The Snarth Goes to School [Hardcover]

Tessa Hart (Author), Frank Sergi (Author), Pietri Freeman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 2000 | Age Level: 5 and up

Katrina Mann is nervous about going to her new school, especially since her family has a very unique member, the Snarth - an exuberant creature with a long snout, flexible, flubbery lips that wilt when its dejected, paddle-shaped feet and a light dusting of tummy fur. The Snarth is determined to go to Katrina's school and sneaks into her classroom. Everyone is happy except the strict principle, Mr. Flatt. In the end, the Snarth convinces Mr. Flatt that it should stay in school, much to everyone's delight.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Born in Zurich, Switzerland, Tessa Hart created the Snarth when she was a child, and it has been a member of her family ever since (some say she IS the Snarth). Frank Sergi, a native of Rome, Italy, adopted the Snarth after his marriage to Tessa and says he has almost never been sorry. The husband and wife team are practicing psychologists in Pennsylvania. Hart and Sergi plan future Snarth children's books.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Hardcover: 48 pages
• Publisher: Brookfield Reader (November 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 096601720X
• ISBN-13: 978-0966017205
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 8.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #7,349,951 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars A timeless theme---helping others "fit in", November 14, 2009

By 

Rene J. Depontbriand "rdepontb" (Baltimore, MD) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Snarth Goes to School (Hardcover)

Hart and Sergi have crafted a tale of two school children helping their friend---an outlandish-looking, ageless, and wise alien being---fit into their school day. It took me a second reading to appreciate what my 7 1/2 year old knew right away. This was a story for today's multi-cultural, multi-generations.

Snarth, the main character, looks like nothing you've seen before: A horn of a snout, a spiky crown, huge kangaroo-like feet, pot belly, pink skin, freckles...believe me, no one has much experience with this character's looks.

Snarth's sentiments, though, are quite universal. He has lived nearly forever, and so knows lots of history---first hand. He is eternally curious about things---like you'd want any child to be. He wants to fit---like any child wants to be accepted.
He lives with the family of Katrina Mann. Katrina wants dearly to bring him to school, in order to increase her own standing and joy, as well as to enrich Snarth's life and that of the school's.

Things do not go so well in class. The excitement of Snarth's presence, and his eager curiosity get him into trouble, and the School Principal decides to banish Snarth from the grounds. That does not go so well either, as Snarth finds a way to return to play with the children. And attend class. It is especially in History class that Snarth is able to show the fruits of his experience, by recounting first-hand the stories dryly written in the school texts. In fact, he is able to bring history alive for the entire school---including for the principal.

There is nothing but sweet inspiration in this story. It teaches us friendship, patience, tolerance, and the benefits of looking deeper into even our chance acquaintances' hearts and spirits. Suited for 1st to 4th graders, ideally, I thought.