  | Full Text Reviews: School Library Journal - 08/01/2015 K-Gr 2—Readers may agree with the young serpent-loathing protagonist of this book, but her family doesn't. When they respond to her declaration "I really, really, REALLY don't like snakes!" with a resounding "WHY?" the stage is set for a series of complaints. With each argument, the girl finds herself backsliding. Her objections—slithering movements, slimy skin, flicking tongues, and staring eyes—are all overcome with explanations and rebuttals. Soon she is sharing interesting facts with her family, and (no surprise here) she finally announces her change of heart. Pet snakes that are reminiscent of those in Tomi Ungerer's Crictor (HarperCollins, 1958) are everywhere to be found, while snake skins decorate the family's furniture, shoes, rugs, walls, and the book's endpapers. Cartoon artwork and italicized text are used for the fictional story, while a more realistic art style with standard text for factual elements. Most snakes are identified, and brief back matter adds additional information. VERDICT While many readers won't be as easily converted as the book's narrator, this title may spur them on to learn more.—Carol S. Surges, formerly at Longfellow Middle School, Wauwatosa, WI - Copyright 2015 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission. Booklist - 09/01/2015 In this slithery tale about overcoming fears, a girl with an aversion to snakes has the misfortune of belonging to a snake-loving family. Using knowledge as an antivenin to her phobia, her parents explain how snakes move—giving details about their markings and skin, which is not slimy—and describe how these reptiles use their tongues and eyes. Her brother tries to scare her by relating how snakes capture their prey. In the end, for this youngster, to know them is to “really, really, reeeeealllly LIKE THEM!” Most of the double-page spreads feature pleasant cartoon drawings of the family on the left and realistic drawings of snakes and their distinctive qualities on the right. A different font is used to distinguish the family’s dialogue from the information about the snakes, clearly separating fact from fiction. Although this might not cure ophidiophobia, its duo design will let it slide easily into a storytime setting or into the hands of older readers looking for more detailed information about snakes. - Copyright 2015 Booklist. Loading...
 |