Sean Ferrell is the author of two novels for adults, Numb and Man
in the Empty Suit. He has since grown up and started writing for
children, too. His picture book I Don’t Like Koala was published by
Atheneum in 2015, and The Snurtch, also from Atheneum,
was published in 2016. He lives and works, in no particular
order, in Brooklyn. Visit Sean online at SeanFerrell.com.
Charles Santoso loves drawing little things in his little journal.
He gathers inspiration from his childhood memories and curiosities
he discovers in his everyday travels. He has illustrated several
picture books, including The Snurtch, I Don’t Like Koala,
Finding Muchness, and Ida, Always. Charles also works as a visual
development artist, creating illustrations for feature film
projects. He lives and works in Singapore. You can visit him at
CharlesSantoso.com.
* "The Snurtch sits in Ruthie's seat at school, all furry, spiky,
goofy, and googly-eyed, waiting—just as she expected.... Children
whose cheeks flush with quick anger and whose school days are
riddled with frustration and regret will empathize deeply with
Ruthie's helplessness at the hands of her Snurtch.... While the
Snurtch doesn't appear scary (it looks kind of silly), its perfect
embodiment of overwhelming (and instantly regrettable) impulses
borders on heart-wrenching. Every student harbors and battles a
Snurtch, as readers see with relief on the final pages of this
clever, pertinent book, but some have bigger, more monstrous ones
than others. Ruthie's dark brow, set mouth, and hooded eyes make
clear the weighty burden she carries around like a backpack.
Original in its visual and linguistic presentation of behavioral
problems, this important call for understanding should sit on
library, classroom, and bedroom shelves—the high ones, just
above a Snurtch's reach."
*Kirkus Reviews, May 2016, *STARRED REVIEW**
* "Everyone has his or her demons. Ruthie’s is called the
Snurtch.... “The Snurtch is grabby and burpy and rude,” writes
Ferrell, who, along with Santoso, explored another
less-than-healthy relationship in I Don’t Like
Koala (2015)...after Ruthie shares a portrait of her nemesis
in class, the exercise triggers an epiphany: yes, the Snurtch is
part of her, but it doesn’t control her. The Snurtch isn’t
vanquished (nobody’s perfect), but with Ruthie’s new sense of self,
it becomes a little more empathic, which vastly improves her
feelings toward school. It’s beautifully true to life, and
Santoso’s quick-tempered heroine, with her eloquent grimaces and
pigtails that festoon her head like architectural detailing, is
fully deserving of readers’ sympathies. And as the final pages make
clear, Ruthie is hardly alone in having an attitude that can get a
little beastly."
*Publishers Weekly, May 2016, *STARRED REVIEW**
"Ruthie, a wide-eyed, snub-nosed child with pigtail tufts that
stick straight up, “has a problem at school.” And it’s a big
one. Think imaginary friend meets Inside Out meets the old
devil-made-me-do-it excuse, and voilà, you’ve got the
Snurtch.... Portrayed with humor and empathy, Ruthie’s
challenges with regulating emotions and behavior will provoke
plenty of discussion—even among the youngest
of listeners."
*The Horn Book, July/August 2016*
"Ferrell’s clear, succinct prose will appeal to
kids.... Santoso’s delightful depictions of wild-eyed monsters
wreaking havoc in school will delight preschoolers...
[an] entertaining addition for larger library
collections."
*School Library Journal, July 2016*
"Ruthie resolutely marches into her classroom, pigtails in angry
puffs, to find her old nemesis—the Snurtch—already seated at
her desk.... The creators of I Don’t Like Koala (2015)
here take on another childhood challenge with their signature
quirkiness. Santoso’s hysterical illustrations expertly
capture the children’s open expressions and the wild antics of
the Snurtches....kids will identify with having a
fidgety, mischievous monster inside."
*Booklist, July 2016*
"Illustrated self portraits of Ruthie when she is feeling
Snurtch-like give visual impact to the feelings elicited by the
Snurtch.... The author skillfully and humorously describes the
Snurtch's effect on the classroom, and explores a difficult problem
that is experienced by many students who do not realize they are
being manipulated by their feelings. RECOMMENDED."
*School Library Connection, January/February 2016, Recommended*
This item has low availability through normal channels. The supplier has a low reliability rating in Fishpond's system and may not arrive on time. Learn more.
|
Ask a Question About this Product More... |
|
