The Snake Who Came to Stay

What do our readers think of The Snake Who Came to Stay? (Generated from the text of reviews of the book)

Children enjoy the funny animal characters, the easy-to-follow story and the chance to read about Polly’s unusual pet holiday home. They especially like the snake and find the short chapters manageable for reading on their own.

What does the Pageticker team say about The Snake Who Came to Stay?

We enjoy this lively, funny early reader, in which Polly’s attempt to run a pet holiday home quickly turns into an entertaining muddle. Short chapters, lively illustrations and a missing-snake mystery make it approachable for children building reading confidence, while the animal chaos offers plenty of chances to discuss responsibility and caring for pets.

Genres

What is The Snake Who Came to Stay about?

Polly sets up a pet holiday home for the summer, welcoming a lively mix of guinea pigs, parrots, and a snake named Doris. Chaos ensues when Doris goes missing, and Polly must find her before she finds the guinea pigs. This delightful tale is filled with humour and adventure, perfect for young readers.

About the author

Julia Donaldson is a much-loved British author who has written many wonderful books for children. She is best known for creating 'The Gruffalo', a story about a clever mouse and a magical creature. Julia often works with illustrator Axel Scheffler to bring her fun and imaginative stories to life.

Discussion ideas around The Snake Who Came to Stay

Polly’s big idea: Why do you think Polly decides to look after other people’s pets, and what does she learn from the experience?

Looking after animals: What do the guinea pigs, parrots and Doris each need to be happy and safe, and how could Polly organise their care?

A lively household: Which pet causes the most trouble, and how would you feel if all these animals came to stay in your home?

When things go wrong: How does Polly deal with Doris going missing, and what might you do in the same situation?

Pets and responsibility: What should someone think about before agreeing to look after a pet during the holidays?