Henry the Snail

by Katarína Macurová

A story about a little snail called Henry who was born without slime and therefore will never be like everyone else.

When Henry finds out he‘s missing the most important element for snails—the slime giving up is not an option for him. He tries to find ways to be able to climb things just as the other snails do. He struggles a bit before he finds the right solution, but in the end, he becomes the inspiration for his fellow snails and makes a lot of friends along the way, teaching us that far from being an obstacle, a difference may prove to be the key that opens new horizons.

Genres: Picture Books, Friendship, Storytime, Animals

40 pages, Hardcover

Published June 13, 2023

Reviews

[Kailey (Luminous Libro) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Henry is a young snail who worries that he won't be able to climb the flower stalks like the other snails, because he doesn't have any slime to help him grip and stick to the plants. He starts to work out his muscles, hoping that he'll be able to climb up high. Despite his best efforts, he still has to ask for help. But he can be proud of all he has accomplished, and even help others when they need it. Henry's unique strengths lead to the development of a special community of snails.

What a cute book! Little Henry is so adorable. I love his can-do spirit and his tenacity! What a great message for little readers who might feel inadequate or weak. A positive attitude can work wonders in any situation!

I love the pretty illustrations! Every page is full of lovely flowers and greenery, and the designs for the little snails and slugs are so cute!

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a free and honest review. All the opinions stated here are my own true thoughts, and are not influenced by anyone.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

The creativity of children's book authors and illustrators never fails to astound me. Nowadays young readers can enjoy fiction and nonfiction titles about sloths, koalas, spiders, and even slugs or snails. In this particular case, Henry is a snail who has no slime, which makes it challenging for him to move up the plants to the heights he longs to conquer. Try as he might, he just can't do what the other snails do. His efforts to find substances that work like slime fail, and his rigorous strength building program can only take him so far. But with a little help from a kind-hearted slug, he achieves his goal, even eventually teaching the other snails enough tricks, honed during his physical training, to start his own circus. The illustrations consist of up close and faraway views of Henry and the garden in which he lives and an astounding view of the world from way up high--well, as high as a plant can grow. Some youngsters will take comfort from the story since Henry doesn't let his differences limit him or keep him down, and he readily accepts help when it's offered as well as being eager to share some of what he has learned. It's clear that he has a choice--to remain mired in misery over what he can't do OR to find some way to compensate.

[Stephanie Tournas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Henry the Snail has no slime. He cannot climb any plants, despite experiments in bathing in honey or using sticky tree sap. So he decides to get around his disability by getting stronger. He builds his muscles by crawling with a strawberry on his head, dragging pebbles, lifting peas (shown skewered like barbells!) and balancing peach pits on his belly. I loved these images for their humor and creativity. Finally, he’s strong enough to climb the tallest flower in the garden, and is helped to the top of the bloom by a kind slug. Henry learns to ask for help when he needs it, and gives back by helping other snails learn his feats of strength. At the end, the snails set up a circus together, and give performances in an overturned flower pot.

This is a sweet tale of perseverance and of not letting a disability define oneself. The hand-lettered text is easy to read, and the artwork is gorgeous – the garden greenery and bugs are beautifully rendered in a realistic style, while still imbuing the insects with personality.

Not a criticism, but I would have liked a few facts to understand why slime is important for snails.

[The Silvan Reverie | Sarah Street · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was expecting a picture book celebrating snails but instead was treated to something far better -- a charming and funny story with inherent life lessons. The story contains themes of fitting in and living with disability, but avoids being overly didactic. The silliness is just the right amount, charming and avoids taking over the narrative. Henry the Snail is born without slime and finds climbing things to be incredibly challenging. With some hard work, acknowledgment of his limitations, and several helpful friends, Henry is able to accomplish his dreams in his own unique way ... and, what's more, he's able to help invite those around him to learn from the unique talents he is able to do. The illustrations pair nicely with the story, containing rich nature-based elements but also the right about of whimsy.

***Note: I was given a review copy of this book via Publisher's Spotlight. Opinions are my own.

[Angie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This sweet picture book tells the story of a snail named Henry who doesn't have enough slime. At first he tries to get sticky in other ways, like honey, but then he works really hard to learn how to do the same thing the other snails do, but without the slime. Eventually he learns that it is ok to lean on others for help when needed and that what makes you different can also make you really unique. His special talents he has developed by trying to climb without slime lead him to creating a cool circus and his talents are celebrated. I think this is a great book for teaching about diversity and disability, growth mindset and even just being special and unique. I could definitely see this book being in my classroom library and would recommend this book to parents and teachers of children in the age 6-1o range. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me the chance to read and review this book!

[Theediscerning · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brilliantly managing to pull away from being too bonkers for its own good, this winsome little story is actually good fun, and really classily drawn. Henry the Snail has no slime, oddly enough, so cannot climb up any plant stems, not to eat anything, not to pass the time, and not for the view from the top. So what can he do about it? Well, do body-building exercises that practically make a pole dancer out of him, that's what. And then people don't see his difference as a disability at all… Well-intentioned and moral-giving at the same time as being amusing and entertaining, this was a big surprise. And any publisher, of fiction or non, who doesn't want to work with an artist with the talents on display here needs their own sliming. Four and a half stars.

[Dianna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really like when a children’s book is entertaining and is also able to sneak in some life lessons without it feeling preachy. HENRY THE SNAIL by Katarina Macurova.

Henry discovers he’s not developed the one thing snails need for climbing - the slime. He doesn’t let it get him down and sets out to figure out how to still do what he wants to with some adaptations and help from others.

My grandson enjoyed this story and the artwork and he was able to share with me what lessons Henry learned along the way. It’s a great book and one that would be a great addition to any library; public, personal, and educational. 5 stars!

Huge thanks to NetGalley and Albatross Media for letting me review this ebook for you.

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Henry has no slime. He was born different. But he wants to be like other snails, he just has to learn to do things differently. And sometimes he has to ask for help. This book was lovely, and a lovely parable of disability, and how there is ability, it is just sometimes different. And while this book is lovely, the illustrations are bright and colorful and kids will love it, as an adult I find a few things funny. The snail pole dances and teaches others to do so too. It does not say that anywhere, but as an adult that is what I get from the pictures. However, kids will just get the intended lesson. This book has a bit of something for everyone.

[Deanne Patterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Henry the snail is not like the other snails because he was born without slime. He is only able to crawl on the ground. More than anything Henry wants to climb to high places like his friends. Should Henry give up because he's different? NO! This young snail has a strong determination to not let his being different hold him back from what he wants to do. Through trial and error, he makes it to a high place, the top of a flower and has an impressive view. Beautifully illustrated with a valuable lesson for children. Highly encouraging!

I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little snail named Henry finds out he was born without slime and will never be like all his fellow gastropods. Despite this disadvantage, Henry finds ways to climb things just as the other snails do. He struggles at first but ends up an inspiration to his fellow snails and makes a lot of friends along the way. Young children will see in this gentle story with a sympathetic hero that challenegs in everyday life situations are noit necessary permanent obstaces.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Picked this up for a 5-year-old’s birthday gift and of course had to read it to vet it. Super cute story about a snail with aspirations to be like everyone else, but he has a limitation—he can’t make the slime he needs to get places! Cue creative problem-solving, friendships, support, and a positive attitude to help Henry overcome his challenges. Wonderful art, too! Perfect for a nature-loving young reader.

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Henry is born without slime, so what should be easy-like climbing a flower-can be incredibly difficult for him. Henry overcomes with strengthening and endurance. He is even capable of doing things that other snails don't normally do because of all the practice-like using tentacles to climb! He ends up teaching other snails some of his tricks and opens a circus.

Good for preschool or older kid storytimes.

[Veronika Pizano · Rating 4 out of 5]

Typický príbeh Macurovej nám v tomto prípade prirástol k srdcu, lebo máme radi slimáky a ešte aj náš najmladší má rovnaké meno.