Snake's Big Mistake

by Sarah Kurpiel, Sarah Kurpiel (Illustrator)

Overview

Snake loves art class—until his project is a disaster, and he makes a terrible mistake that hurts a friend. How will Snake fix his mistake? Acclaimed author-artist Sarah Kurpiel’s Snake’s Big Mistake is a picture book about art, friendship, apologizing, and forgiveness, for readers of The Rabbit Listened and The Book of Mistakes.

For weeks, Snake has looked forward to sculpting the most spectacular clay pot in art class. But when his pot breaks and his teacher confuses Snake’s pot with Turtle’s, Snake takes home Turtle’s masterpiece to show his family and pretends that he made it. Now, Snake will have to craft a way to repair a broken pot and a broken friendship.

Combining a sensitive, thoughtful text and irresistible illustrations, acclaimed author-illustrator Sarah Kurpiel centers emotions that young readers can easily identify with, such as anxiety, guilt, regret, and embarrassment. Snake’s Big Mistake—a companion to Elephant’s Big Solo—is an excellent choice for social and emotional learning, as well as story-time sharing.  

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780063093218
Publisher:	HarperCollins
Publication date:	05/09/2023
Pages:	40
Sales rank:	422,370
Product dimensions:	9.10(w) x 11.00(h) x 0.40(d)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Sarah Kurpiel  is the author and illustrator of Lone Wolf, which was named an Indie Next Pick. She is a librarian and a self-taught artist, inspired by animals, nature, and everyday life. She uses a power wheelchair and considers her disability an important part of her identity. Sarah Kurpiel lives with a cat as loud and as fast as Kiwi in Downers Grove, Illinois. www.sarahkurpiel.com

Sarah Kurpiel  is the author and illustrator of Lone Wolf, which was named an Indie Next Pick. She is a librarian and a self-taught artist, inspired by animals, nature, and everyday life. She uses a power wheelchair and considers her disability an important part of her identity. Sarah Kurpiel lives with a cat as loud and as fast as Kiwi in Downers Grove, Illinois. www.sarahkurpiel.com

Editorial Reviews

Working hard in art class, Snake[‘s] . . . finished product is less than amazing . . . But Mr. Owl, the art teacher, has accidentally attributed Snake’s pot to his friend Turtle and vice versa. Sneaky Snake appropriates Turtle’s superior creation—and the accolades the work earns from Snake’s teacher, parents, and classmates. . . . Snake eventually learns a valuable lesson in friendship and honesty. . . . A relatable lesson in how to make amends after a misstep.”  — Kirkus Reviews

“A thought-provoking picture book . . . Snake's eventual deception arises from his interest in the latest project in Mr. Owl’s art class, the creation of clay pots. . . . The power of the story comes from showing how destructive lies and deceit can be.” — Booklist

From the Publisher

2023-01-25
Young Snake experiences a familiar cycle: envy, rationalization, dishonesty, and contrition.

Working hard in art class (adorned with a big “Yay for Clay” banner), Snake has grand, perhaps unrealistic, hopes for the pot he has spent weeks making. But the finished product is less than amazing: in fact, he thinks it’s “the worstclay pot in art class!” But Mr. Owl, the art teacher, has accidentally attributed Snake’s pot to his friend Turtle and vice versa. Sneaky Snake appropriates Turtle’s superior creation—and the accolades the work earns from Snake’s teacher, parents, and classmates (one of whom, a small hedgehog, uses a wheelchair). That night, sleepless, Snake slithers to the kitchen—and deliberately knocks over the beautiful pot. Immediately remorseful, he glues it back together and resolves to “make things right.” But Turtle doesn’t think that an apology is enough to repair their broken friendship. Confessing to Mr. Owl, Snake asks for a second chance for Turtle to redo her project, and the teacher, praising Snake’s courage, offers them both a do-over—and Snake eventually learns a valuable lesson in friendship and honesty. The unpretentious art, mostly without hard lines, incorporates hues of blues and yellows, appropriately the colors of Turtle’s first pot. Many readers, young and old, will recognize Snake’s plight and admire his ultimate decision. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

A relatable lesson in how to make amends after a misstep. (Picture book. 4-8)

Kirkus Reviews