Armstrong-Ellis's (The Twelve Days of Kindergarten
) humorous tale stars a school-phobic slug and his overzealous Fairy Slugmother. Young Seymour is quite anxious about starting in a new Slug School (in a rotting pumpkin), but a pink tutu-wearing Fairy Slugmother is there to help. However, she ends up delivering more chaos than assistance. When it's time for the class to plant lima beans, for instance, his Fairy Slugmother shouts, " 'I'll handle it!'... She shot forward like a slick arrow, grabbed a scoop, and began tossing dirt into a cup. And into the air, onto the table, and onto the floor…" (Since no one else acknowledges the Slugmother's presence, it is easy for older readers to imagine Seymour causing the mayhem, which his teacher patiently rectifies.) The comedy in the many slug references (e.g., a "Cirque du Slug" poster hangs in his room, the book Around the World in 80 Years
by Jules Squirm lies on a table) will escape youngest readers, though they'll likely chuckle at the antics of the ever-energetic Slugmother. Armstrong-Ellis's illustrations deliver plenty of silly touches such as the characters' expressive tentacled eyes and a rotten banana peel used as a slide. After several bouts of the Fairy Slugmother's unhelpful attempts, the hero relieves her of her duties. Youngsters will find comfort in knowing that if Seymour can go it alone, so can they. Ages 4-8. (Aug.)
