Each bit of Slimy Snail’s morning journey is described in a simple, sometimes lyrical phrase (“down a slope--very slippery,” “past some flowers--very pretty”). The earth-toned, sun-drenched color illustrations spanning each double-page spread show Slimy close up, with only a portion of whatever object he is climbing up, over, across, through, etc. This makes the final page, in which we see the whole route, all the more surprising and pleasing for young children. The cave where Slimy ends up turns out to be the inside of a gardening glove, and his entire journey has been several feet in a garden. Heavy-weight pages will help this book endure the back-and-forth page turning that the final picture almost guarantees. (Ages 2-4)