Small Green Snake

by Libba Moore Gray

Striking illustrations, fun sounds, and a rhyming text mark the exciting tale of a little snake who does not heed his mother's warnings and finds himself trapped in a jar, but not for long. Jr Lib Guild.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens

1 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1994

Reviews

[J · Rating 3 out of 5]

***Actual Star Rating: 3.5***

This is a nice and fun little story that finally takes snakes and adds them as non-evil characters. The reader is introduced to a family of garter snakes - I was kind of hoping for the actual green snake but garters work. Unfortunately the actual family members seem to be a bit cliché as mom is tired out while wants nothing but sleep and the siblings are annoying.

There really isn't much of a plot that is different from half a million other stories where a child is told not to do something since it is dangerous but as soon as their curiosity is peaked they ignore that. Where this story shines, though, is with all the fun onomatopoeia and alliteration that would allow children to play along with the tale.

I also love the styling and bright colors of the illustrations although it may have been more interesting to see a pattern on the little green snake instead of making him a lighter shade from his siblings. The cat is also very charming and is captured being quite catty.

Parents and other adults may not like the book in its own telling but I think it would be a nice break to allow a reading to a child just to see how they would react to it.

[Lori Tart · Rating 4 out of 5]

Though an older title, "Small Green Snake" is a great story time book that has repeatable phrases for you to teach your children. It is also a fine example of onomatopoeia for young readers to explore.

[Diane · Rating 3 out of 5]

A sassy little garter snake goes outside the wall against his mother's wishes and is immediately trapped in a glass jelly jar, just like she said he would be. Thank goodness for the curious cat.

[Peacegal · Rating 3 out of 5]

A sort of "Poky Little Puppy" story with snakes. This story shows the experience of a snake captured in a glass jar from the snake's point of view, which will hopefully promote some empathy for these creatures.

[Krista the Krazy Kataloguer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one is great for story times. I've used it a lot.

[Deb Tyo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Recommended by author Sarah Prineas. :)

[Justine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not great on plot, but tons of alliteration, rhyme, and onomatopoeia

[Ham · Rating 1 out of 5]

I usually try to have my kids be accepting, but with this book, I told them, "This is a horribly written book. Please don't make me finish it."

[Alice · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like the onomatopoeia slither but this book is a little heavy handed with the "listen to your mother" It was fine. I like the picture more oh than the story! There you have it!

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lesson: Obeying can keep you safe.