An USBBY Outstanding International Book 2025

Drawn from the Irish Traveller storytelling tradition, DeBhairduin’s tale is a gentle allegory about identity, self-acceptance and different ways of seeing the world.

Two slugs travel happily together until they meet a crow who asks them where their home is. The younger brother, embarrassed, makes himself a shell, and calls himself snail. The older brother carries on as he is. At first, the brothers grow apart. But in time, they learn to respect each other’s way of life.

Review

"Beautifully illustrated."

― The Irish Times

"A beautifully illustrated picture book ... It’s a clever story about acceptance and celebrating, as the book says, “similarities and common connection”."

-- Sarah Webb ― Irish Independent

"A warm story of difference and commonality."

― Sunday Independent

"In melodic prose, DeBhairduin weaves a tale about a time when no snails existed in the world ... Anima’s radiant illustrations illuminate fine details within vast landscapes in a gentle work about perspective and connection."

― Publishers Weekly

• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Little Island
• Publication date ‏ : ‎ 6 July 2023
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Print length ‏ : ‎ 32 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1915071070
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1915071071
• Item weight ‏ : ‎ 1.05 kg
• Reading age ‏ : ‎ 4 - 7 years
• Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 8.25 x 0.25 x 10.5 inches
• Grade level ‏ : ‎ 1 - 2