Excellent StoryOctober 20, 2008 1 out of 1 found this review helpful
This is a fabulous story about being friends with and helping each other, no matter who or what you are! It stirs emotions when the whale gets into a pickle, but all turns out well ;) Everybody pitches in to help, and isn't that the way it should be. This book essentially teaches your child important values relating to real life, and is an absolute pleasure to read.
It's also about travel, with plenty of creatures and land/sea features to hold the interest of any fidgety child.
All wrapped up with delightful and colourful illustrations which are just packed with interest, not to mention the lovely rhyme in which the story is cleverly told.
Do your child a favour, and buy this book! Read it aloud to your child, and it will be an instant favourite, I'm sure. My 4-year-old loves it.
A must for any childs collection.September 20, 2008 1 out of 1 found this review helpful
My 8 year old daughter has had this book for many years along with Room on the Broom, Monkey Puzzle, Gruffalo etc. and I have to say that all of the books are brilliant (even a cynical 41 year old like me enjoys reading them repeatedly....to her of course). They are all cleverly written (in a rhyming style) and beautifully illustrated (with some repeat themes / characters popping up in various books - look out for them). I would strongly recommend buying this or Room on the Broom as an introduction to the world of Donaldson / Scheffler.
another crowd pleaserJuly 27, 2008 0 out of 1 found this review helpful
Another crowd pleaser from the author and illustrator of The Gruffalo and Room on a Broom. My kids love these books. They don't ever get tired of hearing them, which is why this gets four stars. It doesn't get five because I don't like it at all. If you're looking for funny rhyming books with great illustrations I highly recommend the work of Lynley Dodd whose prolific output includes Hairy Maclary from Donaldson's Dairy and Slinky Malinky.
What I find most annoying about reading this book out loud is the fact that the words are squeezed to fit the fact that this is a rhyming story. The sentences just don't work, and yet the rhyme is so appealing for children that it is both memorable and immensely popular. The illustrations are good and there is lots of detail to talk about which keeps them amused and very engaged with the story.
So, great for kids, not for me.
This is a tale of a tiny snail...July 21, 2008 1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I don't normally write reviews (laziness really!) but for this book I make an exception. My 16 month old LOVES this book. I thought he'd be a bit young for the lengthy story, but not at all, he can't get enough of it!! 4 times in a 2hour period yesterday!! Maybe that's a bad thing!? Illustrations are beautiful & the story is simple yet wonderful... it's probably my favourite book too!
Lovely story with great pictures and rhymesJune 21, 2008 1 out of 1 found this review helpful
This was an instant hit with my toddler, who was entranced by the rhymes and learned the word snail within a single read. I found myself quite moved when reading it too, especially when the snail feels small in the big beautiful world.
