Back of Book: 

Join Crab and Snail in the surf zone, where they think deep thoughts and have unforgettable seaside adventures, in this graphic early reader series debut by  New York Times  bestselling author Beth Ferry and beloved illustrator Jared Chapman. The never-ending rain is putting a damper on Crab and Snail’s plans for a sunny, funny day. So when the BBFs (Best Beach Friends) realize that it’s only raining on them, they put their heads together and consult one know-it-all gull (he really does know it all!) to get to the bottom of it. By the time the rain clears, the duo will have made a new friend and learned something new and wonderful about friendship! Crab and Snail are everyone’s next favorite characters in the graphic early reader space. 

Book Number: One

Genre: Middle Grade | Graphic Novel 

Review: 🌟🌟🌟

A goofy and sweet graphic novel meant for young readers who love the ocean. 

Crab and Snail are best beach friends and they'd do anything to make more friends. This book follows the two besties as they try to befriend an invisible whale. The action of this book is fairly minimal and most of the book is filled with the banter between Crab and Snail and the other sea creatures that live in the surf zone. The book is filled to the brim with facts about different aquatic life and could end up being rather informative to a young reader who hasn't learned these facts from other places. 

I think the highlight of this one for me is the art style. It is fun, bubbly, and really goofy. Neither the crab or the snail are very realistic, but the way they are drawn brings out the eccentric natures and carefree attitudes. 

Overall, "Crab & Snail: The Invisible Whale" is a simple and sweet graphic novel that I could see many children eating up. It is a super quick read and I'm interested enough in them to keep reading the rest of the books (due to the fact that my library owns them). I think this series would be a great introduction into the world of graphic novels for very young readers. 

Back of Book: 

Crab and Snail set out on a mission to be cooler than cool in their second unforgettable seaside adventure in the graphic early reader series by New York Times bestselling author Beth Ferry and beloved illustrator Jared Chapman. 

Starfish is pointy-perfect, so wow to the wow! And her tidal pool is filled with friends and fun things. But Crab and Snail weren’t invited. While the best beach friends do everything they can to catch Starfish’s attention and score an invite, they begin to realize that being kind just might be the coolest of cool. Crab and Snail are everyone’s new favorite characters in the graphic early reader space.

Book Number: Two 

Genre: Middle Grade | Graphic Novels 

Review: 🌟🌟

I didn't enjoy this one as nearly as much of the first one. It has pretty much the exact same plot (Crab and Snail see someone that they want to hang out with and try to befriend them), but this one felt much more judgey. Crab and Snail assumed that the Starfish didn't want to hang out with them because they weren't cool enough. I feel that this could be misinterpreted, especially by young readers and it rubbed me the wrong way.

One of the things that surprised me was how many things it referenced from "The Invisible Whale." I honestly thought that these books weren't going to be connected at all, but they were. The Know-It-All Gull returns, as does Isabel the Invisible Whale, and the Barnacle Bros. This book was much the same as the first, but hopefully that means the books are going to continue to build on each other.

Overall, "The Tidal Pool of Cool" wasn't horrible, but it wasn't as great as the first one. Now, it's time to meet the eel that was alluded to in book three.

Back of Book: 

Crab must save Snail from Evil Eel’s curse in their third unforgettable seaside adventure in the graphic early reader series by  New York Times  bestselling author Beth Ferry and illustrator Jared Chapman. The Evil Eel is so evil that making narwhals cry is one of her favorite hobbies. So evil in fact that just one sting turns friendly, sweet Snail into…Snevil!!!! Complete with a black cape, Snevil sets out to destroy everything in her path, including Crab. In order to save himself—and his best friend—Crab must become a hero. Will he be able to stop evil from destroying the splash zone before it's too late? Crab and Snail are everyone’s new favorite characters in the graphic early reader space.

Book Number: Three

Genre: Middle Grade | Graphic Novel

Review: 🌟🌟🌟🌟

Okay, this one was actually pretty solid. It has a different story than the other two, so we are moving on, which is good. In this book, Crab and Snail meet an Evil Eel which ends up turning Snail into an evil villain named Snevil. 

It was fun to read the comic book style heroes vs villain fight that ensued in this one. It actually had me laughing out loud a couple of times because it is that silly and fun. I feel that the relationship with Isabel and the Know-It-All Gull are evolving and that the new characters introduced in this one are quite interesting. 

Overall, "The Evil Eel" is the highlight of the "Crab & Snail" books so far. I found that it is more action-filled, the illustrations are goofier, and it has a better set-up for future books than book two did.