Product Description

"Stop!"
screamed a sparrow.

Customer Reviews (8)

Some Smug Slug
Fabulous book to teach alliteration.The students loved it!The illustrations make the students want to pick this book up again and again.Well worth buying.

Great alliteration, but....
First, let me state that contrary to what you may have read elsewhere, this book has a very happy ending. What ending could be happier than the cycle of life, a frog getting a good meal? Such a succulent slug! Slugs? Eat up your garden. Frogs? Eat up your slugs. I can tell you which critter *I* prefer!

The alliteration is great, and a wonderful way to introduce your kid TO alliteration. And the artwork is well down. However, because every sentence had to be packed with as many s- words as possible, some of the statements are a bit... non sequitur-ish. I don't think, for example, that "silly" is the best word to describe the slug's ascent, although one of the other animals seems to think so.

Still, all told, it's a very good book with a funny twist ending.

Great
This product was great! It arrived in a timely manner and was in the condition the seller described! I would definitely buy from this seller again!

Fun book
This was a fun book I bought for my niece and nephews.Pictures are cute and the story was silly with a "shocking" end.Good book!

My students loved it!
I teach second grade, and one of our standards is to introduce our students to different forms of figurative language. My students loved all the alliterations andillustrations found in Some Smug Slug. They also enjoyed me reading itto them, and they had fun writing their own alliterations. I would recommend this book to any teacher who is looking for a good anchor book to introduce alliterations to her students. ... Read more

Product Description
Bugs, Slugs and Other ThugsThey slip through the woods under cover of darkness. They drop from the sky shamelessly in broad daylight. They tunnel furiously through the earth. Their destination: your garden. Year after year, your garden is the target of insects and gophers and birds and slugs seeking a free meal. While you may be willing to share part of the crop, damage sometimes gets out of hand; then it's time to take action.Bugs, Slugs and Other Thugs is for gardeners who've lost more than their fair share of the garden to bad-mannered insect and wildlife pests. It's a practical guide to pest controls that are safe for both the user and the environment.Author Rhonda Hart equips you with information that will help you identify the intruders and then offers a host of practical, environmentally sound solutions to your pest problems. Remedies range from the latest scientific advances to tried-and-true folk remedies that really work:*Interplanting vine crops with corn will keep raccoons away; they dislike the unsure footing.*Clippings of cat or dog hair might be enough to ward off rodents and other pests.*A mulch of eggshells, gravel, or oak leaves sends slugs packing.Consult Bugs, Slugs and Othe Thugs before surrendering antoher season's garden to insect and wildlife pests. A healthy, bountiful harvest can be yours this season. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

damaged
book is what I wanted, but I ordered it as a gift and it was damaged in shipping.It was shipped in paper which was ripped and the cover was half ripped off.So I was unable to give it as a gift.

Bugs, slugs, and other thugs. By Rhonda Massingham Hart
I picked this book up some time ago, and I have to say it has saved me in my garden endeavors on more than one occasion. Simply, this book covers every garden pest imaginable. I have never seen a book dedicate almost five pages on how to defend your garden against gophers. She takes an organic approach to her pest control; so if your looking for a book full of poisons available this is the wrong book for you. However, I have never seen another pest control book that is primarily dedicated to all the animal and insect pests you could encounter in your garden. One of the best books I've encountered. It is easy to read, insightful, and just plain full of knowledge. This is a top notch resource. I'm surprised Amazon doesn't have it in stock. Could it be out of print. Pick it up used, you won't regret it. ... Read more

Product Description
Suggests many unpleasant things that can be done with and to slugs and warns that even the lowly slug may have its revenge. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (20)

Slugalicious!
Perhaps my favorite book ever!

Unlikely to be published in this politically correct era, but a wonderful parody.

Best enjoyed with a cup of slug (prune) juice.

Order a second copy for your local PETA chapter!

Fantastic
I had this book a a gift years ago. Loaned it to a friend who kept it. Wanted to add to my library. Very enjoyable. And funny.
Thank You
alan L Young

Gross & Hilarious!
This is my favorite of all my kids' books.My mother bought it for my children about 20 years ago (OMG! Has it really been that long?).After one reading, we were hooked.I used to read it out loud to their kindergarten class and it was a huge hit.There are those who don't care for it, but I have to believe they must be dull, unimaginative human beings who perhaps have never laughed hard enough to blow milk out their nose.More's the pity for them.This was my sons' favorite book when they were little and now that they've graduated from a couple of rather prestigious universities and turned into scientists, I like to think that this little book might've sparked something in their brains to think outside that famous box.I still read it when I need a smile.

Awesome!
This was my favorite book as a kid. I'm getting it for mine now, too. It's funny and appeals to most children ages 5-10 or so, and teaches a lesson: Being unkind to animals, even so called "lowly" ones like slugs, is mean and eventually if you're a horrible person you'll get beaten up by mutant slugs while you sleep. Truth! Well.. At least I grew up knowing not to harm animals.

Slugs Are Very Portable
I had this book as a child, and I can still gleefully quote some of the slug-themed rhymes in this unique children's book. While some people may be turned off by the grossness of the subject matter ("slugs are very portable, just stick them in your nose"), it is refreshing to read a book that appeals to kid's own senses of humor. My father was a biologist, and for my brother and I, the animal world was very clearly not just filled with glamorous mammals, but also the very real and marvelous grossness of insects and animals who behaved in outrageous -and hilarious- ways. This book is not for the faint of heart, but is a delight for those who find humor in the messy aspects of animal and human life. ... Read more

Product Description

Product Description

Customer Reviews (7)

Sluglicious!
My boys and I love this book.I'm going to purchase the hardcover edition for them and my nephews/niece.

Colorful engaging art, fun visual perspectives, authentic northwest illustrations and main character is what gives this book the most charm.The story is light, playful and adventurous.

This is one we have read and checked out from the library many times.Luckily they do not clammer for it, rather nicely they welcome its addition to the library pile.

I think an appropriate age range is one to four or to five, depending on the child. This is one of many books that I'll recall their childhood with.

Thank you Mary and Lorie!

Perfect Preschooler Book for a Rainy Northwest Day
After finding a slug in the wet grass of our backyard, naming it, and claiming it as her latest pet, my four-year-old scampered to her bookshelf to pull out "Rainy Day Slug."While some of the rhyming is a bit forced, the book's illustrations are bright and clever, with all sorts of Northwest motifs, and the simple action is perfect for piquing the interest and curiosity of youngsters.

My daughter wanted to know more about the slime trail slugs create, what they eat, where they live, and if they really want to come indoors.For her, the simplicity of the book was an ideal springboard for more learning about this critter.

My son LOVED this book!!!
I wanted to thank the author and illustrator for such a wonderful book!My son is 2 1/2 and we are avid readers with him.We visit the library often, which is where we found "Rainy Day Slug".I almost did not check it out as my son is usually more interested in trains and trucks than nature and animals, but the illustrations were so colorful, I just grabbed it on a whim.Let me tell you, we have read this book to him two to three times a day for the last two weeks.He now has it memorized and often repeats portions of it while playing with his toys!So, so cute and wonderful!I just ordered it for him for Christmas so that we can quit renewing the library's edition over and over and over and....

Great illustrations and a delight to very young children
The kids both seem to enjoy the silly (albeit forced, as another reviewer noted) choice of words.The book is repetitive enough that it's especially appealing to my one year old, while the pictures are detailed to capture my three year old's interest.

Great illustrations, slight story
The illustrations really make this book come to life!

Unfortunately, I can't say the same for the text.It's an attempt at rhyming onomatopoeia as the slug moves through different parts of his garden environment, and it quickly grows old.Also, the word choices are forced and were clearly invented to fit each rhyme, even if they didn't make sense."Scuddle, scuddle, scuddle in a deep rain puddle" is fine, but "Scrape... down the long, pink drape" and "Scrug... over the soft, blue rug" seem a little desperate, and "Sable... under a small, oak table" is downright nonsensical.

There's no real story here, either.The slug goes crawling around in the yard, makes his way into the house, and crawls around in there too, until he startles a sleeping child and flees back outdoors.

There are much better rainy day books, and much better garden books, too.Try "Red Rubber Boot Day" by Mary Lyn Ray for rainy days, and "Five Green and Speckled Frogs" (Kelly), "Gotta Go! Gotta Go!" (Swope) or "Miss Spider's Tea Party" (Kirk) for better choices on the critters that live in the garden. ... Read more

Product Description

What has one foot, four tentacles, and more teeth than a shark? Discover the truly amazing world of slugs and their snail relatives. Learn about the inner working of the slug, how to identify native and non-native species, and ways to observe mating and other sluggish behavior. Also find out how to rid your garden of them in a safe, non-toxic manner.Amazon.com Review
It's hard to imagine life without a good field guide to slugs,but Gordon, thank god, wrote a doozy of one. In a mere 48 pages,Gordon covers slug anatomy, the slug family tree, the eating habits ofslugs, slugs in your garden, slugs in the wild and slugs athome. Lucid and interesting, this is the slug guide to beat allothers. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Garden Foe
Any gardener with slugs within their gareden will
treasure this book. It's a mini 101 course that will
enlighten you about their behaviors and how to erradicate
them.An added bonus is a beautifully "illustrated
cover", worthy to sit on any coffee table.

Not so great for anything other than garden pests
This is a neat little package that gives a wealth of info about slugs. It was a little less technical than I had hoped. If you're looking to answer specific biology questions or have the hopes of a key, this is not the answer.

Field Guide to the Slug is good press!
What on earth am I doing reviewing a book about slugs? Because I live in Slugland & I want to know more about those slithery slimers who mug my lettuces & ravish my sprouts. This little book is a gem, a must foranyone living among gastropods. This book inspired me to write a poem aboutthese critters who have been around far longer than we! Still don't like'em, I'll tolerate them because David George Gordon has written a funny,informative, charming book about a subject most would rather stomp on! Sothere!

A book about slugs? Great!!
I found this book to be a concise, thorough discussion of the subject of garden slugs.Every gardener has had to deal with them in some form or another and this little book is the perfect addition to your gardeninglibrary on the subject.Excellent artwork and drawings, also.

Great short non-fiction on slugs
This is a great short non-fiction work on slugs, handy for identifying those little slimers.Just the right amount of detail for the mildly curious.Readable in about an hour, it includes brief chapters on "The Slug Family Tree," "The Slug in Brief," "Anatomy of a Slug," "Familiar Slugs of the Northwest," "Seven Wonders of Slugdom," "Controlling Slugs," "Observing Slugs in the Wild," and "at Home", "Plants Slugs Avoid Eating" and "Love to Eat", and a short bibliography ... Read more

Product Description
THIS EDITION IS INTENDED FOR USE IN SCHOOLS AND LIBRARIES ONLY. This book expands your snail and slug savvy with splendid photos and a wealth of interesting facts. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Slugs and Snails, Minibeasts Series
Very nice book.My daughter loves it.A fun and educational book to read with kids.Nice illustrations too.

Science rocks
I have taught preschool for over 15 years - the books in this series are wonderful. Great illustrations with easy to understand text. The kids love them and will sit and "read" them to each other over and over again. Anything that promotes a love of science and knowledge is tops in my book. ... Read more

Product Description
Birds that walk underwater.Slugs that mate while suspended in midair.Frogs who star on Hollywood soundtracks.The Pacific Northwest abounds in natural wonders, and here are field guides as interesting as the world they describe.Filled with both amazing and amusing true-life tales about Northwest plants and animals, this new series of uncommon field guides will appeal to the casual observer and the avid naturalist alike.Each of these illustrated books describes more than sixty plants, animals, and natural phenomena of a particular Northwest habitat.Author Patricia Lichen combines standard field guide information about habitat, appearance, and range with delightful and engaging descriptions of the little-known facts, surprising details, and amusing-- even bizarre-- tidbits rarely found in ordinary field guides.Discover how amazing the Northwest natural world really is with these uncommon field guides. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (8)

Uncommonly delightful
Like all 3 of Lichen's "Uncommon Field Guide" series, "Passionate Slugs..." is uncommonly delightful to poke into.One can read it chapter-by-chapter or just open the book anywhere and delve in. Even if it is an animal or plant you are familiar with, there is a good likelihood that you will discover something new about it in her description.Reading her books is like the joy of discovering an animal or plant and discussing it with a knowledgeable friend.My only complaint is that there is not one of Feltner's detailed illustrations with every single chapter.

delightful book!
What a charming guide to backyard creatures of the northwest.The enjoyment I got from reading this book was like a conversation with a witty friend who just happens to know all about the critters and plants in my yard!I found it to be informative, humorous, and very down to earth.I would have appreciated a few more illustrations, but on the whole, I highly recommend this book to anyone wanting to know more about the creatures and habitat in his/her northwest backyard.

Beyond recognition:the secret life of your back yard
Mosquitos, grey squirrels, juncos -- most of us take these ordinary neighbors for granted and find our interest is piqued by more esoteric wildlife.The charm of this book is that it takes the creatures that we recognize already and can expect to see in our own yards, in parks, or hovering above a busy interstate and reveals the unique habits and foibles of each.Other essays shed light on the natural (and unnatural) history of common northwest plants including scotch broom, lawns, and the dreaded blackberry, and even go on to bring our attention to the skies.Each essay can be read independently, or the whole can be devoured at one sitting. By focussing on the mundane, Patricia Lichen and her talented illustrator Linda Feitner increase our appreciation of the richness of our environment.

Everything I Didn't Know About the Critters In Our Yard
I enjoyed "Passionate Slugs & Hollywood Frogs" because the writing style made it fun to learn about the skunks, juncos, mice, etc., who live in and around our yard.The information was easy to understand and entertaining.It is the kind of book that I can read myself and share with my grandchildren.I really enjoyed it.

Passionate Slugs and Hollywood Frogs
Pat Lichen weaves fascinating scientific information with humor, personal experience, and heartfelt tenderness for the natural world. Linda Feltner's drawings gently accentuate the essays. I'd recommend these books as enjoyable reading and good reference for any household in the Pacific Northwest. ... Read more

Product Description
Follow the hilarious story of one funky mollusk with The Story of Slug. Interesting and funny, this colorfully illustrated story is perfect for reading aloud. Its rhyming storyline, easy-to-follow narrative, and bright pictures are affected by a modern sensibility that make it amusing not only for children, but for adults as well. Slug is a new collectible character--who presents a time-honored moral. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Best Rhyming Books since Dr. Suess
I love the Bang on the Door animal series.They are intelligent and clever.The rhymes are anything but contrived.Both my kids love all the books.I only wish this company could provide more of the same.Their newer stuff is not up to par.

We like slug
This is a very cute story about a slug who eats everything that's green. It's the kind of children's book that grown-ups like too. It's clever, and funny. My daughter and I both enjoy it. ... Read more

Product Description
A wonderfully funny new back-to-school title by Carey Armstrong-Ellis, illustrator of 12 Days of Kindergarten.

Seymour's family has recently moved to a new home near the compost pile and he is now facing his first day of Slug School. He's so nervous-he worries about being picked on and not being good at dodgeball. That night in bed he is surprised by a POOF! It's his Fairy Slugmother who appears to tell him she will be near tomorrow at school to help him with any trouble he might have. But the next day, instead of helping him, his Fairy Slugmother seems to only make matters worse by spilling dirt when they plant seeds for their science project and drawing pictures when she should be helping Seymour spell his name. By the time Seymour busies himself correcting his Fairy Slugmother, he realizes he has everything under control and has nothing to fear at school (well, except maybe dodgeball!).

With enchanting illustrations, Armstrong-Ellis uses humor and sensitivity to cheer kids on as they prepare to go back-to-school. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Seymour is smart!
Entertaining and insightful!It validates the apprenhension a child often feels when starting school then shows the child that things will be ok after all!Adults will be able to relate as well - as the book also addresses the apprehension parents often have about "letting go," and shows parents that things will be ok after all!Well written and well illustrated ... a "read over and over again" book for my grand-daughter!

What???
Silly (and not in a good way!)

I read this to my daughter to start preparing her for to begin school and found the storyline silly and nonsensical.The story seemed too contrived and over-done.The pictures were nice, but that is about it.

Even my daughter was bored, and she likes silly books...

Good reading skills will lend to this story of a slug who still believes in the Fairy Slugmother
Carey Armstrong-Ellis' Seymour Slug Starts School packs in the author's zany drawings which help kids with visual subplots. Good reading skills will lend to this story of a slug who still believes in the Fairy Slugmother and who learns to feel good about starting school. But Slugmother is proving more of a problem than school itself. ... Read more

Product Description

Even slugs send valentines

Marylou loves everything about Herbie-how his slime trail glistens in the dark, how he can stretch himself thin to squeeze inside the cellar window, and how he always finds the juiciest tomatoes. But Marylou is a shy slug. How can she get Herbie to notice her? Find out how Marylou woos her beloved in this "must-have" love-story that's perfect for Valentine's Day.

... Read more

Customer Reviews (9)

I'll remember this one
What can you say?I found one of my kids reading this book to his little brother first thing in the morning today -- it is really cute.They were laughing their socks off.The little love poems in the story, the slug-slime-writing, the way the slugs differentiate themselves from one another -- "I think she's the brownish one."...but they all looked a little brown.The illustrations are hilarious -- the eyestalks and slug-accessories crack me up.This book is a winner.

Too Adorable!
This book is just too adorable - both the story and the illustrations. My 5 year old daughter loves this book and so do I. It ends a bit abruptly, but other than that it's perfect.

Fun!
Susan Pearson, Slugs in Love (Marshall Cavendish, 2006)

Cute little tale of a slug who becomes infatuated with another slug, and lets him know with poems scribbled around the barnyard. Good intro to rhythm and rhyme for the kiddies, with an amusing mistaken-identity subplot tossed in for good measure. You'll like this one as much as your kids will. *** ½

A great read!
This is a wonderful story. I am a librarian and I read this story to every grade level from K-fifth grades and my students adore it. It is such a tender love story and the illustrations are delightful. The text makes all of us laugh, and the frustrations of the slugs unable to find one another has all of us on the edge of our seats hoping for a happy finale. I love this book!

good for adults too.
I bought this to give to my wife for Valentines. It is hilareous and cute. Has humor that all ages can relate too. ... Read more

Product Description
Have you ever peeked under a rock? A whole community of creatures lives there! One of the world’s most fascinating habitats is right at your feet. No child will be able to resist looking under a rock after reading Fredericks’s rhythmic, engaging story, and seeing DiRubbio’s vivid close-up illustrations. Field Notes and Fantastic Facts will inspire endless exploration. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Encouraging Exploration
Reviewed by Cayden Aures (age 6) and Mom for Reader Views (10/10)

Cayden's comments:

"This book is kind of like the other one that we read, `On One Flower.'In that book they all lived on a flower but in this book all of the things live under a rock!In the beginning of this book there is a letter written by a spider.There is a big rock in the grass and a boy lifts it up and sees what is under it.He found worms, a spider, beetles, and some other bugs too.There were a lot of things that lived underneath that rock.I liked the part in the back of the book where it tells more things about the bugs in the book.It said that some slugs have more than 20,000 teeth!That is a lot of teeth!I want to go outside and peek under some rocks to see if I can find some of these things."

Parent's comments:

Like, "On One Flower," "Under One Rock: Bugs, Slugs and other Ughs" is a great educational book for a young child.My son loved seeing what different types of creatures lived underneath the rock and learning more about them.He is definitely excited to do some exploring of his own and I am sure there will be no rock left unturned in our yard!

Stories for Children Magazine 5 Star Review
REVIEWED BY: Wayne S. Walker, reviewer with Stories for Children Magazine



Did your mother ever tell you, when you came into the house all dirty, that you looked as if you had crawled out from under a rock? What does live under a rock anyway? The fact is that underneath a rock in your backyard there is a habitat for all kinds of interesting creatures, such as earthworms, ants, spiders, beetles, crickets, millipedes, and slugs, all of which play a very important part in nature's cycle of life. Be honest--haven't you ever peeked under a rock to see what was there? Author Anthony D. Fredericks is a former classroom teacher and a nature explorer from way back who has written over twenty children's books, including several in a series on animal communities for Dawn Publications.



The rhythmic text, reminiscent of "There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly" and "This Is the House that Jack Built," has just enough repetition to make the story fun for children to read. In addition to the text, Jennifer DiRubbio's engaging illustrations from a close-up perspective will send kids outdoors to start looking under rocks and exploring nature. In addition, the back of the book contains two pages of "Field Notes" with further information and a fantastic fact about each of the species mentioned in the story. There is also page of "How to Learn More" with resources for digging deeper into ecology. Under One Rock has won several awards, including the Izaac Walton League Book of the Year. Any child who enjoys studying nature will really like this book.

Interesting but needs more
I did enjoy this book but feel that it was a bit low for my 1st graders.My 3 year old loved it.It's worth it if you just want to intro. earth/bugs/etc. and then carry on with other books.

A Teacher's Perspective
Under One Rock is a cumulative informational book that details a small child's findings when he lifts a rock.

This is an interesting book with a great deal of information included on the insects and worms found in nature. The cumulative nature of the text draws children into the story and allows predictability for early readers. The author's notes, glossary, and publisher information in the back of the book provides a fantastic classroom or parent resource.

As a nature lover and a mother who believes children today are suffering from nature deficit disorder, I am so thankful to have added this book to my library. It is a wonderful example of the science that occurs around us at any given moment. If we just slow down for a moment, we may witness some of the wonders of the natural world.

As a classroom extension, consider placing a large rock on the playground then observing the changes under the rock for several months. The grass will die, insects may inhabit the sheltered space, earthworms may be observed, etc. In addition, a nature walk may reveal many other small ecosystems in unexpected locations. If you are looking for a naturalist title or a book to inspire the exploration of nature, this is a good start!

Mom
A cute book about what is under the rock.I was hoping to find more things under this rock.It has a lot of words that don't keep my toddler interested.He loves bugs and looking under rocks himself.Nice illustrations. ... Read more

Product Description
Alex and Slug are best friends.They do everything together--morning, noon, and night.

But does being best friends mean you have to be together every second?

Slug seems to think so!Alex tries to get some alone time--at the dentist, at the library, even playing sick--but Slug won't give him a moment to spare.Before long, Alex explodes--and Slug's feelings are bruised.Friendship isn't always easy!

It's time for Alex and Slug to figure out the meaning of "sorry"--and to learn that some folks are friends forever. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

A definite hit in my classroom.
Child Pleasing Read ~~~ Recommended ~~~ 5 stars

The Review The tale is offered in the first person wherein the reader finds the little boy talking about his friends. 'It used to be Slug, Kevin and me - the unstoppable three.' Before long Kevin moves leaving only Slug and the little boy telling the story. 'And Slug was everywhere I was. Morning, noon and night, on the bus, in art class, at the library. You name it, if I was there, there was Slug as well.' Of course, the inevitable happened. When the narrator could not take anymore total togetherness; he handled the situation in predictable, child like fashion.

'And, I found it was beginning to be too much. Finally it happened, I told my mother exactly how I felt. What I didn't know was that Slug was there in the doorway.' The narrator really wasn't trying to make Slug feel bad, it was just that the little boy needed a some time to himself. And he got time to himself all right. Slug wasn't around much anymore.

'When I did see him Slug hardly spoke, and I didn't like that any more than I did when he was there all the time.'

I suppose we have each had a friend who is out of the ordinary. We have had a friend who does now and then, get on our nerves. Or, maybe it is we who is the one who just never knows when to stop, when to go home, or when to do something with another friend. Wanting to spend too much time together is a problem that each of us will likely face sooner or later.

Adults, generally have learned how to deal with clinging friends in such a way that will help us retain the friendship and allow us some time for ourselves, or other friends. On the other hand, kids often do not know how to handle such a situation, need to learn how to work out this important issue, and if not careful lose a friend they would like to keep simply because the best friend forever gets to be too much.

Writer Jarrett Krosoczka provides children an excellent tool in his work, My Buddy, Slug. Without becoming preachy, or insistent, Krosoczka tells of one child's situation with a friend who just never knew when to hang back for a while.

When first I held up the book; my resident critics gave it an incredulous, horrified oblique glance and voiced unconditional consternation A SLUG! ' YOU'RE GOING TO READ A BOOK ABOUT A SLUG', 'A SLUG IS, YOU KNOW, ONE OF THOSE, SLIMY, YOU KNOW, THINGS's, was voiced gracefully in primordial screech.

I turned to the first page and they, fourth grade, Wynona OK school, settled back to listen with as much open mind as they could gather together. The class does/did face their job as critics gravely. It did not take long before; the class was leaning forward, gazing raptly at the book and were noticeably drawn into the tale.

As I closed the book; the kids agreed little kids will like it, but they won't really 'get' it. Each of my 4th grade students thought the book was a good choice for 'mature' fourth graders as well as the little kids in the target audience, ''because it helps us understand more about why our friends get tired of us when we are afraid to give them some space. And the little kids need to learn this too.'

I got my chance to put to the test whether or not the little kids might get it or not. My first grade this year did not view the slug with the same dismay as had their older counterparts, they just thought he was cute. And, I'm please to say, that while they do not have the vocabulary to completely express what they are feeling or thinking, they also understood that a friend who is too much there gets to be too much. The first graders as well were able to verbalize the need for themselves to explain to friends, or, to be the friend who does, now and then, allow their friends time with others and time for themselves.

My Buddy, Slug is a volume certain to please the read to crowd ages 3 -7. The edition is well-built, packed with brightly colored illustrations and child pleasing setting. The work is a read with help for the strong reading 7s and 8s, and is a read alone, or an I'll read to you for the 9 - 10 year old set

Once I had begun to read the narrative; the 4th graders lost all reservations about slug being a, gasp, slug. The first graders never had any such problems. As I finished reading; the kids, 4th and 1st alike, agreed a slug was perfect as a friend.

Being mature fourth graders my class particularly enjoyed all writer Krosoczka's long winded slug talk sprinkled through the book. My first graders this year enjoy it as much.

Enjoyed the read, happy to recommend for the personal reading list, and the school and home library shelf. My Buddy, Slug is a definite hit in my classroom.

Molly Martin
Reviewer

My Buddy, Slug
Jarrett J. Krosoczka's latest title, "My Buddy, Slug," tackles a topic not often seen in picture books: What do you do when you see your best friend just a little too often?

Alex has encountered just this problem: "It used to be Slug, Kevin, and me--the unstoppable three. Until Kevin moved away. Now it's just Slug and me...all the time."

Alex sees Slug so often, that's he's dying for a little alone time. Slug is around every corner. He shows up at the dentist, at the mall, even for dinner.

On one such occasion, Alex's mom invites Slug for a sleepover. Slug talks and talks. He tells jokes, stories, asks philosophical questions. And, Alex is beyond annoyed.

The next morning Alex "had words" with his mother. He yells, "I'm sick of him!" You can guess who overhears this heated conversation and whose feelings are really, really hurt.

I have absolutely no idea why Alex's best friend is a giant, orange slug, but Slug is awfully cute and colorful. Krosoczka's illustrations are as expressive as ever and the story he tells is, at the same time, unique and one every young school child will recognize. "My Buddy, Slug" is highly recommended for children ages 4-9.

Why, there are Slugs that know karate / There are Slugs as big as you
We've all had that friend who's very dear to us but once in a while gets on our nerves.It could be the co-worker who always talks about her gout or the college roommate that liked to jabber non-stop through movies.It's a problem that hits people of every age, race, gender, or persuasion.For adults, our ability to deal with such friends is a talent we've cultivated over the years.Kids, on the other hand, need to learn how to deal.For them, Jarrett Krosoczka has given them, "My Buddy, Slug".Well told without ever descending into preachiness, Krosoczka tells one boy's tale of the friend who just never knew when to quit.

At first there were three friends: Kevin, Alex, and Slug.Then Kevin moved away and it was just Slug and Alex left.And that's fine, cause they are friends, after all.Such good friends, in fact, that they do everything together.School.Shopping.Homework.But when Alex wants some alone time, Slug just doesn't know how to take a hint.When he ends up at Alex's house eating dinner with the fam and staying the night, that's the last straw.Alex vents his frustration about his friend loudly enough that poor Slug gets his feelings hurt.Now Alex has to do the right thing if he ever wants to get back the only best friend he's got.

A co-worker of mine read through this book and commented that he liked the matter-of-fact way in which this book dealt with the fact that Slug was a slug.It's funny, but this never even occurred to me.Like many of the kids who will come to read it, I accepted from page 1 that Alex's best friend was an approximately 5'6" neon orange invertebrate.I mean, the book certainly could have been written with Slug a kid, and many an author would have gone that route.It takes a particularly nice and twisted brain, however, to think up something, or someONE, as outrageous and friendly as Slug.A tip of the hat to the way Mr. Krosoczka's brain works.I do wonder what number of parents will pick up this book expecting it to be about a boy who creates a gigantic slug and the troubles that follow.For them, Krosoczka's tale can only come as a wonderful surprise.

And I liked that the book addressed why it was that Slug follows Kevin around as closely as he does.When the two friends make up, Slug launches into his longest loudest speechifying yet.In it, he mentions that he probably wasn't giving Alex any alone time because he was afraid he'd lose him just as he already lost Kevin.A picture book that can justify the twists in its narrative.Whatta concept!Now as a librarian I did have to test the readaloud potential of the book.Some books are one-on-one books and some will hold a large crowd of first graders enrapt."My Buddy, Slug", seems to fall right down the center.On the one hand the bright pictures and clear cut situations make it ideal readaloud material.On the other hand, Krosoczka's worked in so many witty little asides and snips of dialogue (particularly in that final Slug speech) that it may not work with a group.I think it hangs entirely on your presentation technique.If you think you'll be able to get the kids interested when you're reading Slug's opinion on the differences between lemons and limes, all power to you.

Mr. Krosoczka does have one cross to bear that may follow him for the first few years of his publishing.His style of drawing, oddly enough, looks mighty similar to that of Joe Cepeda.I mean, there are obvious differences.Mr. Cepeda has many charms, but I've yet to see him give voice to safety cone-colored escargot (or slugs for that matter).There's just something about the thick acrylics Krosoczka's working with here that bring to mind Cepeda's, "Captain Bob Sets Sail" or "What a Truly Cool World".The book actually does some lovely things with light (as when Alex and Slug are watching a movie at night) and when it comes to sluggy shadows, I can't think of anyone I'd rather have illustrate them.Plus there's a great Slug-related medley of images as he keeps Alex up at night with his incessant chatter.Sharp eyed kids will also notice that on Alex's refrigerator are the photos of himself and his friends that appear on the first two pages of the book.And is it just me or does Alex's sister have a crush on Slug?

I'm sure that if "My Buddy, Slug" enjoys any of the success of Mr. Krosoczka's previous efforts, expect him to be getting his own show on Noggin soon.For further slug related fare (if that's what you're into) you might want to change gears and check out the fearful "Slugs" by David Greenburg or "Some Smug Slug" by Pamela Duncan Edwards, which is the best alliterative slug-related tale on the market today.For a bit of sweetness with your sluggary, however, this book stands alone.Fun and with an interior logic that kids are bound to get a kick out of. ... Read more

Product Description
One hot summer, a new breed of slugs begins to multiply with terrifying consequences for the townsfolk of Merton. The author also wrote "Assassin", "Death Day" and "Spawn". ... Read more

Customer Reviews (9)

Watch where you step!
"Slugs" is one creepy, gross, disgusting, and completely fun horrific read.Seriously, "Slugs" should be required reading for all horror fans!At just over 200 pages, you can read it in one day!It should have been longer, as the conclusion seems a bit rushed and perfunctory. Complaint aside, it's the build-up and gruesome descriptions of slugs eating through folks that make this special. I was creeped out and fascinated at the same time as I compulsively turned page after page.Hutson really has his way with the reader's creep bone.Not that I've seen many in real life, but I mean, how scary is a slug really?Kudos to you Mr. Hutson: 4 stars easy.

BEST CREATURE NOVEL EVER!!!!!
SLUGS may not seem as scary as it looks, but the cover should give you an idea of what its about. Well, naturally, the plot isn't hard to figure out, the plot is that evil man-eating slugs who have apparently gotten tired of being considered garden pests and vegeterians and have decided to move up the food chain. In all of this our main character emerges, none other than that of the health inspector. Personally, there wasn't really any point of him being in the book, since he does nothing but try to save people. This book has awesome descriptions of people meeting their ends to the slimy little critters, and are very gory. The opening chapter is only a sign of bigger things to come. And I'm not joking. After all, what kind of author would exaggerate slug's body lengths for horror, particularly the one that is a foot long! This book also has lots of sex, and will be enjoyed by those with strong stomachs. My only complaint, HOW COME THEY DIDN'T JUST USE SALT! Salt is the ultimate enemy to slugs, and if you don't believe me, see it for yourself.
Can't wait to read this book's sequel, BREEDING GROUND. Favorite scene: The restaurant patron whose eyeball blows out, revealing a swarm of baby slugs!

Pass the salt please...
Absolutely the best creature feature book I've read.
The thought of long, black blood sucking and flesh chewing slugs. Icky.
I remember the scene where the old fella is sat upon the throne, (toilet in england speak), and one slids right up his bottom!
Egh!
There is also the scene where the lovers are just finishing their afternoon frolics to find the floor is covered with them, as they try and get out they become engulfed.
The film itself wasnt a bad adaptation for its time but the book presented the most vivid imagery.
Fans of 'Rats' by James Herbert will love this one.

Monsters of the garden variety.
The small town of Merton is overrun with carnivorous slugs in yet another entry in the mutated pest genre created by James Herbert's classic novel The Rats.Shaun Hutson heaps on the grue and keeps the pace lightning fast, so the strong stomached reader can expect to finish the book in less that a day or two.Not high literature, but passable entertainment with quite a nasty edge.

Killer slugs?You've got to be taking the proverbial.
Apparently Shaun Hutson's writing career started when, after reading a horror paperback called 'Night of the Crabs'(5 stars), thought he could do better.

'Slugs' tries so hard to be gory and shocking, but the thought ofkiller slugs biting and attacking people is just too comical to be takenseriously.Alright, so slugs can be considered disgusting, but they'rehardly terrifying.The book does manage to be fairly entertaining,however, and should provide for lovers of gore and repulsiveness.Loversof creepy and suspenceful mutated-animal horror stories, on the other hand,would be better off finding a copy of 'Night of the Crabs'. ... Read more

Product Description

"A perfect stocking filler for any gardener . . . funny and entertaining as well as very useful."—Garden News

The Little Book of Slugs arose out of the Centre for Alternative Technology’s Bug-the-Slug campaign. It collects over seventy different organic solutions to the slug problem, distilled from over three hundred professional and leisure gardeners. As well as organic methods to combat the slug, it includes details of slug lifestyles, habits and eating preferences, and information on reported problems associated with chemical controls.

Allan Shepherd works at the Centre for Alternative Technology in Wales, is the author of The Sustainable Careers Handbook and a contributor to the Garden, the Express and Geographical and Country Smallholding magazines.

Suzanne Gallant is a freelance editor and researcher.

Product Description
Off with their heads!

Many homemakers and gardeners take the easy way out when it comes to exiling odors and banishing bugs--they use toxic chemicals that may be harmful to their families and the earth. Ellen Sandbeck has discovered that the all-natural alternatives are just as easy and effective to use, and that they are wickedly fun. Sandbeck's way of banishing thistles from her backyard kingdom is a case in point: she chops off their heads and lets them bleed to death. Slug Bread & Beheaded Thistles reveals all of her best tricks. From bedroom to bathroom, garden to lawn, your home will be clean and green and pest-free.

Explode cockroaches with baking soda and sugar

Freshen your car with coffee grounds

Keep out slugs with a bread dough that kills

Armor your plants with soap spray

Grow disease-resistant plants by putting sick ones in your compost pile

Eradicate crayon marks with mayonnaise

Protect your roses with a minefield of garlic

Get rid of raccoons with dirty laundry

Cure plant viruses with spoiled milk

... Read more

Customer Reviews (13)

Superb service
Retrieving and quickly shipping this reasonably obscure little book proved no problem whatsoever to this bookseller.

Great "home-remedies
This is both an amusing and useful book for those of us trying to garden the green way. I've tried a few of the recipes with success!

Ok if you don't have small kids or pets
This book has good ideas if you have an adult only and pet free home. If you have small children or pets living in the house most of the techniques can not be used due to various safety issues as the author warns. Otherwise that it is rather funny and easy to read.

Kinda cute but....
Many of the ideas are little more than old spouse's tales.Regarding some of the pest control methods, please see this paper: http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1030&context=vpc14

An Enchanting Read
I gave away my first copy of this book and have started buying more copies to give away as gifts. It is an intriguing introduction to organic gardening and housekeeping. The author's creativity and sense of humor make it a fun book to refer to over and over again. Loved it! ... Read more