The Snurtch, a fun book for kids about their id, ego and behavior

What is a Snurtch? A Snurtch is that (id) inside all of us that does the opposite of what we should. My adult Snurtch makes snide or sarcastic comments when they’re not needed. Thankfully the adult version of my Snurtch is rarely seen. For children though their Snurtch is seen on a daily basis and that is the premise behind The Snurtch. The book follows Ruthie, a typical first grade student who likes school, but has a problem with her Snurtch when she’s there.

It’s rude, doesn’t share anything, pushes other kids, burps and does anything to ensure that Ruthie is the center of attention-even if it’s negative.

The Snurtch is the modern day equivalent to ‘Not Me’ that was often seen in The Family Circus. ‘Not Me’ would leave a door open, break a glass jar or do something that a typical kid does. Mom, who is out of the illustrated circle would ask who did it and Billy would say “Not me”, while a ghost figure wearing a ‘not me’ shirt is beside him.

Ruthie’s Snurtch is like that but much more rude. It’s especially rude in art class when she’s sitting next to George, who has produced a first grade masterpiece. The teacher asks if anyone wants to share their work and before George can raise his hand the Snurtch rears itself from Ruthie’s shadow and crumples up his art. If only life were that simple and we could blame things on our Snurtch.

But it’s not, and that is the point of The Snurtch. It’s a book aimed at kids 4-8 who have these irrational thoughts and haven’t learned how to manage their emotions. As the parent to a first grader I can testify that the struggle is real.

Our young student likes The Snurtch. Some parents might be concerned that their child might then intentionally do bad things just to blame them on their imaginary character. That didn’t happen with us and it won’t happen with you either. Ruthie goes too far in the book, gets in trouble with her teacher and then learns her lesson.

Fun fact: kids who are not the first born are known to have a snurtch that is more difficult to contain.

The art in The Snurtch is one that kids and parents will enjoy. It looks like it’s drawn with pencils and has the real children drawn with strong lines and greater detail; while everyone’s snurtch is scribbled in as if  a very skilled child did it. Most importantly, as any good children’s book should do, it entertains while teaching a lesson. Children will relate to it due to the fact that the book gives them a physical manifestation of their fears and insecurities.  It’s also fun to read J

The Snurtch is written by Sean Ferrell and has art by Charles Santoso