The Snail and the Whale is a 2003 children's picture book written by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Axel Scheffler. It won the 2004 Early Years award for the best pre-school book, the 2005 Blue Peter award for Best Book to Read Aloud, and the 2007 Giverny award for Best Science Picture Book. The Snail and the Whale has also been adapted into an unabridged audiobook, a stage play and translated into British Sign Language. In 2019, a short film based on the book was released. Everyone, including the local firemen rushed to the beach and they all began spraying the whale to keep him cool while some of the children dug around him to provide water from under the sand. Then the tide came in and much to everyone's relief the whale, complete with snail on its tail, took to the water once more. The snail the whale meet loads of different animals during their travels and we’ve got some printables which are perfect for some of those that they come into with including this free penguin template and this free shark template. This precipitates an epic journey that sees the snail and the whale in icy seas, observing mountains and golden sands on the shore, under the sea admiring the sea-life, surviving a thunderstorm and avoiding pleasure seekers in a holiday resort. On 6 November 2018, it was announced that BBC One and Magic Light Pictures would bring audiences The Snail and the Whale for Christmas 2019. The music is supplied by French composer and musician Rene Aubry, [4] and the animation was provided by Triggerfish Animation Studios. [5] The 26-minute production aired on BBC One at 2:30pm on 25 December 2019, [6] and again at 2:05pm on 1 January 2020. It was released on DVD on 10 February 2020 in the United Kingdom.

I love seeing what kids really have enjoyed making and these model magic snail and whale’s from 3 Dinosaurs are a great example of something creative made at home.We love sharing free printable templates (because free is always a good thing, right?) and what better way to start off than with this whale template. There’s two different designs and lots of ideas for ways to use the templates too or of course you can always use it as a coloring sheet, just grab the markers or colored pencils. We have a free snail template with three different designs too! The pair endured thunderstorms and zigzag lightning and the snail was amazed by everything she encountered and everything she saw and when she gazed at the sky, the sea, the land and the waves she was often heard to say, 'I feel so small.' One of my television songs, A SQUASH AND A SQUEEZE, was made into a book in 1993, with illustrations by the wonderful Axel Scheffler. It was great to hold the book in my hand without it vanishing in the air the way the songs did. This prompted me to unearth some plays I’d written for a school reading group, and since then I’ve had 20 plays published. Most children love acting and it’s a tremendous way to improve their reading.

Before Malcolm and I had our three sons we used to go busking together and I would write special songs for each country; the best one was in Italian about pasta. This paper plate orca from Crafts on Sea can easily have it’s colors changed to become more like the whale in the tale. The audiobook with an accompanying audio cassette, is narrated by English voice actor Imelda Staunton, while the audiobook with an accompanying compact disc is narrated by Scottish voice actor David Tennant. As well as loads of The Snail and The Whale craft ideas you’ll find some fun educational activities and resources as well so you can choose the activities that are best suited to your kids age and interests. This CD snail from Arty Crafty Kids is the perfect excuse to use up old CDs or DVDs that you have at home.I love this Snail and The Whale sensory bin from Growing Book By Book especially the little whale toy to play with. My real breakthrough was THE GRUFFALO, again illustrated by Axel. We work separately - he’s in London and I’m in Glasgow - but he sends me letters with lovely funny pictures on the envelopes.

I grew up in a tall Victorian London house with my parents, grandmother, aunt, uncle, younger sister Mary and cat Geoffrey (who was really a prince in disguise. Mary and I would argue about which of us would marry him). Tissue paper is one of my favourite craft materials and this tissue paper snail from Fireflies and Mudpies is a great match to make alongside this children’s book.There’s lots of inspiration here with everything from Snail and the Whale teaching ideas to sensory play and from paper plate crafts and origami to measuring activities, reading worksheets and process art – tons of fantastic resources that everyone can enjoy! The book won the Early Years award for the best pre-school book in 2004, the Blue Peter award for Best Book to Read Aloud, 2005, [2] and the Giverny award for Best Science Picture Book 2007. [3] Help your child remember the different parts of the story with this story telling wheel from Rainy Day Mum complete with icebergs, waves and of course our heroes. This book is such a great read with it’s tale of an amazing adventure for the whale and a tiny snail as they travel across the ocean and around the world. It also has gorgeous illustrations by Alex Scheffler and a great use of rhyme telling the story that always keeps kids captivated.

Description: A half hour animated film for all the family based on the much-loved book written by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Axel Scheffler.

Have you seen our paper bag puppets for The Scarecrows Wedding? Perfect for a bit of imaginative play! I studied Drama and French at Bristol University, where I met Malcolm, a guitar-playing medic to whom I’m now married.