Customer Reviews

The Amazing Trail of Seymour Snail

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Just from the word play on the title, you can tell this book is going to be a fun read. And the book doesn't disappoint. Who'd think you could fall in love with a snail? Evidently Lynn Hazen did and so will you, when you travel through Seymour's world and see things from his very small point of view. Kids learning to read will love the heart warming story and adults reading to kids will find the word play just as much fun as the kids. Doug Cushman's artwork brings Seymour to life, blending perfectly with Hazen's snail trail tale. Fall in love with Seymour yourself.

At the beginning of this charming book, Seymour the Snail timidly comes out as an artist to his friends. Encouraged by their positive reaction, Seymour searches for a job, finally landing at a local art gallery's mailroom. Seymour patiently plods through the less-than-creative job, always keeping his dream alive. Lynn Hazen had created a modern-day parable for creative types everywhere, and filled it with the best kind of humor - the kind enjoyed by adults and children alike. A heartfelt and hope-filled tale that kids will love.

Seymour the snail loved his artwork. He'd take a "puddle bath" in the morning, perform his daily exercise, have a little bite to eat and get right to work on his painting. He even sported a little beret so he'd look the part of an artist. He "felt shy about showing his work" so when his friends came he got everything out of sight so no one would notice. It sure wasn't easy hiding his big sculptures, that's for sure! When his friends Roly Poly, Lady Bug and Cricket were visiting the table cloth he used to cover his work up WHOOSH . . . flew right away and everyone could see his work. It was upsetting because he didn't know what they'd think.

It was a big surprise when they were thought it was awesome. Lady Bug said, "You could get a job as an artist." The others agreed and Seymour decided to look for a job as an artist. Le Grand Burp offered him a job cooking "ze escargot." Not very likely. The Gooey Garden Pest Control Company offered one where he could "draw dead bugs with their feet pointed to the sky." No thank you. Mr. Earwig finally gave him a lead and he was hired at the Speedy Arts Gallery. It was a job, but his boss, Mr. Stink Bug was really grumpy and only gave him work sealing envelopes. He wasn't satisfied with Seymour's "dilly-dallying, shilly-shallying, and lolly-gagging on the job." Was Seymour ever going to realize his dream of becoming an artist?

I really liked poor Seymour even though he was a tad slow. The story was loads of fun and every dilly-dallying youngster that reads this one is going to laugh like crazy. This is a beginning chapter book that has an interesting plot that will keep children moving right along and hoping for a sequel (I'm hoping for one too). There will be a lot of rootin' tooting for Seymour the underdog and a lot of hissing at that old stink bug. If you'd like an amusing easy reader, which you can read on the sly, this is one you might want to consider!

Seymor the Snail has a big dream of becoming a famous artist. He thinks that he may have been given his big break when he lands a job at an art gallery. The job turns out to be only an office job and on top of that his boss is really mean. Just when he is about to give up hope, the owner of the art gallery notices some of Seymors work and his career really takes off!

This book is perfect for those children that are just starting to read chapter books. The chapters are short and the illustrations add a lot to the story.

Seymour has long dreamed of being a great artist but is shy about showing his artwork and is very slow. So who will hire him as an artist? When he finds an art gallery job he's thrilled, until he finds himself only a clerk. Doug Cushman illustrates the fine story of a snail just seeking a break in life.

Seymour is adorable!!!! A slimy snail who sets out to be an artist. What's not to love? After a few challenges (I cracked up at the phone conversation about cooking escargots) trying to find a job, Seymour finally finds his place as a real artist. The book is hilarious, touching and hopeful. Another winner from Lynn Hazen!