Tuesday, December 8, 2020

Snail Crossing by Corey R. Tabor

  There's often a bit of a gulf between some of the more... inspirational.... type of books teachers want for their classrooms and what I'd prefer to purchase for my general library population. So when I find a book that hits both levels, it's a happy, happy thing.

Corey R. Tabor, creator of the delightful Fox picture books and easy readers, is branching out into a new character - a snail! Soft, swirling watercolors with dabs of bright colors introduce Snail, a sweet pink creature with a blue slime trail and a plan - travel across the road to reach a field of lovely green cabbages. Snail slowly works across the road - nothing is going to stop him! Not a car, a group of rude ants, or a rainstorm. In fact, Snail being the kind creature he is, he invites the ants to take shelter in his shell during the rain and they have a very nice tea party.

After his little break, he's ready to tackle the road again, avoiding hungry crows, and finally makes it... only to make the depressing discovery that he's right back where he started! Does Snail have the determination to make the long journey all over again - or is there another way?

The themes of determination, resilience, and kindness resound throughout this book, as Snail makes his way towards his goal and finds some unexpected friends along the way. The soft watercolors and gentle humor make this a sweet storytime read and it has a timeless feel that will appeal to kids and adults alike.

Verdict: A nice choice for starting conversations about resilience, determination, and kindness to others as well as a fun story with delightful details to inspect. Recommended.

ISBN: 9780062878007; Published February 2020 by Balzer & Bray; Borrowed from another library in my consortium

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