Jeremy, the English Garden Snail - (Children's Animal Book) by Darcy Pattison (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

2026 Best STEM Book

2026 NSTA Outstanding Science Trade Book

Clear, informative, and quite fascinating. Kirkus Reviews

In a charming garden of London, a tiny hero emerges - Jeremy, a garden snail with a remarkable difference. Most snail shells coil right, but Jeremy's shell spirals to the left, making him a one-in-a-million wonder. That small difference will catapult him to fame, as scientists and snail enthusiasts rally to help him find a mate. Written by award-winning author Darcy Pattison and beautifully illustrated by Olga Gonina, this engaging story follows Jeremy's journey from a humble compost heap to international stardom.

When Dr. Angus Davison, a geneticist at the University of Nottingham, learns about Jeremy, he sees an opportunity to unravel the mysteries of genetics and body symmetry. But there's a snail-sized problem - Jeremy needs a left-coiled partner to mate with! What follows is a heartwarming tale of citizen science, as Dr. Davison launches the #snaillove campaign, reaching out to people worldwide to help find Jeremy a mate.

This book is more than just a cute story about a snail looking for love. It's an elementary introduction to the world of heredity, inheritance, and scientific research, all wrapped up in an accessible story.

This charming picture book is ideal for:

Children aged 5-10 who are curious about nature and science

Classroom read-alouds and science units on genetics or invertebrates

Inspiring young girls and boys to pursue interests in STEM fields

The included backmatter provides additional information about garden snails, citizen science projects, and a glossary of scientific terms.

CHILDREN'S ANIMAL BOOK SERIES

Bird. Mammal. Marine Mammal. Spider. Amphibian. Reptile. Gastropod.

This series includes the story of the oldest bird in the world, a spider in space, an orphaned puma cub, a bullfrog with a world-record leap, the poignant story of saving a species from extinction, the dolphin who inspired a government to protect him, and a humble snail who teaches us to observe.

The series is much more than just an introduction to the animal kingdom. It chronicles the story of how humans interact with animals in various ways: how we enjoy, challenge, admire, endanger, and save them. It's a fabulous series for kids to learn about the amazing and extraordinary complexity of animals.

• Wisdom, the Midway Albatross: Surviving the Japanese Tsunami and Other Disasters for Over 60 Years, Starred Publisher's Weekly review
• Abayomi, the Brazilian Puma: The True Story of an Orphaned Cub, 2015 NSTA Outstanding Science Trade Book
• Nefertiti, the Spidernaut: The Jumping Spider Who Learned to Hunt in Space, 2017 NSTA Outstanding Science Trade Book
• Rosie the Ribeter: The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County
• Diego, the Giant Galapagos Tortoise: Saving a Species from Extinction, Starred Kirkus Review
• Pelorus Jack, the New Zealand Dolphin: Inspiring a Government to Protect an Individual Animal
• Jeremy, the English Garden Snail: Heredity, Citizen Science, and #snaillove

Review Quotes

Clear, informative, and quite fascinating. Kirkus Reviews