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The Snail and the Whale... sniff

182 replies

BlueRaincoat1 · 03/03/2020 20:06

I have a 4 yr old and a 19 month old. DH bought the Snail and the Whale in the supermarket the other day, we have a few Julia Donaldson books but I'd never read this one before.
Was busy reading it to the 19 month old, I was liking the nice flowing rhymes, when it got to the bit about the Snail saving the Whale- I had to stop for about 30 seconds to compose myself. Wtf? And then I stayed pretty choked up til the end. And the exact same thing happened when I read it again.
Please tell me I'm not alone - does anyone else find this book emotional? It's taken me very by surprise, the Gruffalo and A Squash and a Squeeze don't have this affect!

OP posts:
GreenishPurple · 03/03/2020 20:37

I'm glad other people feel the same way about The Paper Dolls, my husband doesn't understand at all why it makes me cry

MrsHardbroom · 03/03/2020 20:37

'I must not fail' said the tiny snail.
Le weep....

TinklyLittleLaugh · 03/03/2020 20:38

One of my favourite memories is picking up DS2 from nursery school and walking home hand in hand while he excitedly told me the plot of this story they’d just had, “And then the snail wrote, with slime mummy, with slime, ‘Save the whale’”. Then of course we had to buy it.

Not gonna lie though, our favourite was Room on the Broom. “Is there room on your broom mummy Hmm for a boy like me?”

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weegiemum · 03/03/2020 20:40

I couldn't read it to my dc without a tear when they "sang to the sea as they all set sail" - choked me right up, and my dc are now 16, 18 and 20! My favourite of her books and that's really saying something!

AlexaAmbidextra · 03/03/2020 20:41

Oh God. No Matter What by Debi Gliori. I actually used part of this at my Dad’s funeral. The bit that ends ‘love, like starlight, never dies’. My Dad was 94 but I just loved it.

Pumpkintopf · 03/03/2020 20:42

@NoShitHemlock I was coming on to say that!!

No Matter What by Debi Gliori.

That book makes me sob now just thinking about it and my DC are 14 and 16 Grin

HarveySchlumpfenburger · 03/03/2020 20:43

Tea, I’m eternally grateful it was just two of my nephews and not a class full of children I was reading it to the first time I read it.

Pumpkintopf · 03/03/2020 20:43

Yes @AlexaAmbidextra - but I couldn't even read it to the dc without crying! Am tearful now just thinking about it. So beautiful though.

feebeecat · 03/03/2020 20:47

Yanbu. Got me every time, as did the adaptation at Christmas. Dtds are now 15, there is no end to it Blush

missymousey · 03/03/2020 20:48

Snail and the Whale - me too! But I really love it, I'd read it to mine every night if they'd have it! Doesn't have enough trucks and diggers to be of much interest to DS though Sad

Silenttype · 03/03/2020 20:50

The Koala who could and the Lion inside by Rachel Bright get me every. Single. Time. The last few pages 😭

Nuffaluff · 03/03/2020 20:50

That’s the thing with ‘The Snail and the Whale’. It’s deep.
‘I feel so small’.
The overwhelming beauty of the world. The overwhelming feeling of our own comparative insignificance.
It’s literature, innit?

PaulHollywoodsSexGut · 03/03/2020 20:52

I can’t even talk about the paper dolls without crying

Found my tribe it seems

happy97 · 03/03/2020 20:55

@TitianaTitsling I came on here to say the same book. I read this 25 years ago to children I au paired for and loved it. It made me cry.

I've bought it for my children and godchildren since. It's so so lovely.

The Snail and the Whale... sniff
PaulHollywoodsSexGut · 03/03/2020 20:55

Was also going to say (and I’m serious) it look me about 50-70 reads of the Paper Dolls to get through it without even stopping for composure.

I’d say 25 times without my dissolving into proper tears.

5 or so without deep sobs.

You’ve been warned OP.

nancyclancy123 · 03/03/2020 20:57

I love The Snail and the Whale. When I was pregnant I could hardly read Stick Man without sobbing. The sentence “Stick Lady’s lonely, the children are sad. It won’t feel like Christmas without their stick dad,” used to really hit me straight in the heart!

switswoo81 · 03/03/2020 20:59

Every time I read these threads I end up spending money. Discovered Paper Dolls and When there were giants from Mumsnet.

If you have daughters buy Stardust by Jeanne Wills . The most beautiful book with beautiful illustrations.

switswoo81 · 03/03/2020 21:00

*buy

Bunnyflop · 03/03/2020 21:02

I can’t believe nobody has mentioned Lost and Found! Chokes me up every single time when they hug at the end!

pumpkinpie01 · 03/03/2020 21:03

I've never cried at Stickman or Snail and The Whale I just thought they were nice stories , think I need to have a word with myself .

AnneShirleysNewDress · 03/03/2020 21:05

Never, ever read The Little Match Girl. It's devestating. Even thinking about it makes me weepy.

Sarahlou252 · 03/03/2020 21:05

Love love love Paper Dolls, it will forever be my favourite xx

MushroomTree · 03/03/2020 21:07

Definitely don't read Goodbye Mog or Alfie and the birthday surprise either, especially if you're a cat lover.

Clackyheels · 03/03/2020 21:07

Yep paperdolls. Actually had to composed myself first time reading it. It shocked me, wasnt prepared. It's my absolute favourite though. It's the nice granny. Making me tear up writing this.

ClubfootMaestro · 03/03/2020 21:07

Ok I’ve re-read paper dolls. Can someone explain to me about the granny and why it’s so moving? I’m in my 30s and struggling to comprehend a toddler book Confused