Some Smug Slug [Hardcover]

Pamela Duncan Edwards (Author), Henry Cole (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up

"Stop!"
screamed a sparrow.

"Save him!"
shrieked a spider.

"Silly,"
sighed a swallowtail.

Smirking and self-important, the slug keeps slithering his way up a highly suspect slope. Will the slug stop? Are the sparrow, the spider, and the swallowtail simply trying to sabotage the slug's progress? Why is everyone screaming at the slug?

Pamela Duncan Edwards and Henry Cole have created another alliterative tale that will have children snorting out loud at the surprise ending for this very smug slug.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

A self-satisfied slug ignores its friends' alliterative warnings as it proudly climbs a slope that turns out to be the back of a hungry toad: "Such a shock, such a shame. Such a succulent slug!" Ages 4-9.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 2?A slug senses a slope and saunters on up, against the advice of a sparrow, a spider, and a skink, among others, and meets with a sudden, spontaneous demise. Such is the life of a slug told with a multitude of common and not so common "S" words (shantung). The bold-faced text is short but not simple. "Seldom swerving or straggling or swaying or skewing, the smug slug shambled on." Despite this boggle of words, youngsters will likely continue reading, having been caught up in this snaillike mollusk's serendipitous fate. Realistically detailed, earth-toned illustrations focus attention on each scene. Varied animals' perspectives reign throughout while the bumpy surface that the slug climbs remains a mystery until the end. In addition to the animals named in the text, other "S" creatures are shown. Plus, to ensure close scrutiny and multiple readings, an "S" shape has been hidden in each picture. This slug is so appealing and full of personality that it will certainly garner sympathy. The cover alone, where the slug's expression is indeed smug, is enough to get readers to select this book.?Martha Topol, Traverse Area District Library, Traverse City, MI
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books; 1st edition (March 27, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060247894
• ISBN-13: 978-0060247898
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 10.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #953,142 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Pamela Duncan Edwards grew up in the Wirral, but has spent most of her adult life in the USA. She worked as a children's librarian before becoming a writer and is now the bestselling author of over 30 children's books.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Great pictures, but no happy ending, November 18, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Some Smug Slug (Paperback)

The pictures in this book are great, but the story is a little lacking. It is about a slug who "One summer Sunday while strolling on soil, with its antennae signaling, a slug sensed a slope." The slope turns out to be something "sinister" and there is no happy ending here. With a tender heart and used to happy endings, my little girl (7) was saddened by the ending and told me that she did not want me to read it to her the following night. I told her that I would change the ending to "and though the frog speedily slipped out it's slippery toungue, the slug somehow sneakily snuck away." In the book, the slug isn't so lucky! And I don't feel that the slug was smug at all, he was just going for a walk up a hill.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Slugland Thriller!, April 24, 2000

By 

Rebecca Brown "rebeccasreads" (Clallam Bay, WA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Some Smug Slug (Hardcover)

This is a silly, suspenseful saga penned in tongue-twisting poetry about pride coming before a fall, ignoring neighborly warnings & slithering up a slippery slope into the maw of destiny. Some Smug Slug is super with riveting illustrations! Very well done!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My students loved it!, April 1, 2007

By 

M. Nimmons "elementary teacher" (Laurens, SC USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Some Smug Slug (Paperback)

I teach second grade, and one of our standards is to introduce our students to different forms of figurative language. My students loved all the alliterations and illustrations found in Some Smug Slug. They also enjoyed me reading itto them, and they had fun writing their own alliterations. I would recommend this book to any teacher who is looking for a good anchor book to introduce alliterations to her students.