Stephen Michael King, Snail and Turtle Rainy Days, Scholastic Australia, 1 July 2016, 32pp., $24.99 (hbk), ISBN: 9781760159061
Rainy days – cold, wet, damp and dark. What better to do than stay inside where you feel warm, safe and cosy? In the latest Snail and Turtle book by Stephen Michael King, Snail feels like doing just that; he doesn’t want to face the world.
This story explores the beauty of friendship, especially its important position in motivating, boosting and lifting each other up. Turtle will stop at nothing to cheer up Snail; through the rainy days he juggled, spun, danced and splashed; but despite everything he tried Snail still didn’t have the courage to show himself.
Maybe Snail and the sun will come out tomorrow…
Stephen Michael King uses rain and sun to signify feelings and their influence on others; as well as those directly experiencing the emotion. Despite his efforts Turtle realises that the rain is still dampening the world of his friend Snail.
Maybe tomorrow will be brighter
The illustrations in this story captured my attention from the title page. Bordered by lush leaves I felt as though I was peering through the foliage as if looking through a window. This leaf window was carried throughout the story to capture Snail’s moments of sadness and opened up as Turtle persisted in cheering up his friend.
Sometimes the rain and sadness can feel never-ending but it takes a very special friend to bring the light, warmth, sunshine and happiness to you – just as Turtle did for Snail.
It was going to be a perfect day.
Reviewed by Raquel Mayman