All reviews are listed under each individual title.
POETRY REVIEWS & TV , Publication Interviews
— Bold Journey, August 6, 2024
Bold Journey is an online publication dedicated to the art of storytelling. They invited Doug to share his unique journey and story.
https://boldjourney.com/meet-doug-snelson/.
— Pickleball Poetry: Fun and Whimsical Verses to Dink About
SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV) – For pickleball enthusiast Doug Snelson of Bluffton, his love for the game has gone above just dinking around the court,
he’s actually written a book about it. It’s called Pickleball Poetry: Fun and Whimsical Verses to Dink About.
To learn more about his passion for the sport and how he came up with all those poems, we just had to meet him. We hope you enjoy our interview!
https://www.wsav.com/shows/the-bridge/pickleball-poetry-written-by-local-player/
— Pickler’s Pickleball Blog
From Doubles to Couplets: Pickleball Poetry is Here.
“The humor in it is a humor of recognition. He coyly makes some observations that will ring true to many players… It’s a breezy collection that can be read in a single setting. Think of it more as a pleasant dessert than a full meal.”
“I hope this book makes every pickleball player smile,” Snelson wrote in the book’s introduction. “As in life, always play the soft game, be patient, laugh a lot and paddle click.” https://thepickler.com/blogs/pickleball-blog/pickleball-poetry.
— Laughter Includes the Word: Revealed, A Life of Poetry
“The poet is carving his own path through language in surprising ways that are idiosyncratic, wickedly playful, and ‘twisty.’”
—Neeli Cherkovski, award-winning poet, author, and memoirist
“We experience poems from over five decades, we see a man grow, change, and yet in many ways stay the same. Laughter Includes the Word is an inspirational collection of poetry certainly, but it’s strength comes in the pleasure it grants. That pleasure arises in allowing everyday actions and objects to be foregrounded in plain language letting the poet-speaker and reader a moment in revelry.”
—Daniel Casey, Misanthropester.com
CHILDREN’S BOOK REVIEWS
Everybody Deserves a Hug
“This picture book by a father-daughter team features adorable monsters sharing friendly hugs. As furry and multihued monsters demonstrate warm embraces, the rhyming narration defines hugs as “a loving squeeze, an inward tug.” No matter what size or age, no matter the season, the narrator continues, everyone wants to be held sometimes. The poem goes on to describe different types of positive actions: helping a young child to stand, cuddling in a group, sharing a smile or laugh, showing what makes each individual unique, being respectful, needing to cry, and even letting people have their own space. The inclusion of the last is an important balance to an otherwise high-contact work, especially for youngsters who may not like hugs as much as their peers. Renée Snelson’s cartoonish monsters all have long eyelashes, heart-shaped noses, shaggy fur in a wide variety of beautifully tinted colors, and expressive tails. The dynamic images show plenty of action as well as an assortment of loving embraces.
Lap cuddlers listening to this sweet read-aloud will get all the snuggles they need.”
—Kirkus Reviews
“Author and illustrator have struck a wonderful energy throughout the story, elevating the narrative while honoring young readers’ affinity to story and/or images. Especially with kids on the spectrum, this story gently reinforces good messaging and provides sensory awareness within the drawings here. Very well done. Lots of successful layers in this book. I would add this to my list of young reader books perfect for gift-giving.”
—Judge, 29th Annual Writer’s Digest Self-Published Book Awards.
"Everybody Deserves a Hug" delivers a timeless, universal message in a rhyming picture book for children ages 4-8. In the tradition of Dr. Seuss, the author/storyteller Doug Snelson, embraces love, kindness, inclusion and understanding just when the world needs it most. Doug collaborated with his artist/illustrator/designer daughter, Renee Snelson, who created the colorful, whimsical characters exuding sweetness, joy, and hope. The engaging rhyming couplets amplify the vivid and striking color illustrations that will undoubtedly delight children, parents, and grandparents alike. Especially recommended for family, daycare center, preschool, elementary school, and community library picture book collections, "Everybody Deserves a Hug" is also an excellent classroom teaching tool for primary school grades and home-schooling parents for improving children's reading skills from repetitive rhyming patterns and phrasing.”
—Midwest Book Review
The Fable of the Snake Named Slim
Deftly written in a rhythmic text by Douglas Snelson and charmingly illustrated by Renee Snelson, "The Fable of the Snake Named Slim" is a poignant picture book tale told in the style of a fable featuring animals and entertainingly conveying a moral for children. Young readers will meet Slim, a snake that wobbles instead of wiggles and they will discover that being different can make the difference that matters most. "The Fable of the Snake Named Slim" is a memorable tale of courage and individuality, of self-discovery and self-worth. Young readers can relate to and will be captivated by as they learn that it's what makes you different that makes you special. "The Fable of the Snake Named Slim" supports social awareness, social emotional learning, interpersonal skills, and character education programs, including anti-bullying, to establish and maintain positive relationships. Strongly recommended for family, elementary school, and community library picture book collections.
—Midwest Book Review
Who’s Got the Face?
“It was our extreme pleasure to have you as a guest author in our primary school last month. You displayed such positive, flexible energy when planning with us to organize the workshops with our 300+ students that we knew the day would turn out as fantastic as it did!
The small group approach with our students demonstrated your clear understanding of the developmental ages of the audience. The sessions were not only lots of fun but cleverly embedded with strong lessons in ELA and Writing Workshop!”
—Literacy Coach, Hudson Public Schools
Doug’s Book Awards
Book Excellence Award
Honorable Mention - London Book Festival - Early Development
Moms Choice Award - Gold and Silver - Growing Up/Personal Development
New York City Big Book Award - Poetry
Pinnacle Achievement Award - Gold