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Slugs
Suggests many unpleasant things that can be done with and to slugs and warns that even the lowly slug may have its revenge.
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First published May 1, 1983
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
May 28, 2024
All the ways you can interact with a slug if you wanted to. I really don't want to, so this book was a little different from most books I read. I give it lots of credit for being original; I find I can enjoy and appreciate a book just on originality if it is done well. I showed this book to my mother; the look on her face - she is a gardener and hates slugs with a passion!
December 3, 2012
Until very recently I had almost been convinced that this book was a figment of my childhood imagination!
From the age of perhaps 4 - 9 this was, hands down, my favourite book: it was funny, gruesome and scary.
However, having described this book as an adult to various people (all of whom have stared blankly at me in return) I have universally been met with scepticism about the books existence (particularly regarding the dark and dastardly way the slugs exact their revenge).
So imagine my surprise when my sister discovered our copy of the book when she moved house.
As an adult it still doesn't disappoint.
This is a book that (as a parent myself now) you may think twice about letting your kids read: it is dark, funny, gruesome horrifying (in places) and oozes an unsettling atmosphere throughout.
Don't - this is a must for kids in my opinion - it is dark, funny... (see above).
Devishly funny and delighting in the slugs revenge - it gives the reader a mischievous sense of reading something you probably shouldn't be.
We too often unnecessarily censor books like these for our children thinking that they may somehow 'scar' them in the future. I couldn't disagree more.
This is everything a child should be reading.
From the age of perhaps 4 - 9 this was, hands down, my favourite book: it was funny, gruesome and scary.
However, having described this book as an adult to various people (all of whom have stared blankly at me in return) I have universally been met with scepticism about the books existence (particularly regarding the dark and dastardly way the slugs exact their revenge).
So imagine my surprise when my sister discovered our copy of the book when she moved house.
As an adult it still doesn't disappoint.
This is a book that (as a parent myself now) you may think twice about letting your kids read: it is dark, funny, gruesome horrifying (in places) and oozes an unsettling atmosphere throughout.
Don't - this is a must for kids in my opinion - it is dark, funny... (see above).
Devishly funny and delighting in the slugs revenge - it gives the reader a mischievous sense of reading something you probably shouldn't be.
We too often unnecessarily censor books like these for our children thinking that they may somehow 'scar' them in the future. I couldn't disagree more.
This is everything a child should be reading.
May 3, 2012
Is there a better book about slugs? I THINK NOT.
June 6, 2021
Just had this book read to me and the sibs over zoom by my brother-in-law. Words cannot describe.
December 20, 2015
This book is insane! What a delicious combination of the disgusting, horrifying, and surreal!
I can't decide which verse is my favorite, but this one might come close:
"They live in houses, trailers, slums
Wealthy Slugs sail giant yachts
Slugs are cowboys, Slugs are bums
Slugs are even astronauts"
The book's 28 verses detail all the atrocious things you can do to and with slugs including: shooting them off in fireworks, wearing them as ear plugs, using them to polish antiques, and dropping them in a blender. But remember that old adage-- 'the worm has turned?' Well, in the case of this story you could say that the slug has turned, as this depraved little gem concludes with a gruesome revenge exacted by the long-suffering slugs.
Highly recommended for children of all ages!
I can't decide which verse is my favorite, but this one might come close:
"They live in houses, trailers, slums
Wealthy Slugs sail giant yachts
Slugs are cowboys, Slugs are bums
Slugs are even astronauts"
The book's 28 verses detail all the atrocious things you can do to and with slugs including: shooting them off in fireworks, wearing them as ear plugs, using them to polish antiques, and dropping them in a blender. But remember that old adage-- 'the worm has turned?' Well, in the case of this story you could say that the slug has turned, as this depraved little gem concludes with a gruesome revenge exacted by the long-suffering slugs.
Highly recommended for children of all ages!
July 5, 2010
Greenberg came to our class for some poetry writing lessons. He autographed this book for us. We really liked this one. Disgusting!
****
Beetle pulled this off the shelf tonight for us to read. The rhymes are simple and designed for children to enjoy. Other than that, it is a rather simple poem about slugs and what can be done to them. PETA I am sure would not approve.
I have several Greenberg books and a stuffed slug that I purchased directly from him. He visited my classroom circa 1996. He conducted some writing workshops with my fourth graders.
****
Beetle pulled this off the shelf tonight for us to read. The rhymes are simple and designed for children to enjoy. Other than that, it is a rather simple poem about slugs and what can be done to them. PETA I am sure would not approve.
I have several Greenberg books and a stuffed slug that I purchased directly from him. He visited my classroom circa 1996. He conducted some writing workshops with my fourth graders.
September 30, 2008
At first I was appalled at how the book suggested we treat slugs (even though I think they're disgusting). Then I read the last line of the book.
"Hang them from a Christmas tree
Mix them with your Easter sweets
Carve one like a pumpkin
Hand them out for trick-or-treats. . .
Then they'll stuff you in a garbage can
And leave you overnight.
And after how you've treated slugs,
It surely serves you right!"
"Hang them from a Christmas tree
Mix them with your Easter sweets
Carve one like a pumpkin
Hand them out for trick-or-treats. . .
Then they'll stuff you in a garbage can
And leave you overnight.
And after how you've treated slugs,
It surely serves you right!"
February 7, 2010
I found this gem in a library book sale, buried beneath all of the commercial Disney books. The story is a little dark - exploring all the lovely ways humans can consume and destroy slugs...and then flipping that by having the slugs come out on top in the end. But I fell in love with the illustrations because the slugs had such personality and the humans were so gluttonous. A charmer that I'm sure has an audience with some.
August 7, 2009
Disturbing and disgusting, funny and a warning. Don't mess with slugs or they'll mess with you.
August 16, 2009
OMG! what an absolutely crazy book. we got it at a yard sale a few years ago. i dont think i even have words for this one? my kids laugh the whole way thru. i read it like a doctor seuss book with all the rhyming. read it and let me know what you think!
January 12, 2010
What did I learn from this book, dear Goodreads? I learned everything I know in life from this book.
Okay, maybe not, but it was one of our family's favorites when I was little and I was thrilled to see it on on the shelf @ Elliot Bay - bought copies for everyone and sent them in the post.
Okay, maybe not, but it was one of our family's favorites when I was little and I was thrilled to see it on on the shelf @ Elliot Bay - bought copies for everyone and sent them in the post.
May 24, 2016
Zappo Zingo!
The craziest book you'll ever read about slugs. Just remember all that crazy shit you've done to slugs, they remember what you did and payback my friends.... beware the slugs who seek revenge......
The craziest book you'll ever read about slugs. Just remember all that crazy shit you've done to slugs, they remember what you did and payback my friends.... beware the slugs who seek revenge......
October 6, 2007
I absolutely love this book and read it to anyone who will let me!
November 23, 2007
swallow a slug
by its tail or its snout
feel it slide down
feel it climb out
how can i not love this book? it's been a favorite since I discovered it at the age of 7.
by its tail or its snout
feel it slide down
feel it climb out
how can i not love this book? it's been a favorite since I discovered it at the age of 7.
December 17, 2007
This is one of my favorite kids books that my Grammy introduced me to. It is hilarious. Definitely a book you should have on your shelves if you have kids, or just want a good laugh.
March 17, 2008
A great book to read with your children! Grosso-mosso! ;)
March 7, 2012
I'd give this 100 stars if I could!
March 15, 2016
Wonderful. But it turned me against aubergines and mushrooms for a while.
May 28, 2016
Most of this book leads one to believe that a sociopath wrote it.
I am simultaneously disgusted and rolling in laughter. It is, simply put, amazing. And gross.
(Mostly gross.)
I am simultaneously disgusted and rolling in laughter. It is, simply put, amazing. And gross.
(Mostly gross.)
December 22, 2016
Such a silly, wonderful book based on the old kids song about banana slugs!
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October 24, 2025Disturbing book. It’s supposed to be a children’s book? The illustrations are creepy too.
Who’s giving this a 5 star rating? 😅
Who’s giving this a 5 star rating? 😅
November 19, 2024
Hilarious. Cool illustrations. Great message- don’t fuck with slugs.
January 19, 2025
This is the most disturbing book from my childhood. Don't read this to children.
July 12, 2024
5 stars for the nostalgia.
February 25, 2024
This is, without a doubt, the worst book I have ever read. I’m in high school, and my whole life I thought I maybe just imagined this haunting tale that my first grade teacher had read us. I told my friend about it, and she thought it wasn’t real. She said it probably wasn’t as bad as I remembered. So I found the book to prove her wrong. And oh boy. It was so much worse than I could have ever dreamed.
If you consider buying this book, it belongs on your shelves beside Fifty Shades of Grey, because that is how unsuitable it is for children.
I doubt I will ever sleep again. I regularly watch pimple popping and hoof cleaning videos, and nothing makes me queasy. But as I read this, I felt like puking. My tender, innocent ears have been violated by this wretched cyst on humanity’s backside.
I am generally against banning books, but I believe that this should never be allowed in the walls of any school again. Perhaps if you like movies like Saw and The Shining, you can read this book after a movie night, if none of your favorite films gave you the thrill you were seeking.
I would rather clean out all the bathrooms in Grand Central Station with my tongue (credit to Weird Al Yankovic) than ever read this book again.
I must end this review, because I am off to the wilderness to find an herb only spoken of in legends, to help the consumer forget their worst memory. Let’s pray the slugs don’t find me.
the author did use some great vocabulary tho
If you consider buying this book, it belongs on your shelves beside Fifty Shades of Grey, because that is how unsuitable it is for children.
I doubt I will ever sleep again. I regularly watch pimple popping and hoof cleaning videos, and nothing makes me queasy. But as I read this, I felt like puking. My tender, innocent ears have been violated by this wretched cyst on humanity’s backside.
I am generally against banning books, but I believe that this should never be allowed in the walls of any school again. Perhaps if you like movies like Saw and The Shining, you can read this book after a movie night, if none of your favorite films gave you the thrill you were seeking.
I would rather clean out all the bathrooms in Grand Central Station with my tongue (credit to Weird Al Yankovic) than ever read this book again.
I must end this review, because I am off to the wilderness to find an herb only spoken of in legends, to help the consumer forget their worst memory. Let’s pray the slugs don’t find me.
the author did use some great vocabulary tho
October 7, 2018
I found this on a shelf and had never seen it, so decided to read it. Maybe I’m being too serious or sensitive to this book, but I couldn’t even finish it. It’s basically a book that has a few things of what you could do with a slug if you wanted to. Some were harmless, like taking it for a walk. But then you get into things such as carving one like a pumpkin, sizzling them on light bulbs, and popping them in the microwave?! I don’t care for slugs, but who writes this stuff and would want a child to read it? I understand it’s supposed to be funny...but there’s kids out there that would read it and think to try all these things. Yuck. Definitely avoiding this book forever.
So, I ended up reading the end...and it does slightly justify the story for what happened to the slugs...but it’s still awful.
So, I ended up reading the end...and it does slightly justify the story for what happened to the slugs...but it’s still awful.
November 20, 2017
Creepy illustrations, disturbing actions, and an unsettling ending. This is a hidden gem! Definitely not for the smallest ones, because it may freak them out a little. I would use this book as an unconventional way to talk about engineering. I would talk about various uses for things that may not be "traditional", and then give the students everyday items to create a new invention.
Grade level: 1-3
Genre: Fiction
Grade level: 1-3
Genre: Fiction
February 23, 2010
I don't know what to make of this! It's creepy! The slugs are mostly human-size (except when they're stuffed up your nose or right between your toes) and well, excuse me for pointing this out, look like nothing so much as big dog turds. I was completely revolted by this book, and yet terribly disappointed that our last copy of "Bugs" is lost!
May 8, 2008
Oozingly delightful gastropodian poetry characterized by hilarious (yet revolting) illustrations.
CIP: Suggests many unpleasant things that can be done with and to slugs and warns that even the lowly slug may have its revenge.
CIP: Suggests many unpleasant things that can be done with and to slugs and warns that even the lowly slug may have its revenge.
May 24, 2007
"Slick a slug with Super Glue
Stick it on your sister Sue
Place another, maybe two
In her favorite high-heel shoe"
Stick it on your sister Sue
Place another, maybe two
In her favorite high-heel shoe"
Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews