How to Party Like a Snail

Starred review from October 31, 2022
Party animal Snail loves fetes’ quiet elements, among them confetti and “whispering meaningful wishes to cakes.” Parties’ more aurally expansive components, though, such as blasting boom-box tunes, drive him straight into his shell with a “SHHOOMP!” He still takes part (“This is my jam!” emanates from within the party hat–topped shell), but with others so certain that loud is fun, Snail soon begins to wonder if he’s alone in finding peace in the quiet. When Snail stops getting invited out—even Stump receives more invitations—the gastropod changes tacks, throwing himself a solo shindig of ragingly placid proportions. He warms a pot of milk (“a hug in a mug!”), lip-syncs to his fave lullabies, and then—“to hype up the hush”—rolls himself into “a blanket burrito.” But something’s still missing, a role filled by Stump with punny alacrity that turns quickly to quiet friendship: “your SHHHindig is filled with all my favorite things!” Hrab combines speech bubbles and narrative lines, foregrounding Snail’s internality, while Collier makes smart use of calm colors, quirky details, and expressive faces, resulting in a wildly charming, earnestly rendered “SHHHellebration of the SHHHush.” Ages 4–7.

September 1, 2022

PreS-Gr 3-Even the meekest of partiers will feel seen by this snail. Snail loves being invited to parties, but sometimes all the noise makes him shrink into his shell. It's not long before he stops getting invited. Luckily Snail thinks up his very own, very subdued party, just for himself. "I love me!" he says in a refreshing portrayal of a quiet yet confident character. The party is perfect. He has warm milk, "a hug in a mug," and lip syncs to lullabies. Except his party is missing one thing-a friend! Stump, as always (after all, he's rooted to the ground) is there for Snail, and they snuggle up in a blanket for a wild all-nighter "in their hearts." As in Weekend Dad, Hrab tackles an important topic with humor: how can we belong if we aren't like everyone else? Collier's (A Horse Named Steve) illustrations strike just the right tone: sincere and humorous. In muted, vintage tones, the all-animal-and-one-stumpcast includes wide-eyed Snail with a party hat atop his shell, Raccoon swinging his hips to the music, Worm and Bear getting their boogie on, and an extremely expressive Stump. Adults will enjoy the requisite boom box in the forest, but kids might wonder what in the world it is! VERDICT A nice social-emotional addition to any collection, this has a very quiet character carrying a rather loud message: All volumes welcome.-Hillary Perelyubskiy

Copyright 2022 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

July 15, 2022
Snail finds that it's hard to be a party animal when any loud noises send him retreating into his shell. Snail enjoys the quieter parts of parties, like the confetti and whispering wishes over a cake--but when things turn rowdy, he has to hide. The other animals don't understand his conviction that "quiet is just as fun as loud," and soon even Stump, the nearby tree stump, is getting more party invitations that he is. Rather than throw a pity party, Snail decides to organize a "SHHHelebration" with warm milk ("Mmm, a hug in a mug!"), lip-synching to lullabies, and a cozy "blanket burrito." There's something missing though...until Stump turns crasher: "Stump! You're here!" "Well, I'm always here since I'm rooted in the ground, but your SHHHindig is filled with all my favorite things!" Cue the low-volume lollapalooza, ending with a snuggle beneath the stars as the two pull a wild all-nighter "in their hearts." Collier adds droll details aplenty, from a worm doing the limbo while a bear shakes its booty in early festive scenes to Snail and Stump both clad in onesies, exuberantly waving streamers before piling up the pillows. Like Maureen Gaspari's I Don't Like Birthday Parties (2021), this is tailor-made for younger party lovers with a low tolerance for high decibels. (This book was reviewed digitally.) A SHHHpecial treat for children who prefer to play it...soft. (Picture book. 5-8)

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