The slug

The slug is one ugly bug. It is a disgusting critter and thus fits perfectly as the fourth entry in the Disgusting Critters series. While the slug is the bane of a gardener's existence, it has a purpose in the cycle of decay in the plant and animal kingdoms. In this irreverent, humorous, minimalist (both in text and use of colors) introduction to the slug, Gravel textually and graphically describes its parts, use of mucus, reproduction process, and purpose. The cartoonlike illustrations and text bubbles give the slug personality, while varied font sizes and styles provide the information. Probably the grossest, but funniest, illustration is when the slug meets the snotty-nosed baby. That's the two-page spread that a child will likely thrust into the face of a friend, hoping to get a loud response of GROSS! or YUCK! If a librarian or teacher is looking for an informational book for research, this isn't it; but, it is a great, fun way to engage readers and share giggles.--Petty, J. B. Copyright 2015 Booklist

Gr 2-4-These easy-to-read titles aim to amuse and inform in tandem. A cartoon rat or slug provides silly commentary to accompany an array of factoids about its respective subjects' physical characteristics and life style. (While the narrator explains that rats are enamored of human foodstuffs and garbage, this protagonist requests "more delicious electrical wire in tomato sauce.") Rat reproduction is mentioned nowhere, and as for slugs, well, the information is ambiguous. Looking "to find a partner and have babies," this slug hero/heroine (being both) follows another slug's mucus trail and then "lays its eggs." The book fails to discuss contact between the slugs, which will surely result in many questions from young readers. Still, gently amusing and somewhat informative, these cartoon books will find a home in many a classroom library and will meet the basic needs for those children who dread nonfiction book reports.-Patricia Manning, formerly at Eastchester Public Library, NY (c) Copyright 2014. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.