Have you searched for that perfect gift and somehow it’s still eluding you? Maybe you’re looking for something that both girls and boys would enjoy. Maybe it’s something that will teach a lesson without being obvious. Maybe a book about animals who love to play games.

I was recently introduced to Simon the Snake written by Diane Blue Brooks Britt, a Native American from North Carolina. Having taught preschool for many years and reading tons of books to her students, she decided it was time to put pen to paper and create her own book. She wanted to show children how to make friends and treat them with kindness and inclusion.

Diane’s book is not overtly Christian but it teaches Judeo-Christian values in a child-friendly way. The story has simple twists and turns with resolutions that make the story relatable for small children. The pictures are large, inviting children to talk about the story.

A little green snake named Simon feels lonely and goes in search of a friend in the forest where he lives. He comes upon Rabbie Rabbit, a friendly fellow who loves to play forest games. Simon immediately makes a friend. All is well until Rabbie tires and finds a soft place to rest. The soft place is a grumpy fox’s tail; a grumpy fox who only wants to be left alone. Simon and Rabbie think of a game to encourage the fox to join in the fun.

The three friends encounter a bossy bobcat. The friends just deal with him at first. When Rabbie wants to play baseball Bobby Bobcat’s true colors show. He says, “I guess you can’t play with us in this game.” Rabbie doesn’t want his closest friend to be left out so he figures out a way for Simon to fit in. Every baseball game needs an umpire. I loved the way Simon calls strikes, “Ssstrike three!” How snake-like.

Humor, problem solving, friendship, and inclusion are woven throughout the story. The language is simple enough for small children and beginning readers. The font is large and whimsical. At the end, Diane includes her note to children about making and keeping friends. She includes discussion questions that help children think more deeply about their relationships with others. Diane invites the children to create a new game for the characters, draw a picture, and email it to her.  I think this is her friendly invitation to say she wants to create a sequel and include you, her readers, in the fun.

I think Simon the Snake will make a perfect interactive early reader for any young child 3-8 years old. It encourages social skills, communication, and language arts. Simon the Snake is published by www.monarcheducationalservices.com.

Merry Christmas, Gail Cartee

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