Serge the Snail Without a Shell

by Harriet Alida Lye, Rosa Rankin-Gee, Andrea Blinick (Illustrator)

The whimsical debut picture book by two celebrated novelists about a slug, desperate to fit in at all costs, and the adventure he embarks upon to learn that maybe being yourself is best of all! Serge was a snail without a shell.
His mum and his dad were shell-less as well.
"You're no more than a SLUG!" the snails at school taunted.
I wish I had a shell. It was all that Serge wanted. Serge is not like the snails at school. They call him a horrible name―slug―and even though that's entirely what he is, he wishes for a shell of his own. Feeling like an outcast, Serge sets off on a solo adventure in search of the elusive shell that will make a perfect home―and make him just like everybody else. After some much-needed advice from his friend Fish, he finds himself at the ocean, where many options "Big shells and teeny shells/ All the in-betweeny shells/ Pyramid and swirly shells/Altogether curly shells!" But can Serge find the perfect shell, or is he destined to be different forever? A charming, lyrical story with bouncy text, whimsically illustrated by artist Andrea Blinick, Serge the Snail Without A Shell puts a modern twist on a tale as old as trying to fit in at all costs, before realizing that maybe being yourself is best of all.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens

34 pages, Paperback

Published April 4, 2023

About the author

Harriet Alida Lye is the author of four books: two novels, one memoir, and one children's picture book. Her work has been published in The New York Times, The Globe & Mail, The National Post, The Happy Reader, Hazlitt, Vice, Catapult, and more. She founded the literary magazine Her Royal Majesty, which ran for six years and republished the first ever short story by Alice Munro. She teaches Creative Writing at the University of Toronto. She lives in Toronto with her partner, their two children, and two dogs.

Reviews

[Dee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Serge! What a beautiful little book. This story was so sweet.I wanted to give him a big cuddle too. A gorgeous book that any child would love. This also has amazing illustrations.Highly recommended!

Many thanks to the Author, Edelweiss+ and Nimbus Publishing for a ARC in exchange for my honest review
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[Rebecca Crunden]

Ooooooooooh this was just absolutely precious! The artwork is absolutely adorable and the message is wholesome. I also quite liked the rhymes! Overall a sweet and fun little book!

Thank you Netgalley for the review copy.

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[Theediscerning · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very enjoyable book showing young readers that people can be themselves and be successful at it, despite – or indeed because of – what other people might say and think. Serge the shell-less snail is told by fellow schoolgoers that he is just a slug, as if there is anything wrong with that. When his mother confirms that yes, he is in fact a slug, and no shell will be growing on his back, he takes inspiration and goes to the coast and finds all the empty shells on the shoreline. Surely one will suit him and allow him to fit in?

Well, obviously not, as he doesn't need it to fit in, which is done by just being yourself. The ending, once that discovery has been made by Serge, feels a little rapid, but before then this is a delight. The colourful illustrations are fine, and the rhyming verse of the text never pauses to worry about changing rhythm and just gets on with it – making for a great read-aloud. This might then be the rare useful book, that has a singular purpose in redirecting a reader's personal development, that said child will want to re-read for the pleasure of it. Hitting both targets, of benefit and enjoyable entertainment, at the same time is pretty much guaranteed five stars, and this is as close enough to that as makes no difference.

[szreads · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’d give this book 3.5 stars. It has great illustrations where you discover more the longer you look. I also liked that it rhymed.

I’m assuming the message is self acceptance but it maybe could’ve been better if it was instead about growing up and finding your place since 1. Slugs are not technically snails without a shell (they are different classifications) 2. They have different behaviours

Aside from the technical aspect I just found the ending could’ve been better. At first I thought wow I’d read this as a story time or add it to a gardening library list! But it fell short for me since he’s clearly not a snail and neither is his mom. So the title is silly and so is the story since it doesn’t explain this. Sure he accepts himself … but why not add more context like another page about him being ok that he’s a slug after all and a cute chart about the differences between slugs and snails.

Anyways kids probably wouldn’t care about this so yes you should read it but don’t look into it so much like me lol

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is great for kids in the fact it has a lot to look at on each page so reading is more of an "experience" together. The rhyming is clever and cute and the illustrations are very well done, colorful and immersive. Serg is a slug off to find himself the perfect shell to become a "real snail" but in the end, the story is about acceptance and being happy with who you are. I loved the story and plan to share it with my toddler. The message is great, the book is long enough for a bedtime story and lots to see on each page to interact with my daughter, ask questions and learn together. I received an advance review copy, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Katrisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This sweet book has adorable illustrations and a great message about learning to love yourself. Serge wants to have a shell so he can fit in with the snails at school who all call him a slug. Serge journeys to find the perfect shell and on the way finds his place in the world. I found myself wanting to hug Serge and cheering him on as he embraces his slug-ness. And the whimsical and colorful illustrations are just so fun!
Thank you to Netgalley for the advanced copy of this book for review!

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just reviewed Serge the Snail without a Shell by Harriet Alida Lyee & Rosa Rankin-Gee. #SergetheSnailwithoutaShell #NetGalley

This book was adorable and I loved the message within it! The artwork was pleasing to the eye and the rhyming was fun to read throughout the book. I’ll recommend this to my director so it can appear in our library, super cute!

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a cute book about learning to love and accept yourself because you are awesome the way you are! I liked the illustrations and the message. Seeing Serge try on different items on the beach was very entertaining.


Thank you NetGalley and Nimbus Publishing for the ebook! These opinions are my own.

[Katiclops · Rating 5 out of 5]

Our whole family loves this brilliant little book! The pictures are gorgeous supersaturated with lots of fun details for littles to spot, and the rhymes are delightful, they're really quite top!
I'll be buying more copies for families and friends, when you read this sweet book you'll never want it to end!

[Megan Bey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super cute book with a great story! Serge is sad he doesn’t fit in and goes on an adventure to find himself, only to discover that he loves who he is and doesn’t need or want to change.

Thank you, Netgalley and Nimbus Publishing, for the ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Ruth Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delightful tail about coming out of your shell both figuratively and literally. A beautiful message about being just who you are! The writing was engaging and the illustrations very colourful and eye catching. You definitely don't want be sluggish about it--go get a copy! A wonderful read!

[Desiree Trott · Rating 5 out of 5]

This adorably illustrated book about a slug who wanted to be a snail, is wonderful lesson in self-love for our students. I can't wait to buy a hard copy for my classroom library. I read this free in exchange for an honest review on Net Galley.

[Harriet Lye · Rating 5 out of 5]

Though I did write this book, this review comes from my totally unbiased children.

[Mary Smrek · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great little picture book on the importance of being yourself. The illustrations are adorable! There is fun rhyming with different patterns!

[Tina Loves To Read · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fun and cute Children's book that I read to my twin boys. This is a book about a Snail that was born without a shell, and he finds out that the name for a snail without a shell is slug. He does not really know if him wants to be a slug, but he learns to love who he is. I really love the message, and how it was delivered. The pictures were just so cute, and they made the story come to life. My boys loved this story, and they found parts of this story funny. Great book and fun read. I received an ARC of this book. This review is my own honest opinion about the book like all my reviews are.