Review by Booklist Review
In his second story (How to Party Like a Snail, 2022), Snail has decided to take a vacation while venturing nowhere. It seems he has traveled from home in the past, as evidenced in the charming, colorful illustrations filled with speech bubbles, but was met with experiences that solidified his desire to never go away again. When some of his friends plan a bus trip to the city, Snail decides to stay behind and appreciate what his home has to offer. One of Snail's friends states, "I guess nowhere is the new somewhere," and another claims, "I hear that here is the new there!" Snail and his close friend Stump resolve to share their stay-at-home vacation, and, using senses such as smell, sound, and sight, they explore the highlights of their habitat. When a few parachute seeds, which resemble dandelion fluff, drop into their area, the two friends show the seeds such a great time that the newcomers decide to take root right there. Hrab's amusing tale is just right for encouraging children to explore their own surroundings and maybe share their discoveries with someone else.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 2--Soft-spoken, mildly introverted Snail is back for another adventure in this perfectly pitched companion to the acclaimed first book--but he won't be leaving home for it. While his animal friends prefer an active vacation, Snail prefers quiet rest at home. So Snail and his friend Stump (who, being a tree stump, is not going anywhere either) decide to have a staycation. They take in everything around them with a new appreciation, from the rocks to the puddles to the sticks. Funny and ironic one-liners and charming cartoon scenes make for an entertaining tale. Short and straightforward sentences appear large and clear on the page, making the deadpan text accessible for young readers. The book is best read aloud with emphasis on the contradictions and irony found across the narrative, although most children will hear it, know it, and probably already use this kind of humor at home. VERDICT An adorable and hilarious picture book that teaches readers the magic of the very low bar.--Maria Bohan
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
Quiet-loving Snail finds a way to take a break from routine without all the fuss and bother of…going somewhere. Snail pines for the pleasures of travel but is wary of unexpected upsets ("Escargots for the--ahem--escargot," announces a waiter as Snail flashes back to eating in a fancy restaurant). So Snail bids his animal pals goodbye as they board a tour bus and instead invites his closest friend, Stump, to share more local experiences. Being rooted in place, Stump is enthusiastic--"I hear that here is the new there"--and adventures are waiting just around the corner. Even when the gentle pleasures of staying in place--taking in smells and sounds, reading a guidebook--begin to seem too familiar, look! Here comes a cloud of fluffy "parachute seed" tourists riding in on the breeze to marvel at the exotic (to them) bugs, puddles, and other sights. In fact, some are so enthralled by the peaceful locale that they stay to root themselves. Expressive cartoon artwork brings to life endearingly uncertain Snail on the ups and downs of his staycation. The creators of How To Party Like a Snail (2022) offer a similarly validating follow-up that speaks directly to all readers who, like Snail and Stump, "love being happy homebodies and epic explorers at the same time." Even when it's only an arm's length away, the world beckons for closer inspection. Fine fare for dyed-in-the-wool stay-at-homes. (Picture book. 6-8) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.