The Snail and the Whale

by Julia Donaldson

Book Overview

From the creators behind The Gruffalo is a delightful tale of adventure and friendship with Julia Donaldson's trademark rhyming text and Axel Scheffler's brilliant, characterful illustrations--a perfect gift for any special occasion

When a tiny snail meets a humpback whale, the two travel together to far-off lands. It's a dream come true for the snail, who has never left home before. But when the whale swims too close to shore,...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0142405809
• ISBN13: 9780142405802
• Release Date: April 2006
• Publisher: Puffin Books
• Length: 32 Pages
• Weight: 0.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 9.7" x 10.9"
• Age Range: 3 to 7 years
• Grade Range: Preschool to Grade 2

Customer Reviews

It's too long for a kid under 4

It's OK, a little long and boring. Mostly just good art.

Amazing book

We read it for our toddler and it is good. Great deal

Empowering tale

We love all of Julia Donaldson’s books, but Snail on the Whale is very empowering for kids who feel small.

Great book

My grandson loves to help people even if he IS only 3. He loved hearing how something so small can help something so big. I think it's important for kids to learn (in any way) how animals/people can help each other. And this book shows a good example.

Our favorite book!

The story is cute and we love the rhyming. I love finding books that are also entertaining for parents to read. The message about helping others is lovely. We love everything the author writes.

Cute book

The rhyming isn't overwhelming. Its a cute book.

Sweet book with a good rhyming cadence.

This book is part of our bedtime routine. It's a good length and the rhyming keeps my child's attention all the way through. The illustrations are gorgeous and I feel like we find new things in the pictures every time we read it. Even as an adult I love this book -- it's a fun one to read and beautiful to look at.

Enchanting and Heartwarming Adventure

I absolutely love this book. It is a classic tale with a friendship reminiscent of Wilbur and Charlotte, though expressed in much fewer words. This is an exceptional book with beautiful illustrations and a wonderful story - perfect for all ages. The adventurous spirit and courage of our tiny hero is remarkable, proving that even the smallest of us can make a huge difference in the world. This is truly a prize book for my collection, and one I will enjoy reading again and again for years to come. J.H. Sweet, author of The Fairy Chronicles

Great Book!!

This is the best book my daughter and I have read in a while. She is 4, and I have been reading it to her every day since we got it. We liked it so much that we had to check out all of the other Julia Donaldson books. We also love Room on the Broom. Both of these are fun rhyming books that tell a wonderful story.

Absolutely Beautiful Book

We just received this book and it has already become one of my son's favorites. We had to read it twice the day it came and he is asking for it every night. It is a beautiful book, I fell in love with it the first time I read it to him. The text flows smoothly, the story is wonderful, it shows how even if your different you can get along and help one another. It also teaches that it doesn't matter what size you are , you can make a difference. The illustrations are wonderful, alot of detail and color. Just all around one of the best books I have ever purchased.

IT'S THE LITTLE THINGS THAT COUNT

Rhyming texts are always appealing to young ears, and this adventure tale by Julia Donaldson is no exception. A tiny sea snail lives on a rock overlooking the sea. The more he looks at the sea the more he dreams of sailing around it. Ignoring the advice of his fellow snails who want him to stay put he posts a sign on the rock: "Ride wanted around the world." As they say, nothing ventured nothing gained. One night a giant humpback whale came to the rock and invited the snail to sail with him. It didn't take the snail but a second to decide - he hopped on the whale's tail and they were off. They saw many wonders: icebergs, penguins, mountains, golden sands, underwater caves. Such excitement! But one day there was a bit too much excitement as racing speedboats forced the whale to swim too close to shore. Then as it does every day, the tide went out leaving "the whale beached in a bay." Now, how can a tiny snail possibly save his friend the whale? Youngsters will love this story's ending, and also learn a valuable lesson. - Gail Cooke

My Favorite!

My children and I love this book! The rhyming verses just flow beautifully, holding my children's attention as well as mine. I have yet to tire of reading this out loud to them. The pictures are wonderful and we love the snail! Not only is it fun to read but it has a great message for children. This will remain one of my all time favorite children's books.