“Sylvia is confident in her own ‘quiet strength,’ showing children that power comes in many forms—often, the best way to solve a problem isn’t through brute force, but through patience and communication. Stephanie Shaw and Fiona Lee have crafted an ‘atypical hero’ who is sure to be a hit with yoga enthusiasts and gardeners alike. Lee’s expressive illustrations perfectly complement Shaw’s concise, satisfying narrative. The earthy color palette makes the shimmering, silvery ‘slime trail’ Sylvia leaves behind a visual focal point—one that will captivate even the youngest readers. The book also incorporates various fun yoga poses, making it an ideal, highly interactive read-aloud.”
— *Good Reads with Ronna*

“This charming story is brought to life by vivid, engaging illustrations (the characters and animals are incredibly expressive)—even the glistening slime trail left by Sylvia is rendered in striking detail.”
— *Youth Services Review*

Perfect for children from preschool through second grade—sometimes the smallest inhabitants of a garden make the biggest impact. Sylvia is a slug no larger than a finger; she is thoughtful and deeply devoted to the lush, bountiful garden she calls home. The sights, sounds, and scents of the garden bring her great joy—and it also happens to be the perfect place for her to practice yoga. She stretches her body like a cobra, leans forward like a puppy, and arches her back like a kitten—all while the energetic "inhabitants" of the garden are busy hunting for a tasty meal. These furry or feathered "uninvited guests"—deer, rabbits, and crows—soon draw the gardener’s attention with their reckless behavior. When a scarecrow appears in the garden, their plans to snack on the corn, peas, and carrots are thwarted. Fortunately, Sylvia comes up with a solution. Drawing on her persistence and graceful demeanor—and leveraging her greatest assets: kindness, a supple body, and a bit of slime—she successfully convinces the gardener to share the garden’s bounty. Shaw’s vivid and expressive descriptions of the flora and fauna are sure to captivate young readers; the author even includes an informative note at the end about slugs and the role they play in a garden ecosystem. Lee’s mixed-media illustrations feature a sophisticated color palette, with an aesthetic that will likely appeal to adult fans of Anna Rifle Bond. The book strikes a perfect balance between lively, dynamic scenes and moments of Zen-like tranquility, setting it apart from other yoga-themed picture books. Verdict: A fun, spirited story that makes a wonderful addition to any picture-book collection; it subtly weaves in lessons about manners without ever feeling preachy or forced. — *School Library Journal*, Sarah Simpson, Westerville Public Library (Ohio)

“What could be more quintessentially local than a picture book featuring a yoga-practicing slug? Author Stephanie Shaw introduces a quirky, imaginative protagonist. When her animal friends—relying on speed, strength, and size—fail to outsmart a gardener who keeps a tight watch over his patch, it is this slug’s clever, gentle approach that turns the tide. Fiona Lee’s mixed-media illustrations perfectly complement Sylvia’s elegant solution.”
— The Oregonian

“A wonderful story that advocates for a more measured, mindful way of living, encouraging readers to make more constructive choices. The story’s surprising conclusion offers a delightful experience for young readers, further enhanced by Fiona Lee’s vivid and expressive illustrations.” — Midwest Book Review

“A slug comes to the rescue of her hungry friends at a crucial moment... Yoga enthusiasts will likely find it both amusing and entertaining to watch a slug strike a ‘Locust Pose.’”
— Kirkus Reviews

★ A story about how a tiny creature—through her self-restraint, kindness, and respect—brings an unexpectedly powerful strength to herself and her friends.
★ Nominated for the 2023 Patricia Gallagher Children’s Choice Award.
★ Highly recommended by *School Library Journal*, *Kirkus Reviews*, *Midwest Book Review*, *Youth Services Review*, and more.
★ Rights sold for Traditional Chinese.

Stephanie Shaw is an award-winning children's book author, educator, and former schoolteacher and principal. With over 30 years of experience in the public school system, she is passionate about children's education and literacy―and about incredible animals like slugs! Stephanie currently lives in Oregon. Visit her at StephanieShawAuthor.com.

Fiona Lee was originally trained as a science illustrator but has since found a new passion in children’s illustration. Her art is inspired by color, kids, and animals, and she enjoys capturing the details and textures of life’s small moments. Fiona lives in Vermont in a tiny house in the middle of a big hayfield. Visit her at FionaLeeStudios.com.

Sylvia is a slug—no bigger than your little finger—and she moves exactly as her name might suggest: slowly! Unlike her animal friends, she cannot run, jump, or fly. With no shell to protect her and no ability to leap or take flight, she might seem incredibly frail.
The garden is brimming with fruits and vegetables. Deer, rabbits, and crows hatch schemes to sneak in and help themselves to the bounty, but the gardener chases them away each time—eventually even installing a scarecrow—leaving the animals with no hope of getting a bite. Sylvia, however, has her own unique approach, which leads to an unexpected breakthrough. At a crucial moment, she steps forward and uses the silvery trail of slime she leaves behind to "write" the words "please" and "thank you" in the soil, politely asking the gardener for food. Touched by this gentle request, the gardener responds by providing a full basket of produce, allowing all the animals to enjoy a hearty feast—all while Sylvia takes great care not to trample a single seedling.
Through the experiences of this tiny creature, the story teaches children that there is more than one way to solve a problem, and that a gentle, sincere request is often far more effective than taking things by force or stealth. Along the way, the book also introduces children to the habits of slugs and the vital importance of a garden’s ecosystem.