Feeling Sluggish?

    


 

What is the difference between 
a slug and a snail?  Well, quite simply the shell.  Slugs don't have an external shell and snails do.  In a previous post I mentioned the book Slugs by David T. Greenberg.  It's a crazy, gross and gruesome book published in 1983.  It has a devoted following, like a cult movie.  When I first started searching internet sights for comments I really expected to read something to the effect of...how did this book ever get published, or this book will damage your child for life.  But no, quite the opposite, kids now grown up have such fond memories of this grisly tale.  They sat on Grandpa's lap and laughed their heads off.  In case you have never read it here is the first page...

Swallow a Slug

By its tail or its snout

Feel it slide down

Feel it climb out

Now don't feel bad for the Slugs because just like in the movie Freaks they get their revenge.  

                        Why, there are Slugs that know karate

                       There are Slugs as big as you

                      and some night when you're fast asleep

            This is what they'll do:

So, who is this person David T Greenberg?  Mr. Greenberg is the author of Crocs, Bugs, Enchanted Lions and many more well know children's books.  Slugs was actually his first published book.

He was born in Brooklyn and grew up in Great Neck, Long Island with a giant back yard and his dog as his best friend.  He just has the knack of rhyming words and the ability to tickle every child's funny bone with the gross humor kids just naturally have. He has a nice life in Portland, Oregon with his wife, Susan and seems to be a very accessible author.  He visits schools and you can email him with your questions.  This book is still around and you can find it at the library or your favorite book seller.

Now, to the softer side of a Slug (hahaha) there is an adorable, delightful book,
Slugs in Love by Susan Pearson (2006).  It is the charming story about a Slug named Marylou that is in love with a Slug named Herbie.  The problem is Herbie doesn't know it, he doesn't even know who Marylou is.  Marylou  comes up with a way to let her feelings be known and that is where the charming, delightful part comes in, you just have to read the book.  I promise you will love it.

Did you know...Slugs are invertebrates, they have no backbone actually no bones at all. the biggest Slug in the world is the Banana Slug and it can grow up to a foot long.  So, next time you see a Slug take a moment to appreciate these literary creatures and never take them for granted. (smile, wink...wink)

Here comes Peter Cottontail...

Hippity, Hoppity Easter is on it's way and luckily there are tons of fun Easter books to read and put in Easter baskets as gifts.  They actually don't have to be the greatest of stories because children love the Easter Bunny regardless. He's soft, furry, brings candy and is a friend to all.

I found the most delightful modern day Bunny Tale, The Country Bunny and the Little Gold Shoes by DuBose Heyward with pictures by Marjorie Hack.  It's a story about a girl bunny that wants to be the "Easter Bunny" when she grows up.  She instead becomes a wife and a mother to 21 bunnies and it looks like her dream may not come true.  But she is smart and determined and you must read the book to find out what happens.  Now, I said modern day tale, no....this book was published in 1939. It makes me so happy to know this book was available  for children to read and think about at a time when some women were suppressed.  Maybe this tale of bravery inspired the women that would soon "hold down the fort" here at home during World War ll.  (And those women that went off to war, nurses, pilots and many other important jobs!)

(Edwin) DuBose Heyward wrote the 1925 novel Porgy which his wife adapted into the play Porgy and Bess.  Which explains why this man wrote such an insightful children's book.  He himself as a child and young man was sickly and spent much time ill in bed.  At the age of 18 he contracted polio.  He passed his time in his sickbed writing verses and stories.  The Country Bunny was quite popular at the time it was published and I think holds up well for today's readers. 

So, look for this book even if Easter has passed, its a GOOD READ!

BTW the Easter Bunny is a Hare not a rabbit. The Easter Bunny's origin was mentioned in print as early as 1620 and can be traced to the German fertility goddess Eostre.