Snail and Worm Again, written by Tina Kugler, reviewed by Bethany Bratney

Summary: Snail & Worm Again brings back two beloved characters, and allows children to observe them through three new stories as they interact with the world around them. In the firststory, a leaf falls onto Snail’s back while he is sleeping and he believes he has grown wings. In the second tale, Snail finds a penny and mistakes it for a mirror. He thinks he is gazing at his own handsome face until Worm points out that Snail does not possess the attractive hair and ears that he so admires. In the final and most heart-warming story, Snail is feeling sad because his shell is plain and boring, but Worm helps him to see that his shell embodies many characteristics that he admires in others, while also being unique to Snail. 

Straight Talk for Librarians: Just as with Snail and Worm, Tina Kugler has written a set of simple, humorous stories about two best friends. Similar to the first volume, the text is accessible to a new reader and the stories are funny enough to engage them, but a younger child is equally likely to be entertained by Snail and Worm as a read-aloud. The illustrations, a bright and colorful combination of acrylic and collage, are paramount to the stories, as Snail and Worm’s adventures often include some aspects of physical humor that will delight young readers. In addition, it is the inclusion of that physical humor that presents the frequent misunderstandings of the beloved invertebrates, allowing for even very small children to be in on the jokes and feel like experts. Like its predecessor, Snail and Worm Again is likely to become a fast favorite among young children and new readers alike. Add it to any collection in which Snail and Worm is popular, or in which the early reader library needs to be updated.