IT’S HARD TO HURRY WHEN YOU’RE A SNAIL

A shy snail sets off on a mysterious journey in this story that concludes with the surprise appearance of Noah and his Ark. The snail meets several kind animals along the way and is in danger of being eaten as a snack by a number of others. All the other creatures hurry off on their own important journeys, leaving the snail to continue his ultra-slow progress, voicing the titular refrain after each encounter. Eventually he slides up the ramp to the Ark, where he is welcomed by Noah, who has been waiting for a second snail to complete his last pair of animals. Noah assures the snail that God cares for all creatures, even the tiny and the slow. Though Taylor depicts the snail in a tiny size in some illustrations and overlarge format in others, the simple and serviceable text and illustrations and the repeated refrain make this a suitable if not essential choice for preschoolers already familiar with the basic premise of this Bible story. A poster of Noah and the animals is included. (Religion/picture book. 3-5)