Jeremy, the English Garden Snail: Heredity, Citizen Science, and #snaillove

2026 Outstanding Science Trade Book- NSTA/CBC

2026 Best STEM Book – NSTA/CBC

 

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.




Join Jeremy on his shell-spinning adventure and discover the amazing world of science through the eyes of one extraordinary snail. Jeremy, the English Snail is more than just a book – it's an invitation to explore, question, and fall in love with the marvels of nature and the joys of scientific discovery.