A SURPRISE FOR SNAIL

It’s Snail’s special day!

To celebrate his birthday, Snail wants a new experience: watching the sunset over the sea. “But it’s a long way,” he notes as he sets out. Snail encounters Mouse and, later, Frog, each of whom offers him a faster ride. Their rides prove too swift and bumpy, respectively, so Snail continues on his own despite his slow pace. As the sky gets dimmer, Snail gives up, hoping to see the sunset from (what he believes is) the top of a rock. He’s in fact atop his pal Tortoise, who helps him achieve his goal. This lovely story of persistence and friendship demonstrates how a community can come together to help others. Horácek’s textured mixed-media illustrations are both whimsical (Snail’s shell is colorfully streaked like a painter’s palette) and awe-inspiring (the spreads of the sunset are a bleed of colors both light and dark). The well-paced text is full of repetition and onomatopoeia, making this a natural choice for a read-aloud. Young readers will relate to Snail, who’s bold enough to try something new while also willing to acknowledge his own limitations.

Both sweetly humorous and wise.