What a fun book to help kids out of their comfort zone!
This book is about Walter and how he is trying to be brave by doing new things that he would not normally do.
Along the way, he meets other insects that try to help him try something he has never done before.
This book will provide many great social-emotional learning lessons. Discussing things we are scared of, why we are scared of them, and then allowing other kids to comment on whether they have done them, why they do or do not think it is scary, etc. This book will allow kids to think of ways they can venture out of their comfort zone and be brave like Walter.

Thank you, NetGalley for an e-reader copy of this book!
Can't wait to add this one to the library.

Walter is a snail who is tired of living amongst the leaves. He wants to move fast explore high, explore far, and explore different places. That is not what snails do, but with the right type of friends they can. We follow Walter on his adventure and realizing that there is a need for a home, and sometimes you need to go back. This story has been done many times before but what sets this one separate from others are the amazingly wonderful and fun illustrations. Happy Yak books has been able to take more mundane in stories and make them something that kids are going to want to read over and over and over again.

*received for free from netgalley for honest review* This was SUCH a cute book! Would recommend and buy, super adorable.

Thanks to Netgalley and Happy Yak for the ARC of this!

I absolutely loved the art style of this, the leaves and other foliage were so beautiful and the animals were too cute. This had a good amount of text without being too long. There was a nice lesson about being able to do what you set your mind to.

This book is a fine example of a story that's published a few times every year whose messaging is both positive and familiar. The story of the adventurous loner that goes out seeking more in the world and often a little kinship from like-minded adventurers is a well trodden path in children's literature, but also one that never goes out of style. I remember reading the similar Verdi by Janell Cannon when I was a kid and last week I was reading Neon Leon by Jane Clarke to my son and getting the same messaging. This one is well done and will surely be well received by many. It's not groundbreaking, but it's a pleasure all the same.

Walter is an adorable snail. Bored with the life of a snail, he sets off to see more. He gets a little unrealistic assistance from some cute strangers who help him satisfy his curiosity. The colorful artwork is very appealing.

I got this on Netgalley in exchange for an honest review!

This was a really cute story, with beautiful illustrations! I love how all the animals help Walter experience new things, and seeing more of the world! Such a cute one, that I feel like a lot of children will like!

This is an excellent book for kids who are just learning to believe in themselves or who are facing challenges. The message that you can do things if you put your mind to it would be wonderful in a primary classroom read aloud.

Thank you to the author, Frances Lincoln Children's Books and NetGalley, for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This children's book about a snail with big dreams is great to read aloud with young readers and the illustrations are wonderful. The central message of persevering, even when everyone around you doubts you, is great. Walter has lots of adventures, meets new friends and concludes that home is not so bad after all. At the same time, I found the overarching theme of "you can do anything if you really want to" overshot a bit. - some of the "friends" Walter meets are actually dangerous to snails in real life, e.g. birds eat snails. And sometimes you may really, really want something, but it's not achievable despite all the wanting.

We absolutely loved this book! I read it to my toddler who has since requested me to read it millions of times. The art is lovely, and eye catching. The over all message of overcoming obstacles, being who you want to be, and the feeling of community is very wholesome. There are several different voices throughout the book, and my little one loved when we assigned each one a funny voice.

I was provided a copy through NetGalley as an ARC, and will absolutely be purchasing a physical copy of this book to continue reading with how much my toddler has loved this book.

My daughter said, I feel like Walter the snail was SUPERR cool and it made me feel like I can put my mind to ANYGHING. He went on an amazing journey and met new friends along the way.
I feel this is a great book teaching children that they don't know if they don't try, that you can do anything you put your mind to and that sometimes if I just wasn't meant to be you'll find your way back.
The illustrations were super cute and colorful the verity of different animals was nice and showed no matter your differences they may be willing to help you and be there to encourage you.

I received an advance reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.

Walter the Wonder Snail is an inspiring and uplifting story for young children about Walter the Snail. Walter wants to travel and see different things instead of just leaves. One day, he packs up his shell and sets off on a journey to discover the outside world. With help from animal friends, Walter travels far and wide until he gets caught in a downpour and misses the dryness of his leafy home. Walter finds a fun and unique way to travel home at speed the next day, and his Snail friends can't believe Walters adventure story - "That's not what snails do!" they cry. But we know differently!
This book encourages children to step outside the box and realise they can do anything they want to with courage and dreams. The illustrations are so much fun, and this is sure to delight any child.

Walter the Wonder Snail was a really wonderful read. Absolutely gorgeous illustrations! My children who are 3 and 6 both enjoyed it, they tried to guess what animal would help Walter on his adventure and were very glad to see him reunited with his snail friends again.

Thank you to netgalley, the author and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Walter the snail keeps dreaming that he'll discover the world around him, even though he knows he should be keeping his mind on staying on the leaves - because that's what snails do. He's unhappy till he finally gives himself permission to consider a different path for himself.

It's important to dream, and the story shows how Walter finds a way to both do what he really wants to do, and inspire others around him too, to explore the world and not stay in the same place forever. The vibrant illustrations really support this idea.

Cute children’s book about a snail that is tired of looking at the same scenery. Walter wants to do things, be bigger and faster! Through his journey he meets different animals that help him see the surrounding world after being told many times that he wants to do things that “snails don’t do”. In the end he proved everyone wrong! Thank you NetGalley for the chance to read this book in exchange for my honest feedback!

I really enjoyed this book. There are many lessons to be learned from Walter, who is courageous and does not back down when he wants to do something bigger, even when his friends doubt him. Aside from that, the illustrations are adorable. I'm thinking about getting a copy of this book for my niece when it comes out.

Walter the Wonder Snail was a really cute children's book. Walter was brave as he went agains the norm and thought outside the box. I loved the illustrations as well.

In a Nutshell: A cute though farfetched story about a little snail with big dreams.

Walter is no Turbo the speed-racing snail from the Dreamworks movie, but he still is a wonder snail in his dreams and his determination. He is fed up of his life amid the leaves and wonders if he should explore more. The other snails dissuade him with their constant refrain of “But that’s not what snails do!” Walter, however, knows what is best for himself and sets out of a journey into the unknown. With the help of some animal friends, he soon discovers that the world is indeed much more than leaves.

If you notice the cover page of the book, you will see a tagline that declares, “Be brave, be curious, be Walter!” That covers the essence of the book. Walter explored the unseen terrain with bravery. Walter knows that there’s always something more to explore and one needn’t settle for what people tell you is enough. But most importantly, Walter knows that it is okay to rely on friends for help, and that even after the bravest and most curious of journeys, one shouldn’t forget one’s roots, or one’s home.

There are plenty of great messages that come out through this book – whether directly through Walters’ friends who help him on his journey, or the indirect ones that we can gauge from Walter’s experiences.

Why not 5 stars then?

Well, as a child, I sure would have loved a snail going so much out of its way and being what it is essentially not. As a parent though, I could see the myriad dangers Walter puts himself into. He was lucky enough to find helpful animals at the right time. Without the bird or the frog for example, there was no way Walter alone could have travelled through air or into water. At the same time, notice the danger in accepting this help. Some birds eat snails, so Walter could have put his life at risk by accepting help from a bird. Similarly, by exploring inside the pond, Walter could have drowned by not knowing how to swim. Though it is just a picture book, I would have appreciated a word of caution. The world is not full of do-gooders, and kids also need to learn that exploring goes hand in hand with caution.

Also, the fact is that simply saying ‘I can do whatever I set my mind to’ doesn’t actuate itself in every life situation. I wish Walter’s sojourn had been a little more realistic, so that children could learn to take disappointments too in their stride. This book was too simplistic!

The story is written in a simple prose style with easy vocabulary. There are not more than 3-4 sentences on most pages, and every sentence carries the story ahead with a wonderful imagery, not something I can say for most picture books. I loved the use of the ‘sound’ words. Onomatopoeic effects add so much fun to children’s books!

The illustrations are lovely. Every page is bright and filled with the colours of nature. And snail with a little leaf hat – adorable!!!

Recommend to little ones aged 3-6 years, preferably to be read with an adult companion to get a complete picture of Walter’s travels.

4 stars.


My thanks to Quarto Publishing Group and NetGalley for the DRC of “Walter the Wonder Snail”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.

This sweet story is sure to capture the attention of children especially with its bright illustrations and message. Anyone can travel far and have adventures, but its always important to remember where we came from.

A wonderful, fun, adventure story inspiring confidence, self-belief, friendship, and positivity.

We see Walter move out of his comfort zone to try new things, see new places, and make new friends. But he also realises that he misses home and that it isn't so bad there after all.

Ali loved looking at the pictures, they are so bold and bright. He also enjoyed anticipating that Walter would actually be able to do the things he was doubtful of.

With an adorable main character and fabulous illustrations, this is a lovely book for young readers aged 3-6.