Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
This picture book about making things right kicks off when young Ari, who reads as East Asian, storms outside upset and vents her wrath on an unsuspecting snail. "Look at that slimy body. That silly shell," she whispers. "Those tentacle eyes! I JUST CAN'T LOOK AT YOU ANYMORE, SNAIL." Leaf-munching snails might seem like oblivious targets, but, in a droll, faux-horror spread, this gastropod--Ms. Snail--arrives at Ari's bedside that night, her tentacle eyes looming over the child's face: "I request an apology." Ari's lacks conviction, and after staring into Ari's soul, Ms. Snail slimes away with a parting shot: "Apology not accepted." When the dispute escalates the next morning and an escargatoire rolls in to defend their friend in calling for "Snaily Justice," Ari feels that she's the victim. But a moment of genuine remorse over her initial behavior leads to Subisak (This Book Is Not for You!) showing what authentic reconciliation looks like. Shots of electric orange and deep purple, bold ink lines, and big speech balloons help deliver the message that angry words cause real and lasting harm--even when the insulter hasn't intended it--and that half-hearted apologies and defensiveness compound the problem. Ages 3--6. Agent: Lori Kilkelly, LK Literary. (May)
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Review by Horn Book Review
"Ari was mad. She was not allowed to yell when upset, so she danced." Unfortunately, Ari fails to work out all her anger dancing and instead takes it out on an innocent snail munching greens nearby. Her insults drive it away, but later that evening the snail (Ms. Snail, she proclaims) pays Ari a late-night visit, making her hurt feelings known and demanding an apology. Ari delivers an insincere one, and Ms. Snail feels even more offended. All the next day, she and many snail friends seek revenge. Soon it is Ari who feels hurt and mistreated. Ink, watercolor, pastel, and colored-pencil illustrations are soothingly rounded with plenty of white space and, combined with a text full of snail-based humor, work to keep the snail vs. human showdown from becoming too harsh or unpleasant. "'It is time for Snaily Justice!'...Ari could feel the rage emanating from the escargatoire." In the end both Ari and Ms. Snail recognize that they have let their emotions get out of control, and sincere apologies and compliments are bestowed all around. More dancing and a new friendship ensue. This visually appealing, engagingly wacky story offers an emotionally honest look at the way we can carelessly hurt others when our feelings overtake us. (c) Copyright 2023. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
Big emotions can have big consequences. Ari, an Asian-presenting child with olive skin and dark hair, is mad. She's not allowed to yell, so she tries dancing, but it doesn't help. Irritated by loud munching sounds nearby, she stomps over to a bush, where she finds a target for her anger: a tiny mollusk, Ms. Snail. Ari whispers insults ("That silly shell." "Those tentacle eyes!") at the snail and jeers. Later that night, Ari is awakened by Ms. Snail, now portrayed much larger, who demands an apology. Startled, the girl tries to comply, but Ms. Snail doesn't believe her. At school the next day, Ari discovers Ms. Snail has slimed the monkey bars, preventing Ari from swinging. And Ms. Snail's friends pressure Ari for a real apology. Realizing that she has hurt Ms. Snail, Ari eventually finds a solution that satisfies the snails and restores peace. Although Ari learns that it's not OK to take out her anger on an innocent bystander, she doesn't find an appropriate alternative for handling big emotions, which feels like a missed opportunity. Still, exaggerated perspectives and proportions, as well as enlarged type, effectively invoke both humor and hyperbole. Subisak's vivid palette of deep blues, greens, and oranges draws readers into both Ari's and Ms. Snail's dynamic emotional journeys. (This book was reviewed digitally.) A reminder that everyone--no matter how small--deserves kindness. (Picture book. 3-6) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
