It’s the day before Father’s Day and Langley the snail still has not thought of the perfect gift. His mother reminds him, yet again, that Dad doesn’t care about expense; he would love anything Langley makes. But remembrances of previous years’ homemade gifts stifle his creativity. So, when Buster Squirrel invites him to Mister Pocket’s store, Langley leaps at the opportunity. Well, leaps may be a little strong—he is a snail after all. And in fact, he’s so slow that his friends not only lap him with their fantastical gifts, but the store closes! All is for the best, though, as he imagines the perfect gift on his “snail’s pace” walk home: an invitation to a Father-Son walk through nature. Paparone’s pen, ink and watercolor artwork rounds out the text nicely, adding details and wonderfully illustrating facial expression. Humorous details will keep readers in stitches; the story opens with Langley perusing the newspaper ads atop the toilet, for instance. Would that every father could receive as wonderful a present on Father’s Day. (Picture book. 4-9)
