Ari is mad, and dancing her feelings out isn’t helping. A snail in the yard provides an outlet for her anger as she furiously whispers, “Look at that slimy body. … That silly shell.” She gets right in its face and adds, “Those tentacle eyes! I just can’t look at you anymore, snail.” The snail “zooms” away (at a snail’s pace). That night, Ms. Snail appears at Ari’s bedside. Telling Ari (Asian) that her day was ruined by the insults, she requests an apology. Looking into Ari’s soul, Ms. Snail isn’t fooled by Ari’s insincere “I’m sorry.” Ms. Snail appears again the next day, and this time she’s brought backup: An “escargatoire” comprised of her snaily friends, who sing Ms. Snail’s praises and demand Ari apologize. Ari is incensed: Her day is ruined; the snails should apologize to her! Only then does Ari remember that she had ruined Ms. Snail’s day. This time her apology—involving chalk art and a fine speech—is sincere, and Ms. Snail’s is, too: They can tell when they look into each other’s souls. The absurd premise paired with genuine feelings and authentic childlike behavior (we can’t vouch for the snails) delivers a life lesson with breezy-ness and ease in this droll picture book featuring spirited, colorful multimedia illustrations. (Ages 4-8)

This zany, charming story shows that sometimes we get mad and helps teach the importance of a real apology!



"Look at that slimy body.

That silly shell.

Those tentacle eyes!

I just can't look at you anymore, snail."



Ari is feeling angry. When she takes that anger out on an innocent snail, the snail demands an apology! Which Ari gives, half-heartedly. And that's that. Until Ms. Snail and her friends appear in every corner of Ari's life, determined to elicit the most genuine apology from an increasingly regretful girl.