Seymour Slug Starts School - Hardcover

Carey Armstrong-Ellis

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0810957795 ISBN 13: 9780810957794

Publisher: Abrams Books for Young Readers, 2005

Synopsis

A wonderfully funny new back-to-school title by Carey Armstrong-Ellis, illustrator of 12 Days of Kindergarten.

Seymour's family has recently moved to a new home near the compost pile and he is now facing his first day of Slug School. He's so nervous-he worries about being picked on and not being good at dodgeball. That night in bed he is surprised by a POOF! It's his Fairy Slugmother who appears to tell him she will be near tomorrow at school to help him with any trouble he might have. But the next day, instead of helping him, his Fairy Slugmother seems to only make matters worse by spilling dirt when they plant seeds for their science project and drawing pictures when she should be helping Seymour spell his name. By the time Seymour busies himself correcting his Fairy Slugmother, he realizes he has everything under control and has nothing to fear at school (well, except maybe dodgeball!).

With enchanting illustrations, Armstrong-Ellis uses humor and sensitivity to cheer kids on as they prepare to go back-to-school.

About this title

About the Author

Carey Armstrong-Ellis' is author of two previous books, 12 Days of Kindergarten and Prudy's Problem. She lives in Maine.

From Publishers Weekly

Armstrong-Ellis's (The Twelve Days of Kindergarten) humorous tale stars a school-phobic slug and his overzealous Fairy Slugmother. Young Seymour is quite anxious about starting in a new Slug School (in a rotting pumpkin), but a pink tutu-wearing Fairy Slugmother is there to help. However, she ends up delivering more chaos than assistance. When it's time for the class to plant lima beans, for instance, his Fairy Slugmother shouts, " 'I'll handle it!'... She shot forward like a slick arrow, grabbed a scoop, and began tossing dirt into a cup. And into the air, onto the table, and onto the floor..." (Since no one else acknowledges the Slugmother's presence, it is easy for older readers to imagine Seymour causing the mayhem, which his teacher patiently rectifies.) The comedy in the many slug references (e.g., a "Cirque du Slug" poster hangs in his room, the book Around the World in 80 Years by Jules Squirm lies on a table) will escape youngest readers, though they'll likely chuckle at the antics of the ever-energetic Slugmother. Armstrong-Ellis's illustrations deliver plenty of silly touches such as the characters' expressive tentacled eyes and a rotten banana peel used as a slide. After several bouts of the Fairy Slugmother's unhelpful attempts, the hero relieves her of her duties. Youngsters will find comfort in knowing that if Seymour can go it alone, so can they. Ages 4-8. (Aug.)
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About this edition

• Publisher: Abrams Books for Young Readers
• Publication date: 2005
• ISBN 10: 0810957795
• ISBN 13: 9780810957794
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 32