Some Smug Slug

by Pamela Duncan Edwards, Henry Cole (Illustrator)

Overview

This hilarious read-aloud picture book tells a cautionary tells about a slug who must climb a slippery slope, in spite of the animals who are trying to stop him.

Smirking and self-important, the slug keeps slithering his way up a highly suspect slope. Will the slug stop? Are the sparrow, the spider, and the swallowtail simply trying to sabotage the slug's progress? Why is everyone screaming at the slug?

Pamela Duncan Edwards and Henry Cole have created an alliterative tale that will have children snorting out loud at the surprise ending for this very smug slug. Detailed illustrations include a hidden “S” on every page.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780064435024
Publisher:	HarperCollins
Publication date:	05/01/1998
Edition description:	Reprint
Pages:	32
Sales rank:	160,179
Product dimensions:	10.00(w) x 8.75(h) x 0.07(d)
Lexile:	620L (what's this?)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Pamela Duncan Edwards is the author of numerous popular picture books, including Livingstone Mouse; Roar! A Noisy Counting Book; Some Smug Slug; The Worrywarts; Clara Caterpillar; Wake-Up Kisses; Rosie's Roses; The Leprechaun's Gold; and Gigi and Lulu's Gigantic Fight, all illustrated by Henry Cole; as well as Dear Tooth Fairy, illustrated by Marie-Louise Fitzpatrick; McGillycuddy Could!, illustrated by Sue Porter; and The Neat Line, illustrated by Diana Cain Bluthenthal. She lives in Virginia.

Henry Cole was a celebrated science teacher for many years before turning his talents to children’s books. He has worked on nearly one hundred and fifty books for children, including Unspoken, Big Bug, A Nest for Celeste, Jack’s Garden, and On Meadowview Street. Henry loves being outside, where he can sketch and write. His favorite sound is the first robin song of the spring. You can visit him online at www.henrycole.net.

Editorial Reviews

A self-satisfied slug ignores its friends' alliterative warnings as it proudly climbs a slope that turns out to be the back of a hungry toad: "Such a shock, such a shame. Such a succulent slug!" Ages 4-9. (May)

Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly

K-Gr 2A slug senses a slope and saunters on up, against the advice of a sparrow, a spider, and a skink, among others, and meets with a sudden, spontaneous demise. Such is the life of a slug told with a multitude of common and not so common "S" words (shantung). The bold-faced text is short but not simple. "Seldom swerving or straggling or swaying or skewing, the smug slug shambled on." Despite this boggle of words, youngsters will likely continue reading, having been caught up in this snaillike mollusk's serendipitous fate. Realistically detailed, earth-toned illustrations focus attention on each scene. Varied animals' perspectives reign throughout while the bumpy surface that the slug climbs remains a mystery until the end. In addition to the animals named in the text, other "S" creatures are shown. Plus, to ensure close scrutiny and multiple readings, an "S" shape has been hidden in each picture. This slug is so appealing and full of personality that it will certainly garner sympathy. The cover alone, where the slug's expression is indeed smug, is enough to get readers to select this book.Martha Topol, Traverse Area District Library, Traverse City, MI

School Library Journal

This duo collaborated on the alliterative Four Famished Foxes and Fosdyke (1995, not reviewed); here, a supercilious little slug struggles up a bumpy slope blocking the path through its woodland domain. Ignoring the warnings of other forest denizens (all creatures with names beginning with the letter s—sparrow, spider, swallowtail, skink, stinkbug, and squirrel), it reaches the summit, only to be devoured by the toad it has unwittingly climbed.

This bit of whimsy is made memorable by the crescendo of suspense built by the relentlessly alliterative text, the ground- level illustrations of flora and fauna (highly realistic except for the self-satisfied visage of the snail and the toad licking its lips), and the presence of the other animals and S-shapes to search for in the pictures. It's fun for readers who aren't ready for Graeme Base's Animalia (1987) and great reinforcement of sound- letter correspondence for initial s and sh (both are used; soft c is not). Teachers will hope that a "big book" version is in the works for the classroom.

Kirkus Reviews