This is one of those books where the words are really good, but the illustrations are just fabulous.
The way Escargot roars at the carrot (and then scares himself) or his sad look when he talks about how snails tend not to be favorite animals - those moments are so perfectly captured in the pictures.
The story was light, sweet, a bit sassy, and a whole lot of fun. I am so excited for the next one in this series!!
June 3, 2018
Je t'aime, J'adore. Dear reader, this book breaks the fourth wall using a snail as a French cliche to tell the joke. The snail is so cute and leaves shimmery trails behind him. He is racing you in the book. He talks to you the whole time. He wants to convince you he is worthy of your favorite animal and to love salad.
I ended up loving this book. It is fantastique! I read it to the nephew and we had so much fun that my niece came in and we read it all over again. The nephew wanted to as much as my niece. This was a favorite here. They asked to read it again tomorrow.
I love the artwork and it is delightfully funny. Dashka has me hooked.
I ended up loving this book. It is fantastique! I read it to the nephew and we had so much fun that my niece came in and we read it all over again. The nephew wanted to as much as my niece. This was a favorite here. They asked to read it again tomorrow.
I love the artwork and it is delightfully funny. Dashka has me hooked.
November 27, 2022
I have small children - I had to stop reading this to them because of the amount of “kisses” the snail wanted when he felt bad about himself, in addition to him asking the child to “stroke his shell” the feel better. It was almost the entire book and took away from what could have been a good story (which the story was not good IMO either).
Kisses may not seem like a big deal, but I don’t want to teach my children that kissing is an acceptable response to a stranger or friend having a sad moment. Sends the wrong message for me.
Kisses may not seem like a big deal, but I don’t want to teach my children that kissing is an acceptable response to a stranger or friend having a sad moment. Sends the wrong message for me.
February 2, 2019
What is your favorite animal ? Mine is the french snail. Oh he so cute, so full of adorableness, and personality. He will win your heart and perhaps get you to eat your veggies with a bit more love. The artwork is beautiful, soft and colorful. There might be a lesson along the way about trying foods you've never tried before but know you hate, but I'll not spill that detail.
I will buy this as a gift for small children.
I will buy this as a gift for small children.
October 23, 2020
Featured in grandma reads session.
What a darling snail! I never would have thought to be so swept off my feet, and my crew, too. With his big black eyes, and his Frenchified ways, I found him irresistible. And all he wants is to be your favorite animal (instead of . . .perhaps, say, the earwig????).
He's been promoted to my new favorite animal.
4 stars, all exuding shimmery stuff (NOT slime).
What a darling snail! I never would have thought to be so swept off my feet, and my crew, too. With his big black eyes, and his Frenchified ways, I found him irresistible. And all he wants is to be your favorite animal (instead of . . .perhaps, say, the earwig????).
He's been promoted to my new favorite animal.
4 stars, all exuding shimmery stuff (NOT slime).
March 7, 2022
So cute! Perfect for read aloud.
Escargot is a sassy snail that is just trying to get to the salad at the end of the book. He also wants to be your favorite animal and maybe encourage you to try something new.
Check out Escargot and his slimy trail of awesomeness and you too will fall in love with him.
Escargot is a sassy snail that is just trying to get to the salad at the end of the book. He also wants to be your favorite animal and maybe encourage you to try something new.
Check out Escargot and his slimy trail of awesomeness and you too will fall in love with him.
April 24, 2017
This book is best read out-loud in a French accent... And I'm fairly sure no one is going to top Amy's story-time reading of it...
June 14, 2017
PLEASE WRITE A SEQUEL(S) to this book!
Let me explain.
I have a very "strong-willed" three-year-old daughter who is of the overly picky eater variety. It's bad. I cannot emphasize how exhausting this is. This book has helped our family so much, and we are so grateful. It's also just a lovely picture book.
This is hands-down Charlotte's favorite book and our favorite book to read as a family. It must be read in an excruciatingly bad fake French accent. I read it this way. My husband reads it this way. My mother-in-law even joins in - even our daughter can now give a "voice" to Escargot.
She has memorized most of this book. We read it on average twice per day. We have even purchased a tiny snail friend off of Amazon who serves as the unofficial Escargot at meals (marketing idea!) I have not yet told her what Escargot's name actually means...
We would love for Escargot to explore new adventures where he can make a fierce face at broccoli in a stir-fry, or bananas in a banana split (seriously, this kid won't eat anything - except small bits of carrots, now, thanks to this book!)
Thank you, thank you for this book!
Let me explain.
I have a very "strong-willed" three-year-old daughter who is of the overly picky eater variety. It's bad. I cannot emphasize how exhausting this is. This book has helped our family so much, and we are so grateful. It's also just a lovely picture book.
This is hands-down Charlotte's favorite book and our favorite book to read as a family. It must be read in an excruciatingly bad fake French accent. I read it this way. My husband reads it this way. My mother-in-law even joins in - even our daughter can now give a "voice" to Escargot.
She has memorized most of this book. We read it on average twice per day. We have even purchased a tiny snail friend off of Amazon who serves as the unofficial Escargot at meals (marketing idea!) I have not yet told her what Escargot's name actually means...
We would love for Escargot to explore new adventures where he can make a fierce face at broccoli in a stir-fry, or bananas in a banana split (seriously, this kid won't eat anything - except small bits of carrots, now, thanks to this book!)
Thank you, thank you for this book!
Read
August 31, 2021This little French snail desperately wants to be someone's favorite animal and to get to the wonderful salad at the other side of the table. He may need a bit of help in this read-aloud gem, that's even more fun when you use a french accent! C'est magnifique!!-Jen K.
October 19, 2017
This is another book that makes me wish I had an audience for a preschool story time this year.
It has a bit of audience participation built in, and will need to be read in a lovely French accent--think Maurice Chevalier, or if you've never heard of him, think Pepe Le Pew
And if you don't know him, your cartoon knowledge is sadly lacking. Voila:
In sum:J'adore "Escargot"!
It has a bit of audience participation built in, and will need to be read in a lovely French accent--think Maurice Chevalier, or if you've never heard of him, think Pepe Le Pew
And if you don't know him, your cartoon knowledge is sadly lacking. Voila:
In sum:J'adore "Escargot"!
September 17, 2016
I read an early copy of this book via work, with no obligation to leave a personal review.
I love Escargot, this book's title character, and you will too. Some French charm, beautiful illustrations, and cute all around--with a little message in there about not being too picky with your food, too. Escargot warmed his way into my heart.
I love Escargot, this book's title character, and you will too. Some French charm, beautiful illustrations, and cute all around--with a little message in there about not being too picky with your food, too. Escargot warmed his way into my heart.
August 22, 2019
This book MUST be read out loud with an OUTRAGEOUS French accent.
Afterwards, you might need to draw a small pencil mustache on your child's face and buy them a beret, and them give them a kiss MWAH!
Adorable little story about a snail with high self esteem in search of a salad without carrots (and who secretly thinks very highly of you).
Cute.
Afterwards, you might need to draw a small pencil mustache on your child's face and buy them a beret, and them give them a kiss MWAH!
Adorable little story about a snail with high self esteem in search of a salad without carrots (and who secretly thinks very highly of you).
Cute.
May 3, 2019
This was returned to the library today and I read the whole thing and what was I thinking giving this four stars? The snail basically the cutest most charming kids book character ever. My favorite animal is now the snail.
December 29, 2017
My children have now had me read this book thrice and if I don't hide it, I bet I'll be reading it again. To get 5 stars from me, the voice needs to be immediate and distinct that it makes you read it in character. And this one does, thankfully I knew the little French that is in there, but that could be a stumbling block if you want to read before hand to know if you have the pronunciation right if you know no French.
This book is the character talking directly to the children and so enticingly so that the children keep talking back, at least the 4 year old does, but the 6 and 11 year old were totally game to talk back to the snail too, and so I had to start ad-libbing responses because the 4 year old especially, though the others did occasionally, kept asking the snail really good questions that I just couldn't ignore. I'm usually a "non-fun out loud reader" that I often say "shhh, just listen to the story" but this one is so fun I was totally willing to make up story in the snail's voice on-the-spot for entertaining purposes.
Definitely one that went on my purchase list. I plan to read it to my small pre-k group because this is too fun to send back to the library until I do so. :)
This book is the character talking directly to the children and so enticingly so that the children keep talking back, at least the 4 year old does, but the 6 and 11 year old were totally game to talk back to the snail too, and so I had to start ad-libbing responses because the 4 year old especially, though the others did occasionally, kept asking the snail really good questions that I just couldn't ignore. I'm usually a "non-fun out loud reader" that I often say "shhh, just listen to the story" but this one is so fun I was totally willing to make up story in the snail's voice on-the-spot for entertaining purposes.
Definitely one that went on my purchase list. I plan to read it to my small pre-k group because this is too fun to send back to the library until I do so. :)
February 16, 2017
I double dog dare you to read this aloud without attempting a (bad, my case) French accent. Will be a blast at storytime.
April 21, 2017
4.5 stars - Adorable & funny. Must be read in a French accent.
November 3, 2019
Super duper cute! This escargot 🐌 was a fun “animal” to get to know. Interactive book too. My kids all loved it.
June 28, 2021
Why I gift this book series: Read in your best (or attempted best) French accent & your kid will want you to reread it often. Love the sweet interactions in this book.
May 30, 2018
Super cute! I loved how the book got you to interact with the story. My son had a lot of fun! I'm just sorry my poor baby had to listen to my god awful attempt at a French accent. At least it made him laugh!
January 20, 2026
Goofy silly book to put on your best fake French accent and read to your nieces and nephews.
November 26, 2022
Escargot is a French snail with a lot of personality. Determined to convince the reader to pick him as their favorite animal, he presents his many wonderful qualities, from the shimmery trail he leaves behind as he moves, to his speed in racing. Inviting readers to participate in the story, by taking certain actions - roaring like a lion, stroking Escargot's shell - our hero proceeds to the end, where a delicious salad awaits. But will Escargot be able to stomach the carrots that have somehow gotten into that salad...?
A sweet tale that includes some of the interactive elements that have become popular in picture-books of late - think of titles like Hervé Tullet's Press Here - Escargot features a winsome snail hero's journey, and appealing artwork. I enjoyed illustrator Sydney Hanson's work in Panda Pants , and I thought the visuals here were every bit as cute. Recommended to anyone looking for fun new picture-books that incorporate interactive elements into the storytelling process.
A sweet tale that includes some of the interactive elements that have become popular in picture-books of late - think of titles like Hervé Tullet's Press Here - Escargot features a winsome snail hero's journey, and appealing artwork. I enjoyed illustrator Sydney Hanson's work in Panda Pants , and I thought the visuals here were every bit as cute. Recommended to anyone looking for fun new picture-books that incorporate interactive elements into the storytelling process.
April 15, 2017
Funny, cute, and loving.
June 13, 2022
Snails are my favorite little Gastropods! Escargot's journey to the salad at the end of the book was so much fun! This would be awesome read aloud.
December 1, 2017
I'd like to hang out with Escargot any day.
August 31, 2020
I think I just fell in love with a snail.
December 13, 2023
This is a charming book about our favorite animal and every child should own a copy. Every adult too.
December 6, 2019
My husband, using his best French accent, read this one to the whole family tonight. We were all laughing out-loud and were even responding to this adorable French snail Escargot. Super cute. Any story that gets me roaring and making fierce faces at carrots is a winner. I can’t wait to read the next Escargot book.
December 13, 2023
We love this book. After reading, how can a snail *not* be your favorite animal (or at least, this delightful French snail)?
April 24, 2017
This book BRILLIANTLY breaks the fourth wall and calls for reader participation. Escargot's dry humor will please listeners of all ages, while the interactive elements will capture the attention of young readers. I cannot wait to read this at storytimes!
May 17, 2017
Cute! Had me giggling along. The entire book is a snail breaking the fourth wall and talking to the reader as he tries to get to the salad at the end of the book. Little kids will love the interactive elements when Escargot asks them to do something to help him along.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 681 reviews