When Ladybug finally convinces Snail to leave his familiar bucket, he spends an exciting day in the garden, discovering the delights of strawberries, making friends with a gopher and a rabbit, and accidentally eating a hot pepper. Five illustrated chapters--with pages filled (sometimes overfilled) with color, dialogue boxes, thought balloons, labels, and main text--tell this home-away-home adventure story. (c) Copyright 2017. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Gr 1-3-Snail loves his ordinary life. He eats the same meals every day, enjoys a cozy home-an old rusty bucket-and loves the monotony that comes along with both. When Snail's friend Ladybug tries to convince him to leave his bucket for the first time and join her for lunch in the garden, Snail declares that he has everything he needs and would rather not leave. But the very next day, a farmer comes to use Snail's bucket and unknowingly disrupts the creature's predictable lifestyle by accidentally dumping him out onto the ground. Ladybug reappears to find Snail scared and alone and takes him on a journey through the garden, exploring and sampling tasty vegetable and fruit delights. He makes friends with Gopher and Rabbit, tastes delicious strawberries for the first time, and unwittingly takes a bite of a hot pepper. This is a gentle tale about taking chances and trying new experiences, even if one does not feel ready to leave behind what's familiar to potentially try something different. There are a few unexpected twists, and Peterson's bright illustration style keeps the story light and entertaining, as do Snail's varied expressions of contentment, fear, excitement, disgust, and surprise. VERDICT This one is sure to be a bucket of fun for emergent readers with an interest in bugs and the natural world.-Amy M. Laughlin, Ferguson Library, Stamford, CT © Copyright 2016. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Snail is comfortable living in his rusty old bucket in the garden, and no matter what his friend Ladybug tells him about the world outside his home, he's reluctant to leave. He has no choice, however, when the farmer empties the bucket, and Snail tumbles to the ground. Ladybug uses Snail's eviction to show him the wonders of the garden, such as a delicious strawberry and some new friends, Gopher and Rabbit. But when Snail mistakes a spicy red pepper for a tasty treat, he's had enough exploring, and his friends help him get back home. Elementary-schoolers will be drawn in by the engaging short chapters and blocky, comic book-style illustrations, and they'll be comforted by Snail's positive experiences in the garden, despite his fear of leaving home.--Paz, Selenia Copyright 2016 Booklist