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Hazel and the Snails
Six-year-old Hazel tends her colony of shoebox snails while observing, with varying degrees of understanding, her father’s illness and final decline. Impending loss forms the heart of this story, but it’s charming and funny, too, with black-and-white illustrations by Giselle Clarkson.
Richly rewarding and cleverly layered, adults will be as drawn to it as children. Nan Blanchard’s assured eye is a rare quality in a new writer; seldom has the world of a young child been so delicately or acutely observed. Hazel and the Snails takes you straight to the heart of childhood’s mysteries and delights.
Richly rewarding and cleverly layered, adults will be as drawn to it as children. Nan Blanchard’s assured eye is a rare quality in a new writer; seldom has the world of a young child been so delicately or acutely observed. Hazel and the Snails takes you straight to the heart of childhood’s mysteries and delights.
107 pages, Paperback
Published March 1, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
March 31, 2019
Hazel loves her collection of snails. She has ten now, all together in her cardboard box. They are often on the lid of the box when she peers in on them or shares them with others, but she is always patient, putting them back on the bottom.
These snails are a welcome distraction in six year old Hazel's world at the moment, as her family is tipped upside down by her father's illness. He is tired a lot of the time now, and eventually goes to stay in the hospice where he can get more rest. Mum spends more and more time there, with Hazel's two Nanas coming to look after her and her big brother.
At just six, Hazel's understanding of what's happening is softened by the love of her family, and is portrayed realistically and gently. She's a lively, imaginative little girl, enjoying playing with her friend and her snails, but also dealing with the loss of her dad in her own way.
With a sprinkling of black and white illustrations, this is an adorable little chapter book that would make a lovely read-aloud for young children facing loss.
These snails are a welcome distraction in six year old Hazel's world at the moment, as her family is tipped upside down by her father's illness. He is tired a lot of the time now, and eventually goes to stay in the hospice where he can get more rest. Mum spends more and more time there, with Hazel's two Nanas coming to look after her and her big brother.
At just six, Hazel's understanding of what's happening is softened by the love of her family, and is portrayed realistically and gently. She's a lively, imaginative little girl, enjoying playing with her friend and her snails, but also dealing with the loss of her dad in her own way.
With a sprinkling of black and white illustrations, this is an adorable little chapter book that would make a lovely read-aloud for young children facing loss.
June 3, 2019
I'm not really sure about this book. It's marketed for children and for some children in similar circumstances it might be helpful. Adults will relate and become immersed in Hazel's story.
June 17, 2019
Hazel and the Snails is a beautiful story for anyone who isn’t afraid of confronting the often-not-talked-about realities of life.
Hazel is wrapped in a family of loving and quirky characters - each playing a part in her understanding and misunderstanding of her father’s illness. As Hazel and her shoebox full of snails go about their days at school and home, her mother and father and brother and friend and grandmother and cat and a steady stream of lasagnes come and go.
Debut author Nan Blanchard has had the courage not to beat around the bush. With intelligence and sensitivity, she captures the perceptions and emotions you’d expect of someone in young Hazel’s shoes (happiness, sadness, no-idea-ness, aloneness, confusion and hope). There are hilarious happenings too.
Not only is it an honest tale tenderly told, the book’s design is stunning. My 8-year old has read it three times and with great delight followed Hazel’s snails across the pages and in and out of the book’s gutter every time. The generous number of illustrations by Giselle Clarkson were also a welcome find in almost every chapter.
Nan’s respect for and commitment to Hazel’s point of view as the world washes over and swirls around her, makes Hazel and the Snails a rare and special read for all ages. Five stars and a thousand cheers to everyone on Hazel’s team.
Hazel is wrapped in a family of loving and quirky characters - each playing a part in her understanding and misunderstanding of her father’s illness. As Hazel and her shoebox full of snails go about their days at school and home, her mother and father and brother and friend and grandmother and cat and a steady stream of lasagnes come and go.
Debut author Nan Blanchard has had the courage not to beat around the bush. With intelligence and sensitivity, she captures the perceptions and emotions you’d expect of someone in young Hazel’s shoes (happiness, sadness, no-idea-ness, aloneness, confusion and hope). There are hilarious happenings too.
Not only is it an honest tale tenderly told, the book’s design is stunning. My 8-year old has read it three times and with great delight followed Hazel’s snails across the pages and in and out of the book’s gutter every time. The generous number of illustrations by Giselle Clarkson were also a welcome find in almost every chapter.
Nan’s respect for and commitment to Hazel’s point of view as the world washes over and swirls around her, makes Hazel and the Snails a rare and special read for all ages. Five stars and a thousand cheers to everyone on Hazel’s team.
May 1, 2019
The humour woven through this story that acknowledges a child's capacity to feel and be affected by what's going on around them is superbly written in a way that is both compelling and yet ordinary.
This is a well-crafted story that is sure to be a classic in children’s literature. I read this book (twice) then bought 7 copies to give to young family members during a recent family gathering.
This is a well-crafted story that is sure to be a classic in children’s literature. I read this book (twice) then bought 7 copies to give to young family members during a recent family gathering.
May 15, 2019
This book is such a lovely read.
Hazel is very relatable and a great companion throughout the book
It is quirky, with pleasing little friends illustrated in each page
I found the wording fantastic and a terribly sad topic approached with sensitivity and balance
Highly recommend for the Middle reader.
Hazel is very relatable and a great companion throughout the book
It is quirky, with pleasing little friends illustrated in each page
I found the wording fantastic and a terribly sad topic approached with sensitivity and balance
Highly recommend for the Middle reader.
May 31, 2019
I loved this delightful book. I have already bought 2 copies as gifts for friends.
April 13, 2019
Absolutely loved it! Hazel is top of my gift-list for children and adults alike.
September 11, 2019
A delightfully written book that cleverly captures a child's experience and perspective of the world. The story is engaging and full of imagery; one traverses it through Hazel's eyes, senses, and mind. While Hazel's father's illness is a noticeable thread through the book, the story goes much beyond this. Consequently it will appeal to all sorts of readers, not only children affected by the illness/loss of a parent. Adults reading the book will re-experience a child's world and be reminded how much we can lose sight of children's experiences of life (and loss). Sensitive, illuminating, compelling, humorous, quirky, unique, well-crafted, brilliant! I loved this book! Nan Blanchard is a very talented writer, and I look forward to reading what she writes next! Really good illustrations too.
October 18, 2020
The book is well written and I like that it brings a topic that some kids have to go through. In the story, Hazels’ father has cancer and you see in a childlike way how she copes with it and finds attachment to snails. I like the perspective in a child’s eyes, however sometimes, when Haze does talk she seems even younger than the author describes. Her sentences short and basic. Maybe that is to illustrate all the complexities surrounding her and how much she is able to understand. I’m not sure. This book could be read quickly, but i just didn’t feel gravitated to pick it up. However, I’m glad there are fiction sources for children that may be going through this situation or for others to realize that life is full of complexities.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 12, 2019
Relatively engaging despite the lack of plot: The main narrative thread (Hazel's father dying) occurs in the background, giving the narrative plenty of poignancy but very little impetus.
Hazel's ostensible disengagement from her father's death also seems like an odd starting point from which to begin a discussion on mortality and grief with a child.
Although parents might consider it worthy, I think kids may find this a bit flat.
Hazel's ostensible disengagement from her father's death also seems like an odd starting point from which to begin a discussion on mortality and grief with a child.
Although parents might consider it worthy, I think kids may find this a bit flat.
July 18, 2019
An absolutely gorgeous read
July 18, 2019
Can’t wait to buy this book as gifts! Discovered it in Unity Books yesterday. I particularly love the little snail running along the bottom of the pages. A fresh read full of humour.
September 11, 2019
What an absolutely gorgeous book! Beautifully written, emotional, fun, thought provoking . Definitely worth a read and recommend to others ❤️
December 22, 2019
Conflicted on this one.. such a beautiful book that I feel would be poignant as an adult short story. As a junior novel it just seems too metaphorical
January 17, 2020
Hazel's coping with all that is going on - her father is dying and Hazel is trying to make sense of her changing world
January 21, 2021
Made me cry and cry.
AnnualInk strikes again! Superb writing/editing, as always.
Reread: still cried! beautiful wee book
AnnualInk strikes again! Superb writing/editing, as always.
Reread: still cried! beautiful wee book
April 29, 2019
This is a gorgeous book... I particularly like Nan's capacity to present a view of the world that's not 'adultified', so it's like re-experiencing many things I've come to view in a particular way, through the eyes of a child. The narrative is subtle, as it should be... grief is not necessarily a big and dramatic event - it's often a more gradual series of adjustments and realisations that are approached from an angle, rather than head-on... kids are pragmatic, and can also appreciate metaphor, so the book offers a great opportunity for them to think about and process grief, loss, and somehow being OK, in whatever way they're ready to do... talking about it directly, or indirectly via Hazel, her dad, and her snails. Look forward to the next one.
May 26, 2019
This author has brought Hazel, a delightful 6 year old to life weaving experiences of growing up that most of us can relate to. There a few authors that can realise and hold the delight, the curiosity and evoked emotion that is experienced by Hazel as she navigates her world full of love, joy and sadness. This is a delight to read aloud to any child or for them to read independently. Either will open up for an opportunity to share in one of life's teachable moments. I loved it and can see this on my shelf for many years to come as a family favourite. Certainly top of my list for birthday and Christmas gifts.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews