Wilbur, a boy transfixed by a story about a lost golden snail, decides to embark on his own search. Legend has it that the snail was captured by a Grand Enchanter, put under a spell and banished to The Ends of the Earth. Only the recitation of a magical verse will allow another person to become the Grand Enchanter of the snail. On his journey, Wilbur tries to be a proper Grand Enchanter but ends up doing more helping than conquering, and when he finds the Golden Snail, he decides to set him free. He ends up stranded himself, but all his good karma saves him and he is rewarded. There is an abrupt transition from reality to fantasy, and the epic language could be a stretch for younger readers. Still, the book is chock-full of Base’s bold, vibrant images and features fanciful locations like The Maze of Madness and the Spiral Isles. It also includes a mini version of Wilbur’s book, a map and a challenge to find the hidden “snail and crossbones” in each picture. Lots to mull over for future sea adventurers. (Picture book. 4-7)
