Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Armstrong-Ellis's (The Twelve Days of Kindergarten) humorous tale stars a school-phobic slug and his overzealous Fairy Slugmother. Young Seymour is quite anxious about starting in a new Slug School (in a rotting pumpkin), but a pink tutu-wearing Fairy Slugmother is there to help. However, she ends up delivering more chaos than assistance. When it's time for the class to plant lima beans, for instance, his Fairy Slugmother shouts, " `I'll handle it!'... She shot forward like a slick arrow, grabbed a scoop, and began tossing dirt into a cup. And into the air, onto the table, and onto the floor" (Since no one else acknowledges the Slugmother's presence, it is easy for older readers to imagine Seymour causing the mayhem, which his teacher patiently rectifies.) The comedy in the many slug references (e.g., a "Cirque du Slug" poster hangs in his room, the book Around the World in 80 Years by Jules Squirm lies on a table) will escape youngest readers, though they'll likely chuckle at the antics of the ever-energetic Slugmother. Armstrong-Ellis's illustrations deliver plenty of silly touches such as the characters' expressive tentacled eyes and a rotten banana peel used as a slide. After several bouts of the Fairy Slugmother's unhelpful attempts, the hero relieves her of her duties. Youngsters will find comfort in knowing that if Seymour can go it alone, so can they. Ages 4-8. (Aug.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 2-Seymour Slug, who has just moved into a new house near a compost pile, is anxious about starting school. His Fairy Slugmother appears the night before to reassure him that she will show him the way. Seymour is more relaxed as he slithers to class, but his guardian angel turns out to be far less helpful than promised. She draws all over his writing paper, makes a mess of his planting project, and causes him to trip over the jump rope at recess. Finally, he lets her know that he can manage without her. On his own for the rest of the day, the youngster has a great time and gets on with his new friends. While this tale has some clever humor in the text and colorful illustrations, there is little new here except for the use of slugs as protagonists. However, they look odd rather than endearing jumping rope or dressed as fairies. For more successful stories of the everyday life of garden critters, try Doreen Cronin's Diary of Worm (HarperCollins, 2003).-Rachel G. Payne, Brooklyn Public Library, NY (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
Seymour makes it through his first day at a new school (no thanks to some ""help"" from his Fairy Slugmother). By the end of the day, ""he was confident that he could handle whatever school might have in store for him tomorrow."" Though too predictable, the story has humorous touches and the illustrations include lots of amusing, slug-centered details. (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
