Having previously shared with you picture books about dogs and picture books about cats, I decided to compile a list about less cuddly creatures: snakes. When I was growing up in London, my dad decided he wanted to get an unusual pet. The choice was between a tarantula and a boa constrictor. I am forever grateful that we ended up with the latter! Having a snake as a pet was an amazing experience. They really are fascinating animals, even if they aren’t as affectionate as a dog. Here are seven books that I hope will show you how great snakes can be.
Boa’s Bad Birthday
Written by Jeanne Willis and illustrated by Tony Ross
It was Boa’s birthday. It was going to be the best one ever. Or so he hoped.
He invited his friends round. They would all bring him wonderful presents. Or would they?
This is another brilliant collaboration between Jeanne Willis and Tony Ross, which is just as humorous as their other books. Boa hopes for a brilliant birthday, but things don’t turn out well for him. Each of his friends gives him a present that really isn’t suitable. He can’t play the piano, because he has no fingers, and the hairbrush is useless as he has no hair. It really is the worst birthday ever. But then Dung Beetle turns up with a ball of dung. At first it looks like another poor choice of gift, but inside is a seed. This grows and grows into a tree that is just right for Boa. The moral of the story: “If you ever get a present that stinks, say thank you. Because it might turn out to be… the best present ever!”
Noorn
An old story retold by Kim Scott, Ryan Brown and the Wirlomin Noongar Language and Stories Project
With artwork by Alta Winmar
This story comes from the wise and ancient language of the First People of the Western Australia south coast.
Noorn is a story of alliances between humans and other living creatures, in this case a snake. It tells of how protective relationships can be nurtured by care and respect.
Noorn was created as part of the Wirlomin Noongar Language and Stories Project and is written in both the indigenous language of the Noongar peoples of Western Australia and English. It tells the story of how “my grandfather used to play with snakes”, which were regarded as being part of the family. When Grandfather finds a baby snake, he raises it, feeding it and caring for it. They are always together, with the snake following Grandfather everywhere. It hides when others come along, so they don’t know it is there. One day, Grandfather is attacked and the snake comes out of its hiding place to protect him. This book demonstrates the bond that can develop between people and animals as a result of respect and kindness. It also plays an important role in promoting the indigenous language of the Noongar peoples, keeping it alive for future generations.
I (Don’t) Like Snakes
Written by Nicola Davies and illustrated by Luciano Lozano
Slithering… tongue flickering… unblinking… scaly and shiny. What’s to LIKE about a snake?
You’d be surprised…
This book features a family who love snakes. But their daughter doesn’t like them, because they slither and have slimy, scaly skin, flicky tongues and staring eyes. For each objection, the family explain why snakes move in the way they do and why they have the features they have. Information is interspersed with the story, providing details about these fascinating creatures. For example, did you know a rattlesnake’s rattle is made from bits of old skin? Once the girl knows more about snakes, she thinks they are “slithering… tongue flicking… unblinking… scaly and shiny and snaky… and beautiful”. She ends up really liking them! This is a great book for introducing children to snakes and features gorgeous illustrations and endpapers filled with squirming serpents.
Knot Cannot
Written by Tiffany Stone and illustrated by Mike Lowery
Can Knot ever be as amazing as his hero Snake? No, he’s a frayed knot.
Another funny book featuring a snake. Knot wants to be like Snake, but he can’t slither, hiss, climb or swim. He also can’t eat his supper whole or shed his skin. “What can Knot do? Not a lot”. But when Snake is in danger from a bird that wants to eat her, Knot springs into action. He ties Snake into a knot, preventing her from being swallowed. His bravery and quick-thinking saves his friend’s life. With lots of puns and cartoon-style illustrations, young children will love the story of Knot and Snake.
Anna and Otis
Written and illustrated by Maisie Paradise Shearring
Some people are scared of snakes. But Anna knows it’s brilliant having a snake as a friend, and soon everyone else will too!
Otis is Anna’s best friend. He also happens to be a snake. The two spend time together having fun in their garden. Then Anna suggests a trip into town so they can have adventures there. But Otis is not sure about that idea. He’s seen how people, such as the next-door neighbour and the postman, are scared of him. Anna tells him he’s brilliant and that “only silly, mean people wouldn’t like someone as great as you”. Unfortunately, the trip doesn’t go well as the town appears to be full of silly, mean people. But Anna isn’t about to give up. She persuades Otis to try again and this time, little by little, they win people over, from the hairdresser to the chef at the cafe. The message of this book is that sometimes you need to let go of preconceptions about someone (in this case, Otis the snake) and get to know them for who they really are.
One Day in the Eucalyptus, Eucalyptus Tree
Written by Daniel Bernstrom and illustrated by Brendan Wenzel
Join a shifty serpent, a clever little boy, and a disappearing cast of animals in a cumulative tale that will have children captivated.
Daniel Bernstrom’s original folktale combines the delightful feel of Kipling, the musicality of Peter and the Wolf, and the fun and delight of Simms Taback, while Brendan Wenzel’s sumptuous palette brings together a world of color, movement, and character that is rarely seen.
This rhyming book features a very hungry snake and a clever boy with a whirly twirly toy. The boy is swallowed up by the serpent who is hiding in the eucalyptus tree. But he bets the snake that he’s still hungry and can eat more. He does, gobbling a bird, a worm, a cat, a sloth, an ape, a bear and a hive of bees. Each time, the boy says “there is room. Still more room”. By now the snake is huge and really can’t fit in any more until the boy persuades him to eat a teeny-tiny fly. And, like Mr Creosote from Monty Python’s The Meaning of Life, it’s just too much and the snake vomits up the boy and all the creatures. With gorgeous illustrations and a song-like text, this book can be read alongside There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly.
My Snake Blake
Written by Randy Siegler and illustrated by Serge Bloch
What’s green, and slithery, and smooth, and… smart? My snake Blake, that’s who! When my dad brought him home, he curved and twisted his body and spelled out “hello”. And when my mom was worried he might bite, his response was “relax”.
This hilarious story about the friendship between a boy and his rather exceptional pet is brought to life by the simple yet delightful drawings of award-winning artist Serge Bloch.
My Snake Blake is another story about a friendship between a child and a snake. It begins with the boy being given a snake as a gift. His father is excited, but his mother is worried. She’s afraid it will bite, but the serpent reassures her by spelling out ‘hello’ with his body. He also spells out his name: Blake. It turns out that he is “a perfectly polite, delightful snake”. He has lots of skills: cooking, finding things, helping with homework and solving problems. The boy believes that Blake “is the best snake, by far, in the whole wide world”. Of course, Anna would disagree with him!
I hope you’ve enjoyed this collection of picture books about snakes. Maybe they’ve convinced you that snakes aren’t so bad. Except when they try to eat you!
Click on the book cover image to link to the source. Quotes taken from the blurb and content of the books.
Tales From The Children's Library 