Snail & Worm Again

Snail & Worm #2

by Tina Kügler

Geisel Honor Winner

In this silly sequel to Snail & Worm, the dynamic duo are back for more fun and giggles in three new comic shorts brimming with quirky humor and unflappable friendship. At turns clever and sweet, these laugh-out-loud stories are perfect for readers coming out of their own shells and making the transition between picture books and chapter books.
  

Genres: Picture Books, Friendship, Humor, Animals, Fiction, Childrens, Juvenile

32 pages, Hardcover

First published March 28, 2017

Reviews

[Joan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a Geisel Honor book. I enjoyed it a lot but I can't say I really felt it amazing and deserving of an award. It is sweet and funny in places. One story is about how Snail admires himself in a "mirror" which is actually a penny. He's looking at Lincoln's face and asks how handsome his various features are such as a beard. His friend, Worm, points out that he doesn't have a beard and that it isn't him in the "mirror'. I'll leave his conclusion for you to find out. There are a total of three stories. Again, very pleasant, but not anything exceptional in my opinion. A good purchase for libraries needing to improve their reader section.

[Cindy Mitchell *Kiss the Book* · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kügler, Tina Snail & Worm Again, PICTURE BOOK. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2017. $17. 9780544792494

Snail and Worm are best friends. One day a small feather falls on Snail who now thinks he has grown wings, Worm is sad because snail might fly away. In another chapter, Snail is dissatisfied with his shell - he wants it different, more like other things he sees. Worm tries to show Snail the good things about his shell. There’s also a chapter where Snail mistakes a penny for a mirror.

I wanted to like this more than I did. The characters weren’t loveable or sweet or even cute for that matter, and the humor wasn’t all that funny. I’m interested to see how a child responds to these stories - it just didn’t work for me.

EL (K-3) - OPTIONAL Lisa Librarian
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2018...

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book! Although classified as a picture book, it functions like an early reader, similar to the Elephant and Piggie books by Mo Willems. Funny and poignant, Snail and Worm have an excellent friendship.

[Shaye Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was laugh-out-loud funny! This 30-paged book is divided into three stories: Snails Wings, The Mirror, and Snail is Sad. I hate to merely describe it as being like Elephant & Piggie, but that’s become my go-to for the type of picture book humor that’s both funny, but also a little sobering (because it’s often about real-life problems).

I like that these different scenarios can open the door to discussing childhood problems because young readers will laugh, but also understand the issues. Laughter is good medicine! And snail and worm will truly be relatable to adults and children, alike. I just checked this one out from my library and now I can’t wait to share it with my children and hubby.

The illustrations are rendered with acrylic on pastel paper, collage, and digital media. And in case anyone was worried, there’s a notation that “no snails or worms were harmed in the making of this book.” What relief! I must own ALL the Snail & Worm books, now.

For this and more #kidlit, #mglit, and #yalit book reviews, please visit my blog: The Miller Memo.

[Kennedy Elder · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book for anyone who loves snails and worms 🪱🐌❤️

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really funny. A new favorite.

[Bridget · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is very fun!

[Max · Rating 3 out of 5]

The stories seem to end somewhat abruptly. Also a bit of a downer. The snail wasn't ready for wings? So sad!

[Kara Pushay · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book and this is was funny and sweet. It was a very creative and imaginative story. Little jokes are portrayed throughout the story which kept me laughing. I also liked how there was three different stories in this book. The scenarios of the story were child friendly which let the children connect to the book. It allows readers to understand the problems and to have a good laugh as well. This book also relates to friendship to show kids what it is like having a good and trusting friendship.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Snail & Worm go through 3 humorous vignettes about friendship. When a leaf falls on Snail's shell, he thinks he has grown wings. When he sees a penny, he thinks it is a mirror and he now has ears and a beard. When he feels sad that his shell doesn't look like other pretty things around him, Worm discovers how Snail's shell is somehow like each of those things.

A feel good I Can Read that would be good for older kid or preschool storytimes.

[Wendy McGaha · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book made me smile! It is a Geisel Honor winner, having met the criteria for being a beginner book that motivates children to read through the imaginative pictures and story being told. This book is age-appropriate for preschool/kindergarten-aged children because of the imaginative and creatively drawn illustrations and the simple, yet progressive way of sharing the stories. The pictures drawn are capable of telling the story without using words at all. The cover of the book uses a wrap-around illustration of the snail and worm seeming to be happy together, along with pictures of flowers and leaves. The flaps of the book quickly summarize the book in two sentences, along with a description of the author. The book seems to follow more of a panel theme of illustrations, but each page is different. The pictures and text will be divided accordingly on each page in the panel. For example, the third story where the snail is sad about his shell shows the pictures are on top of each other with the corresponding text beside it. There are a few pages that are considered a double-page spread, with the illustrations spanning two pages. For example, when the snail and worm are sad about the worm's wishes to fly away, the illustration shows one page with a sad worm, and the other page with a sad snail. The illustrator uses spot art as the medium of illustrating the pictures, and they are full of color that can help show the snail and worm's expressions and moods. The placement of the text is close to the spot art illustration that helps the readers know which "scene" corresponds with the text. The texture of the artwork seems to be drawn with pencil as you can see the faint pencil lines drawn around the snail and worm. The pictures are friendly, and seem as if you're watching old-school cartoons on paper. The colors most noted are green, pink, and orange, and the snail and worm are painted to what we would imagine them being color-wise, a pink worm and a green/orange snail. I would use this book with children as a "lesson to learn" book, as the book shares ideas of sadness, honesty, and friendship.

[Amie Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Illustrator: Tina Kugler

Copyright Date: 2017

Number of Pages: 32

Book Format: Hardcover

Grade or Reading Level: Grades 1-4

Genre: Fantasy

Lit Requirement: 1 Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor Book 2018

Topic Tags:snail, worm, friendship, humor

Summary & Review/Response:
Snail and Worm are best of friends and they love to do fun and silly things together. Snail starts off the book by finding a leaf and makes himself wings. He thinks he is going to fly away, until his wings fall off of him. Then, Snail and Worm find a shinny penny, which they think is a mirror. They cannot get over how handsome their reflections are. Lastly, snail begins to be a little insecure about his shell. He finds all of these objects that he wishes his shell would look like. However, with Worm's help, he realizes that his shell has all of those qualities but is different because it is his own unique shell.

I loved this silly, humorous book. The author took simple animals and objects and created a great story with them. Who knew something as simple as a leaf or a penny could be funny. I loved that the book also has an important lesson at the end. When an author can create an engaging, funny book that also has a great message, you know they did a great job. Overall, I would highly recommend this book to beginning readers. It is humorous but simple so I think children will really enjoy it.

[Jay Marshall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Summary:
Snail and Worm are friends, the book starts out by a leave landing on the snail's shell and he says he might fly away. Worm instantly gets sad thinking about his friend leaving him. Soon after, the leave blows off without the snail. Then they come across this penny and the Snail thinks it looks like him when is reality, it looks nothing like him. Then the Snail sees different things and says he wishes his shell looks like these things, like a flower, a bugs wings, and a rock). The Worm says you have some of these things but just in a different form.

Analysis:
The Snail is looking for things he wishes he could change about him but he overlooks the things that he has of the qualities that he wants so desperately. The Worm keeps reminding him that he is handsome even though he wants to look different and wishes he had other things. The Worm is teaching the Snail the value of self worth.

Application:
This would be a very great book to have in my opinion in the later years of elementary school and really maybe even middle school. Middle schoolers are always wishing they looked different whether that be taller, smaller, or bigger. Reinstilling the value of self worth and that they are beautiful and have incredible traits and features

[Kari Percival · Rating 5 out of 5]

I remember learning to read, and I remember they great joy, my tiny finger training across the page, in sounding out and comprehending the dead pan, almost dry comedy of Arnold Lobel's Frog and Toad are Friends. The slow pace of my blossoming reading ability actually highlighted the beautifully poignant moments of comedic drama and allowed the absorption of Lobel's sage wisdom behind the jokes, the genius hidden in the simplicity of the language.

While reading Snail & Worm Again with my five-year-old, I feel like Tina Kugler is renewing Lobel's tradition. For their effort of reading, early readers will find immediate rewards in comedy, sweetness of friendship, and a tiny helping of philosophic gravity. That there are three stories empowers readers to decide to keep reading on their own.

Kugler's whimsical, accessible, doodly illustrations show just what is needed, and I would think, the plus of encouraging any young reader to feel like they could pick up a pencil and start drawing, too.

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

First sentence: Hey! Wow! What is going on?

Premise/plot: Snail and Worm are back for three more stories in Tina Kugler's Snail and Worm Again. In the first story, Snail's Wings, Snail "grows" wings and prepares to fly away. But will he really??? In the second story, The Mirror, the two friends find a "mirror." What did they really find???? In the third story, Snail is Sad, Snail is having an off day because he doesn't feel all that special--to be exact, he doesn't think his shell is all that special. Can Worm cheer him up???

My thoughts: I enjoyed these three stories! I might even have enjoyed these three more than the original three. It's so hard to tell with books like these. The sequel books have a slight advantage in that you are already familiar with the characters and your expectations are usually right on.

I love the humor in these stories--well in two of the three stories. I love that so much depends on the artwork itself instead of the text. Especially in The Mirror!

I would recommend this one!!!

[Leah D · Rating 3 out of 5]

Genre: Easy to Read Book
Awards: Geisel Award
Audience: Grades K-2
A. I know that this book is an easy to read book because it has few words on a page. It has a limited amount of pages. There are repeated words and headers in order to help the young reader comprehend the story.
B. The illustrator uses perspective and color as visual elements in the story. There are few colors used within the illustrations. Majority of the background is a darker green while the worm and snail are different colors. This allows for the readers attention to be drawn towards the characters and keeps the reader focused.
C. I would use this book as a one on one story with a child. It is designed to help children learn how to read. I would have the student read the story to me in order for their reader skills to be assessed and for them to receive more practice at reading.
D. What human body part does the snail believe he has when looking at the penny? Ears

[Paul Stone · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is a fiction picture book. This book is about 2 friends, a snail and worm, that do everything together. The 2 friends take care of each other and help each other out. The is always the one that is confused and needs a little help from his friend the worm.

This book is okay, because the message of the book is to be your own character and you shouldn't compare yourself to other people. The pictures are drawn like a cartoon would be drawn, and with the words you're able to follow along with the story very well.

I would have this book in my classroom depending on the age group I was teaching. This book is very very basic reading, where a Kindergartner or a first grader would enjoy this book. Anyone older would think its too childish. The plus side to this book for all ages is, the message is a great message no matter the age group. Being yourself is important to know no matter how old you are.

[Ashlee Phagan · Rating 4 out of 5]

a. Summary: This book tells the story of two friends, snail and worm. The book contains three short stories of the two friends. The first story is about snail thinking he grew wings, the second story is about snail thinking a penny is a mirror, and the third story is about snail being sad his shell doesn’t look the way he wants it to.
b. Evaluation: This is a very cute book for beginning readers. It is extremely easy to read and can be easily broken up by story to elongate the book. Although short each story has a great underlying message for the reader to determine.
c. Teaching Point: This book can be used for beginning readers in showing the elements of a story. The teacher could have the students illustrate and write if possible another story for the snail and worm. Teaching the students that they can build on and create new stories based on this they have read.

[Kaylee Aulenbacher · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book is about two friends. a snail and a worm. one day the snail finds a feather on his shell and thinks it is a wing. the next day he finds a penny and thinks its a mirror. the last day he talks to worm about how he wishes he had a better shell. in the end of the book they are both very happy friends.

I liked this book because it is a great example of true friends. you have two completely different things that are friends and they talk like they are brothers.

I would use this book for many different things. i could use it to explore insects. a good science lesson could come out of this book. having the kids go outside and find these two animals would be good as well. i could also use this book as an example of self worth. being able to explain to the kids that even if they look different they are all still "handsome" or "beautiful" in their own way

[Ryan DeMarois]

Summary
Snail and Worm is about two friends, a snail and a worm, who go on an adventure together. It is a funny book. The snail throughout the whole book thinks that objects that do not look like him, a penny, a rock and a flower. The snail is sad when he realizes that he does not look like any of these things, but in the end the worm cheers him up by saying he looks like all of those things just in a different way.

Analysis
The Snail is desperate to find a beautiful thing he looks like, but ends up being sad when he realizes he looks nothing like them. The worm is a great friend because he comes in to save the day and helps the snail realize he is great in his own way.

Application
I think this would be a great book for elementary students who want to read a funny book about animals who are friends.

[Valeria Ayala-Nazario · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is about a snail who wishes to be like or have what other animals or other things in his surroundings have. His friend, the worm, is always there to tell him that he does not have to have what others have because he is perfect and a great snail. In the end, the snail realizes what the worm is saying and agrees.
This book was different from other books. The story did not have much to it, but the snail wishing to be certain ways and the worm helping the snail accept itself. I wish this book would have more plot to it for kids to understand it better and be more engaged with the book. Although this book had impeccable and good illustrations, it lacked dynamic. Every illustration seemed repetitive and this may bore young readers.

[Ashleigh Best · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Snail and Worm Again" is a great book for young children. It covers important topics, such as self-esteem and friendship. In this book, Snail and Worm have conversations about flying away, their reflections, and how they look. Through their conversations, the reader is able to see how each character feels about their friend and how they would react if they were not around. This allows the reader, especially young children, to see what good friends are like. Along with this, Snail and Worm model positive behaviors with one another, which allows children to see and repeat these actions with others. Due to these important topics integrated into the story (or stories, if you count the three sections of the book), this would be a great book to have in a children's library.

[Kelsey Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Snail & Worm Again is about two silly friends Snail and Worm who see things as a snail and worm would see them. This book consists of three short stories in one and they are too hilarious. The first one is when a leaf falls into Snail's shell and gets stuck so he thinks he has wings. Thankfully it is just a leaf because he didn't want to fly away and leave Worm anyway. The second story is when Snail finds a penny in the yard and thinks it is a mirror. He talks about how handsome he looks but Worm reminds him he doesn't have a beard like the picture so there is no way it could be him. Then, Worm decides it is actually him in the mirror not Snail, and Snail agrees. The last story is about how Snail wishes his shell was like all these other animals but Worm reminds him that his shell is unique because it is all the characteristics he wants in one shell. This book made me laugh out loud and I'm sure kids love it like I do.

[Becky B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Snail and Worm are back. This time Snail wakes up with wings, then the two friends find a mirror that causes a little identity crisis. And finally, Snail is sad his shell isn't like various other pretty things, but Worm has some great observations that make Snail feel better.

Snail and Worm made me laugh again. Their lines don't seem that special at first, but Kugler is a master at making subtle lines funny. Kids and adults alike should find several funny moments in here. I like that Snail and Worm's lines are written in different colors to help beginning readers learn how positioning of text can matter in books, especially in a graphic novel (it is done in panels though it is also a picture book). A very fun read for a beginning reader and adults reading aloud to kids too.

[Lisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Snail and Worm are best friends. One day a small feather falls on Snail who now thinks he has grown wings, Worm is sad because snail might fly away. In another chapter, Snail is dissatisfied with his shell - he wants it different, more like other things he sees. Worm tries to show Snail the good things about his shell. There’s also a chapter where Snail mistakes a penny for a mirror.

I wanted to like this more than I did. The characters weren’t loveable or sweet or even cute for that matter, and the humor wasn’t all that funny. I’m interested to see how a child responds to these stories - it just didn’t work for me.

Cross posted to http://kissthebook.blogspot.com CHECK IT OUT!

[Senecca Fuller · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is quite humorous but yet gives light to problems all people had gone through in their lives. Also, the book is unique since it tells three mini stories with a story. The snail and the worm allow the reader to use laughter and friendship between the two characters to solve their problems. There were three problems in the story. One problem was of how the snail being sad that his shell did not look pretty like the things around him and how the worm founds a way that the shell was pretty like each of those things. The book shows friendship and helpfulness with one another in a fun, silly way.

[Maria Rowe · Rating 3 out of 5]

• 2018 Geisel Honor Book •

This was a fun read but as a Geisel Honor Book, I was expecting more. The typography is rather dull and while the stories are mildly funny, it just doesn’t stand out like an Honor Book should. I also didn’t find the main characters all that endearing. They’re ok but just not characters I’m interested in all that much. It’s a decent book though and worth a read.

Materials used: “Tina used acrylic on pastel paper, collage, and digital media to create the illustrations. No snails or worms were harmed in the making of this book.”

Typeface used: Aldus LT Std

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can you hear that sound? It's the music of shared laughter. This happens when readers get to enjoy the company of their favorite characters over and over. When those characters maintain the personalities we've previously appreciated, it makes the hilarity far richer.

Another marvelous transformation takes place with the readers and listeners. When they leave the story walking out into the real world, a bear is no longer just a bear. It may be Winnie the Pooh. A spider is simply not a spider, it could be Charlotte. Our view of the world is changed forever.

Last year readers met two creeping, crawling companions whose brand of comedy will always have us giggling repeatedly. Snail & Worm: Three Stories About Two Friends won the Cybil Award for best Easy Reader. This lovable duo is back in Snail & Worm Again: Three Stories About Two Friends (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, March 28, 2017) written and illustrated by Tina Kugler. Neither will a snail nor a worm ever be anything but Snail and Worm. If you see one, you will be looking for the other. And you will be listening very carefully for their next outrageous and heartwarming chat.


My full recommendation: http://librariansquest.blogspot.com/2...

[Dain · Rating 5 out of 5]

Snail & Worm are having more adventures-Yea! Broken down into 3 short stories, they could be approprate reading for more advanced early readers, but probably not for beginners. Lovely, super funny & sweet, the illustrations go well with the story for clues, but I think some of the things happening will need explaining or may go over the head of real little ones, IMO. I LOVE these 2 friends though, and can't wait to share with my nephews. This would be appropriate for a small group or close-up story time, as the pictures are slightly more subtle.

[Andrea Cain · Rating 1 out of 5]

Book selection review #27

This book is humorous I think young children would really enjoy this book. It is not particularly my favorite, but the reflection of Abraham Lincoln is a cute part that made me chuckle. The book is a story of two friends a snail and a worm in the adventures they go on and the things that they discover and explore. The illustrations are simple and cute. The book uses comparisons, and we could be used to help young children learn and develop better comprehension of comparing and contrasting.