Summed up, this is a book young listeners are sure to enjoy. Older listeners/readers, however, could fall either way. It's quirky and ridiculous, and doesn't follow the usual story flow. With all of the fun, it does pull kids into thought without them ever realizing it, and might inspire them to adopt a slug of their own. The fabulous new character from Sue Hendra and Paul Linnet , the bestselling, award-winning creators of Barry the Fish with Fingers , I Need a Wee and Supertato! Norman the Slug is looking for a perfect shell—but can he find his match? Find out in this “fantastically bold and fun picture book that will teach children the importance of accepting who you are” ( Junior News and Mail). The snails are forming a triangular pattern in one of the illustrations. Can you investigate triangular numbers? A fantastically bold and fun picture book that will teach children the importance of accepting who you are.' Junior News and Mail

Norman’s shell has lots of shiny parts. Investigate different materials that are shiny and dull. What makes them shiny? What does reflection mean? Norman is a slug, but he wishes he was a snail. The search for a perfect shell brings him across the most interesting possibilities, and the results. . .well, things don't quite turn out the way anyone thought they would. Norman the Slug is looking for a perfect shell—but can he find his match? Find out in the super sparkly anniversary edition of this much-loved Sue Hendra and Paul Linnet classic! Fans of Barry, Norman and Keith will absolutely adore this new wonderfully eccentric new character' Mumsnet Words are kept at the minimum to let the story flow. It's concise and to the point, letting the tale and illustrations take lead. Young readers will fall into the story immediately and bounce from situation to situation without the slightest bit of pause. It's great for those who adore silliness and, especially, those with a short attention span—a real plus for younger listeners. Giggles are guaranteed, and there's even a moment of suspense. The ending will either leave a reader thinking, dreaming or simply saying 'huh' and wondering what just hit them. It's a book younger listeners will adore, while older ones will either enjoy it, or shake their heads and toss it to the side. It's an original tale, which hits or doesn't.Make a list of other objects / materials that would make a good shell for Norman. Think about the positive / negative aspects of having each one as a shell. Norman ‘skulked’ off when the snails shouted at him. Can you find other words that can be used to describe how a slug moves?

Hilarious... One of the funniest picture books this year - read it and laugh out loud!' Creative Steps Magazine Norman frees himself with a ‘slither and a slother, a slip and a slide’. Can you make up your own sentences that use alliteration?

Teaching Ideas and Resources:

Norman: The Slug With The Silly Shell is a children's picture book written and illustrated by Sue Hendra, which centers on a slug with shell envy finds a worthy surrogate and then something even better. Look at the different shades of each colour in the illustrations. Can you mix different Art materials to make new shades of the same colour? Look at the illustration of Norman looking at his reflection. Can you draw your own symmetrical picture like this? From Sue Hendra and Paul Linnet, the bestselling, award-winning creators of Barry the Fish with Fingers, I Need a Wee and Supertato! The text is rather simplistic and straightforward. It is a humorous story about a slug trying to fit in with a group of snails with equally humorous results. The illustrations are rather colorful with bright and vivid colors for the myriad of shells depicted.

Norman the Slug is looking for a perfect shell—but can he find his match? Find out in this “fantastically bold and fun picture book that will teach children the importance of accepting who you are” ( Junior News and Mail ).

Engage children with digital learning

Norman lands on a washing line. Why do people hang wet clothes on a washing line? What does evaporation mean? Norman's antics are superbly illustrated in a bold, decorative style and the story carefully crafted to build anticipation and humour.' Books for Keeps