A Surprise for Snail

by Petr Horáček

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.

Genres: Picture Books, Friendship, Animals, Storytime

32 pages, Hardcover

Published June 30, 2026

About the author

Petr Horáček is the author-illustrator of Look Out, Suzy Goose and Silly Suzy Goose, as well as Run, Mouse, Run!; Bird, Fly High; A New House for Mouse; and Strawberries Are Red. He lives in England.

Reviews

[Miss Janis the Storytime Lady · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love his illustrations, and the books are always a really solid ST choice. Animals and colors and actions and emotions.

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well this is the 28th title by Pete that I have read, so it really is needless to say that I like his work for the vibrant colors he uses in his illustrations. I was particularly enamored in this title with the spiral perspective depicted in the illustrations as a snail is a small creature and the scale of size compared to the three helping friends is spot on as well as the scale with the dandelion. Plus I loved the fact the illustrations were done from the eye level of the grass! Illustrations were done in mixed media.

[Melanie Hetrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's Snail's birthday and he would really like to see the sunset over the ocean. He has far to travel and he's not a fast mover. Along the way Snail gets help from friends Mouse, Frog and Tortoise. Without their help Snail would never have made it in time to see the sunset over the ocean.

Recommended for storytime.

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

My 8 year old liked that the animals helped snail in their own way and that the tortoise did take him to see the sunset.

[Colorado Buck · Rating 4 out of 5]

he is celebrating his birthday and falls asleep on the turtle's back and ends up where he wanted to go for his birthday surrounded by friends - cute read.