The Slug and the Snail

by Oein de Bharduin, Olya Anima (Illustrator)

An illustrated own-voices fable about self-acceptance and pride from a member of the Irish Traveller nomadic ethnic minority Drawn from the Irish Traveller oral storytelling tradition, DeBhairduin’s tale is a gentle allegory about difference, self-acceptance and different ways of seeing the world. Two slugs travel happily together as brothers, until they meet a crow who shows them that they have no home. Ashamed, one of the slugs decides to make himself a home, and calls himself snail. The brothers grow apart and become suspicious of each other. The slug with no shell-house feels ashamed until he learns to see that the very road he travels is his home, and so he shall never be homeless. The happy slug no longer sees himself through the judging eyes of others, but proudly asserts his place in the world and the two brothers travel happily together once more.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Folk Tales, Animals, Folklore

32 pages, Hardcover

Published March 5, 2024

Reviews

[Stephanie Tournas · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the time before there were snails, two slug brothers happily traveled together, “as they explored the world in the beautiful dance of its ever-unfolding mysteries.” One day they meet an old crow who askes them where their home is. The two brothers cannot understand the concept, and the crow tells them about her snug nest. This gets the younger slug thinking, and he decides to weave a house from the winding road he has traveled. Thus, he becomes a snail. The elder slug opts to think of the entire world as his home. And the two brothers drift apart. Finally, the brothers happen upon the crow again, who is amused that the brothers should have such different ideas of home. The brothers decide that their common connection of the road is enough to bring them together again.

This mystical fable from the Irish Traveller community is an exciting addition to picture book folklore. The author, who is part of the traditional nomadic indigenous ethnic group in Ireland, begins the story with the memory of being excluded from a birthday party as a child because his family were Travellers. His father told him this story. The lyrical text shows the deep connection with the land that the slug brothers have, despite their difference. Lovely mixed media artwork complements this mystical connection with views of the lush greenery from the slugs’ point of view. Kids will enjoy following their translucent trails of slime as the story evolves. Caregivers will love the parable of inclusion.

[Ryan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a little odd to review, I feel two different ways about it. This book is about two brother slugs that head off on adventure, and one day get stopped by a crow asking "where is your home?". The younger brother feels bad and off because he doesn’t have a home while the other brother thinks the my world is my home. But the younger brother slips away from older brother and creates his own home. The two brothers are cautious of each other because they are now different. This book reads like a Kipling Just So Story, except it’s much sadder and has a different connotation. When I read this, I see the plight of a homeless person the argument from some that the world is their home. Or how the homeless can feel separate and different from their family. However the back of the book we learn that this is a story passed down from a Traveler. According to the book, Travelers are a nomadic tribe of Irish people. Being a story that is passed down, and the implications of the Traveler culture, that changes the story a bit. Knowing that bit at the end makes this story have two very different meanings. However, this book still feels sad. The illustrations are beautiful but this is not a story I would want to read over and over and over again. Just for the feeling left when you close the pages.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Everyone can learn something from this traditional tale passed down from Irish Travellers. It has much to say about judging others while reminding readers that we have quite a lot in common and that being--or living--differently isn't necessarily a bad thing. As the story goes, once there were no snails with their houses on their backs, only slugs. The slugs moved happily through life, sliding along at their own pace and marveling at the world around them. All that changes when two brother slugs encounter a crow, who ridicules them for being without a home. The younger brother feels ashamed, and decides to fashion a home that resembles the paths he and his brother have traveled along. This causes problems between the two slugs since the younger brother begins to think he is better than his sibling. When they meet the crow again, although their homes are very different--one carrying his on his back and the other regarding the whole world as his home, they are more tolerant of each other. The story flows smoothly, just like oral tales do, and the lovely artwork brings personality to those two slugs and their journey. While slugs aren't the most attractive of living things, they are visually appealing herewith their eyes on stems and smooth bodies. The illustrations add another layer to the story itself while also capturing its essence.

[Tessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautifully illustrated telling of an Irish tale of Travellers, a traditionally nomadic ethnic minority group from Ireland. Slug and Snail are brothers, living their nomadic life in peace and tranquility, until the day they meet Crow. Crow has lots of questions about where they call home. Crow plants seeds of doubt and distrust the slowly pull the happy brothers apart. Only through exploring the ideas of home and connection are Slug and Snail able to reunite and live happily ever after.

The story of the slug and the snail could prompt many discussions about homes. It would also be an interesting starting point to learn about a new cultures (Irish Travellers) and nomadic lifestyles.

Thank you to Little Island, Skein Press, and Netgalley for the egalley version of this book. All opinions are my own. I look forward to getting my hands on the actual book when it's published!

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[Insert Name Here · Rating 5 out of 5]

This sweet illustrated story carries a couple of lovely messages - that you should be happy with yourself and not let other people define you, that people can make different choices and still be friends - without preaching them at children, which is a fine line! Oein walks it beautifully here, keeping the whole thing entertaining and fun.

Special mention has to go to Olya's illustrations, bright, cheerful and full of details to be noticed in rereading. The brothers are full of personality and even the crow is a full character, despite only having a few lines.

This is a gorgeous book and hopefully not the last we hear of Oein and Olya.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an electronic ARC from Little Island Books through NetGalley.
Readers see a young boy be hurt by not being invited to a friend's birthday party because of who he is. His dad tells a bedtime story of how some slugs became snails. Two slug brothers met a crow and heard it ask about their home. One decided to build a home that represents the travels they have done. The other is content as he is. Sadly, they grew apart as their priorities changed but they realized they were still brothers in the end. Lovely illustrations support the text and tell the story of how large the world is. The author leaves the connections to the child's situation to the reader to figure out.

[Melki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Here's a lovely children's book based on a folktale told by the Irish Travellers.

Many may have trouble understanding why slugs prefer forgoing a "traditional home," but the slugs consider the entire world their home. One slug, however, is swayed by popular opinion, and adopts a home that he can carry with him. It's all good in this book, which is gorgeously illustrated by Olya Anima.


Thanks to NetGalley and Little Island Books for the read.

[Nicola Pierce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely gorgeously illustrated story about self-confidence and acceptance of yourself in the face of narrowminded attitudes. Believe in yourself and in your brother/sister! We are different but also the same but also different which is absolutely okay. Don't let anyone persuade you against yourself. A wonderfully compassionate telling for very young children that builds on empathy for the differences in themselves and in others. I'll be buying several as Christmas gifts.

[Tina Hoggatt · Rating 3 out of 5]

With the flavor of a folktale and told through the experience of a young Traveller (Romani people in Ireland), the tale of two slug brothers, one of whom takes a wise old crow's advice and makes a home for himself on his back, thereby becoming a snail, themes of culture, difference, and shared values are explored.

[Mary Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful! You can hear the element of traditional storytelling in this book.
This is a wonderful fable, that old style of story that has become new and fresh in this wonderful book. A fluid, evocative writing style brings the time-honoured story to the fore for this new generation, and in reading it, you feel that you are being given real wisdom, and a great gift. It is peppered with gentle humour and glimpses into the inner thoughts of both younger and older slug; and a sense of the journey they are taking. The positively gorgeous illustrations are filled with detail and nuance. They take the reader from the close and closed view of these little creatures to a sweeping vista of the wider world. There is much to be considered and talked about in this story, making it a wonderful addition to the classroom. But it also feels personal, intimate and becomes a story you want to hold close, read again and explore deeper. Charming, wise, moving, thoughtful; simply superb in every way. You must read this book!

[Kristen · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75

[Kitchen Sink Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Slug and The Snail is simply a beautiful story, in words and pictures. At its heart is a message, a fable, reminding us all that we need to be accepting not only of ourselves but also of others around us. Do not be quick to judge we are reminded.

The story is embedded in the oral storytelling culture of the Irish Traveller community telling the story of two slug brothers, one of whom tries to look like a snail because he is embarrassed that he cannot say where home is. But his brother comes to realise the very road his travels is home and he can assert himself in the world.