The Snake Who Came to Stay

The Snake Who Came to Stay by Julia Donaldson, illustrated by Hannah Shaw (Scholastic Australia)
PB RRP $9.99
ISBN 978-1-74283-709-3
Reviewed by Jenny Heslop

Polly doesn’t have any pets of her own but she does run a holiday home for pets. These holidays she has guinea pigs, a bird, and a snake. Mum is unhappy about the last pet but when Doris the snake arrives all is okay.

Then Doris goes missing. How will Polly tell the snakes owner Jack when he gets home? How will she tell Mum there’s a snake missing somewhere in the house?

The Snake Who Came To Stay is a fun story. It is written simply and well, with seven short chapters and not too many complicated words. The plot is complex enough to hold attention; it is realistic and relatable.

The black and white illustrations break up the text on each page making the chapters less daunting. These pictures add to the humour of the story. I especially love the guinea pigs who pop up throughout.

The Snake Who Came To Stay is a fabulous book for stretching beginner readers. It is a step towards longer chapter books and is an amusing, entertaining read.

PS Don’t overlook the snake jokes on the inside front cover.