2023
WISE Score
Amazon
Aaron Slater trades his sketchbook for some detective work when a tiny snake named Vern decides to play hide-and-seek at the zoo.
4.4
4.4View →Our reviews and ratings are 100% unbiased, but as an Amazon Associate, Screenwise earns an affiliate fee if you buy a book or game by clicking one of our links. We don't get any credit if you just Google it instead :)
This is top-tier early elementary literature. Andrea Beaty has a knack for creating characters who feel like real kids with real struggles—in Aaron's case, dyslexia—without making the story feel like a 'lesson.'
It’s fast-paced, funny, and the illustrations by David Roberts are fantastic. If your kid is moving into chapter books, this is a much better choice than some of the older, more stale series you might find at the library. It's smart, it's kind, and it actually looks good on a shelf.
Best for 6 to 9-year-olds. It hits that sweet spot for 1st through 3rd graders who want a 'real' book but still appreciate great drawings.
It's a gentle, community-focused story about helping a zookeeper and a misunderstood pet. It models kindness toward animals and cooperative problem-solving without being preachy.
Aaron Slater is an illustrator, and the book leans into visual thinking and creative solutions. It encourages kids to see the world through an artistic lens.
Zero red flags. No violence, no mature themes, and no scary content beyond a 'sneaky' snake that is more cute than threatening.
Excellent for kids who might struggle with traditional reading, as Aaron himself has dyslexia. It builds empathy for animals and shows how different talents can solve real-world problems.
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