Slug in Love

A solitary purple slug called Doug is the unlikely star of this silly story about finding companionship. Seeking a hug, Doug first grins hopefully at an ant, an earthworm, and others, but their rejection is decisive: “But who wants to hug/ a slug called Doug?// No one. That’s who./ Not him.// Not me./ Not you.” When Doug meets a bespectacled snail with full red lips, it would seem she’s the One: a series of Polaroids comically envisions the course of their romance, including a getaway to the Eiffel Tower. Unfortunately, the union fails and Doug is left weeping—that is, until an unexpected ladybug appears, and he learns that love can arrive when least expected. Shireen’s bright, bold illustrations pair with Bright’s wry, rhyming narration, which embraces bolded text, italics, and capitalization for readaloud effect. Ages 4–8. (Dec.)