The Slug and the Snail
What’s inside...
An illustrated own-voices fable about self-acceptance and pride from a member of the Irish Traveller nomadic ethnic minority. Drawn from the Irish Traveller oral storytelling tradition, DeBhairduin’s tale is a gentle allegory about difference, self-acceptance, and different ways of seeing the world. Two slugs travel happily together as brothers, until they meet a crow who shows them that they have no home. Ashamed, one of the slugs decides to make himself a home, and calls himself snail. The brothers grow apart and become suspicious of each other. The slug with no shell-house feels ashamed until he learns to see that the very road he travels is his home, and so he shall never be homeless. The happy slug no longer sees himself through the judging eyes of others, but proudly asserts his place in the world and the two brothers travel happily together once more.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
4-7
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think made the slug and the snail become friends?
How do you think the slug felt when he was lost, and how would you feel in his place?
What did the slug and the snail learn about each other's differences?
Can you think of a time when you helped a friend like the snail helped the slug?
What would you do if you met someone different from you, like the slug met the snail?
Tip: Role play these questions
Start by asking your child to describe the characters and setting before diving into deeper discussion topics.
Relate the story to your child's experiences, asking them to recall a time they felt similar emotions to the characters.
Encourage your child to think about the moral of the story and what they can learn from the slug and the snail’s adventure.
Discuss the importance of friendship and accepting others' differences, drawing parallels to your child's own life.
Use expressive reading to make the story engaging, altering your voice for different characters and emphasizing exciting parts of the story.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Embracing Diversity
Explanation: Through the friendship between the slug and the snail who are different yet share a strong bond, the book highlights the beauty of diverse relationships.
Real-World Application: Children learn to appreciate and embrace differences in their peers, fostering inclusivity and tolerance from a young age.
Example Lesson: Teamwork and Cooperation
Explanation: The slug and snail collaborate to solve problems they encounter in the garden, demonstrating the power of working together.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to cooperate with others, whether in school projects or playing team sports, to achieve common goals.
Example Lesson: Perseverance Through Challenges
Explanation: Despite their slow pace and small size, the slug and snail persistently navigate through their garden adventures, showing that persistence pays off.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the value of sticking with tasks, even when they are difficult, to reach their goals.
Example Lesson: Respect for Nature
Explanation: The adventures of the slug and snail expose the reader to various aspects of the garden ecosystem, emphasizing the importance of respecting our environment.
Real-World Application: Children learn to be mindful of their impact on nature and the importance of taking care of their surroundings.
Example Lesson: Creativity in Problem Solving
Explanation: The characters often come up with creative solutions to obstacles they face, highlighting the importance of imaginative thinking.
Real-World Application: This can inspire children to think creatively in their own problem-solving, whether it be in academic tasks or personal challenges.