Love, Escargot

by Dashka Slater, Sydney Hanson (Illustrator)

Overview

Fall in love with this laugh-out-loud third picture book in the bestselling Escargot series about a cute French snail who attends a Valentine’s Day party—the perfect gift for Valentine’s Day or celebrating love all year round.

Bonjour! Today is Snailentine's Day, and Escargot is on his way to a party. Will his Snailentine be there? When he arrives, Escargot is a bit nervous and wants to hide in his shell. But in the end, he makes a surprising new friend in a fellow party guest.

From New York Times–bestselling author Dashka Slater and former Pixar animator Sydney Hanson, Love, Escargot is an irresistibly sweet and charming story about unexpected friendship, dealing with social anxiety, and Valentine’s Day fun. This hilarious and interactive addition to the award-winning Escargot series is the ideal read aloud for story time and animal lovers alike.

Love, Escargot is also available in 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:
● Escargot (also available as a board book for babies and toddlers up to 3 years old)
● A Book for Escargot
● Escargot and the Search for Spring

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780374314262
Publisher:	Farrar, Straus and Giroux
Publication date:	11/08/2022
Series:	Escargot
Pages:	40
Sales rank:	94,329
Product dimensions:	9.10(w) x 10.20(h) x 0.50(d)
Age Range:	4 - 6 Years

About the Author

Dashka Slater has written many picture books, including Escargot, which won the Wanda Gag Book Award; A Book for Escargot; Love, Escargot; Escargot and the Search for Spring; Baby Shoes; and The Antlered Ship, which was a Junior Library Guild Selection and received four starred reviews. Her New York Times–bestselling nonfiction young adult novel The 57 Bus won several accolades including the Stonewall Book Award and the Boston Globe–Horn Book Nonfiction Book Award. She lives in Berkeley, California.

Sydney Hanson is a children’s book illustrator living in Sierra Madre, California. She works in a combination of traditional and digital media to create her illustrations—her favorites are watercolor and colored pencil. She loves the outdoors and is a certified naturalist who spends most of her spare time poking around the woods with her Labrador retriever, Cash. To see all of her latest animals and illustrations, follow her on Instagram.

Editorial Reviews

School Library Journal 9 Books to Help Young Readers Feel the Love on Valentine's Day
PureWow 25 Valentine’s Day Books for Toddlers That Get the Holiday Right

"Breaking right through the fourth wall, the stylish snail encourages readers to embrace their snail selves . . . Sweet art means that when Escargot winsomely tells readers, 'You can kiss me if you like,' it’ll be hard for them to pass up the chance . . . Though love and snails rarely go together, it’s easy to be won over by this mighty mollusk." —Kirkus Reviews

"Though the narrative could easily ride on the sheer cuteness of its protagonist, Slater elevates it by seamlessly incorporating important themes into the lighthearted text. Escargot models kindness, demonstrates how to cope with daunting circumstances, and even introduces healthy relationship standards in a way that feels just right for a young audience: 'Your snailentine should be somebody who makes you feel magnifique' . . . Blending sweetness with substance, Escargot’s third picture book is a surefire hit for Valentine’s Day–themed story times." —School Library Journal

"Doesn’t disappoint . . . The illustrations in soft-pink hues immerse you in shimmering snail magic. It was love at first sight for this magnifique book." —New York Journal of Books

More Praise for the Escargot Series:

"Escargot’s voice is parfait." —Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, starred review, on Escargot

"Say bonjour to your new favorite animal, the garden snail! . . . Give this charming read-aloud a little extra joie de vivre by reading it in your best French accent." —Booklist on Escargot

"Escargot is a treat!" —Booklist on A Book for Escargot

"A fun interactive book that will have readers practicing their own over-the-top French accent." —School Library Journal on A Book for Escargot

From the Publisher

12/01/2022

PreS-Gr 2—The charming Escargot is back for a Valentine's Day adventure. On his way to a "Snailentine's Day" party, the well-dressed and mannerly snail breaks the fourth wall and invites readers to participate through movement and dancing. A moment of gentle conflict arises when the party turns out to be hosted by a vole instead of a snail, but Escargot quickly overcomes his shyness and makes a new friend when the delightful Volerie invites him to dance. The snail's vivacious monologue naturally invites a French-accented read-aloud, and soft, gently textured illustrations add an endearing touch. Though the narrative could easily ride on the sheer cuteness of its protagonist, Slater elevates it by seamlessly incorporating important themes into the lighthearted text. Escargot models kindness, demonstrates how to cope with daunting circumstances, and even introduces healthy relationship standards in a way that feels just right for a young audience: "Your snailentine should be somebody who makes you feel magnifique." VERDICT Blending sweetness with substance, Escargot's third picture book is a surefire hit for Valentine's Day—themed story times.—Allison Tran

School Library Journal

2022-08-31
Alors! Beaucoup de français abounds in this third outing starring everyone’s favorite francophone gastropod.

It’s Snailentine’s Day, and Escargot is dressing up to the nines. Why? Because Escargot has received an invitation to a party and is determined to arrive with the perfect outfit. Breaking right through the fourth wall, the stylish snail encourages readers to embrace their snail selves. After Escargot shows readers how to wave their tentacles, practice “shy-hiding,” and dance, it’s time to attend the party. However, Escargot experiences a bit of shell shock when it becomes clear that there are no other snails here—instead, it’s Volerie’s Volentine’s Day party. (“Do voles like snails? Do voles eat snails?”) Will Escargot embrace the unknown and dance with Volerie? But of course! Like a mini Maurice Chevalier, this sweet snail must come out of their shell after having waxed eloquent about what to do at a party. Truthfully, there’s not as much to this tale beyond the usual declaration not to judge a book by its cover. Be wary, though. Sweet art means that when Escargot winsomely tells readers, “You can kiss me if you like,” it’ll be hard for them to pass up the chance. Be prepared for a moist Valentine’s Day storytime. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

Though love and snails rarely go together, it’s easy to be won over by this mighty mollusk. (Picture book. 4-7)

Kirkus Reviews