The Amazing Trail of Seymour Snail

Seymour has always dreamed of being a great artist. But he's shy about showing his artwork and, being a snail, he's slow. Who will hire him?When Seymour finds a job at the Speedy Arts Gallery, he is thrilled until he finds himself sliming envelopes shut and delivering packages. Well, even great artists have to start somewhere. And who knows? Seymour's big break might be just around the corner!

LYNN E. HAZEN writes books for children of all ages. She lives in San Francisco, California.

DOUG CUSHMAN has illustrated many books for young readers and written a bunch, too, including the Aunt Eater series. He lives in Paris, France.

Chapter One

 

Today's the Day

 

Seymour woke up in a happy mood. He took a puddle bath. He did his morning stretches, nibbled his leafy greens, and drank a bit of dew.

 

Seymour looked out his window. He felt inspired, so he painted a few pictures Then he checked his calendar. "Oh goody," said Seymour. "My friends are visiting today."

 

He looked around his leafy home. "Uh-oh," he said. "I'd better hide my paintings."

 

Seymour hoped to be a great artist someday. But he felt shy about showing his work.

 

So he hid his puddle paintings under the sofa. He stashed his leaf prints behind a lamp. But how could he hide his big mud sculptures?

 

"Hmm," said Seymour. "I have an idea!"

 

He covered one sculpture with a tablecloth and a pot of flowers. He covered the other one with a hat. Seymour oozed back to see how it looked.

 

"I hope no one notices," he said.

 

Ding dong.

 

"Wow," said Seymour. "My friends are here."

 

Seymour chatted with Roly Poly, Lady Bug, and Cricket. They had a lovely time until a big gust of wind blew in.

 

Excerpted from The Amazing Trail of Seymour Snail by Lynn E.Hazen

 

Copyright © 2009 by Lynn E.Hazen

 

Published in 2009 Henry Holt and Company, LLC

 

All rights reserved. This work is protected under copyright laws and reproduction is strictly prohibited. Permission to reproduce the material in any manner or medium must be secured from the Publisher.