Snail’s birthday wish to see the sun set over the ocean gets an assist from an unexpected friend in a sweet Petr Horácêk story set in a natural world glowing with deeply saturated colors.

It’s Snail’s birthday, and he decides he wants to see the sun set by the sea, which is a long way away. Soon he meets Mouse, who’s going in the same direction and offers to carry Snail on her back. “That’s what friends are for,” says Mouse. Then Snail runs into Frog, who takes him hopping another part of the distance. Snail is so tired by then that he climbs up on a large rock to rest, sad that he may not make it to the sea in time. But when he opens his eyes again, there it is: a brilliant sunset, right in front of him! “How did I get here?” wonders Snail, exclaiming at the sunset’s beauty. Could that be the voice of Tortoise below him, chiming in to agree? With a rich palette and a gentle narrative, picture book creator Petr Horácêk pays quiet tribute to friendship, kindness, and the wonders of nature—and, of course, special birthday wishes.