The Snail and the Whale

Julia Donaldson/Axel Scheffler books are works of art. The stories are written beautifully, rhyming with a rhythm that sets the pace. This ensures that as an adult I do not get bored reading the same stories over and over again as the more familiar the story becomes the more I can work on my expression and how I deliver giving me almost as joyful an experience as that of my son listening to them. I feel excited when he brings me a book and then we can have a short bonding session over the story before he goes off to play again. The books describe simple everyday scenes and experiences that a child might encounter helping them make sense of the world around them, mixed with magical characters like dragons, witches, Santa etc. Alex Schefflers artwork is beautiful complements the stories perfectly. The same characters often pop up in different books, whether it be the Gruffalo Child’s stick man in his own story or simply a squirrel and a frog. This helps my son who is fifteen months old develop his own narrative. He does not understand the words I am reading but gets plenty from the rhythm and my intonation whilst building his own story and understanding from the pictures, he is always pointing different characters out to me or finding them when I ask where they are. He loves books and I think that these books enhance a joy of reading and learning. He brings the books to me time and time again. This story has fast become one of my personal favourite Juliua Donaldson books. My son loves having me read to him and because he is not speaking yet cannot tell me what it is about the book, but as we turn the pages of the different scenes from around the world I can see that it has a very special meaning and fascination for him, making it a journey of discovery for me too. Perhaps one day he might tell me what was so special for him or maybe he won't remember. But right now, we're enjoying the magic.

We love this book, it's a favorite. I've been trying to buy it to gift to a friend, but I've had to return it three times because each book is damaged in the same way. They are warped and won't close properly, they like have been stored badly. Three copies in exactly the same way. I'm going to have to give up and buy one from a bookshop. It's not good enough to give as a gift.

My daughter is a big fan of her books so we have a collection at home. This is probably my favourite, I like the flow of the story, the rhyming words, the message to inspire travel and adventure, and the beautiful illustrations throughout. We like the film version too!

Love this book - Julia's books are always so great!! The kids will love it!

My 3½ year old twin niece and nephew adore these books and this one doesnt let them down.

Charming children’s book Nicely illustrated

Can't recommend more, brilliant book

This book, like all Julia Donaldson's rhyming books, is very helpful for language development in small children. The story is a little complex for the youngest, however; the two-year-olds I bought it for have been enjoying identifying the volcano, the monkey climbing the tree and the seals and penguins in the land of ice and snow but can't fully follow the storyline. We've been talking about the lightning zigzagging across the sky and the storm, how it frightens the snail. They like the under sea picture and start singing "Daddy Shark do do do do" when they see the sharks swimming around, and I have been teaching them all the names for the under sea creatures (they can say "anemone" better than me now!) They love the scene where the tide comes in and takes the whale back out to sea and all the children are waving goodbye. One little boy in the picture is crying when everybody else is smiling and waving, and that makes them laugh. However, the actual story, sentence structure and language used is a little complex for them. Words like "frolicked" are a bit beyond them. I find I have to shorten most of the text and just read the first couple of lines on most of the pages or they lose interest. Obviously this is something that will change as they grow older. I'd say this story is more suitable for slightly older children, perhaps 4 to 5 year olds. There is one issue I have with this book, given the age group it is aimed at. There is a very strict, punitive teacher in the story who has a cross look on her face and her only interaction with her class is to say "sit still! Don't wriggle! Don't talk!" which is very 1980s and may put children off school just as they are starting! Also, she has a blackboard and chalk which is very out of date these days, as most children have an interactive electronic whiteboard in their classrooms. So the whole premise of the snail being able to leave a trail on the blackboard to write "Save the Whale" would be over the heads of most children as they don't know what a blackboard is anymore. It's these little details that give away Julia Donaldson's age. However, the rhyming is very pleasing and rhythmic.

A board book just the right size and excellent quality.

A Lovely story with lovely illustrations for toddlers

My son loves this book. Quality is good.

Very good quality of the book. The story is adorable and my children love it. It's short, it's got rhyme and it's pleasant to read.

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