by Chris Gall
Note to self: Do not write "snail mail" to actual snails.
Doing so might seem harmless enough, but when Peter Alan caps a perfect day at the beach by tossing a note to his finny friends, they come a-calling:
Where you live is pretty cool. You should come visit us someday. Plus my Mom makes good pies.
The next day finds catfish mowing a lawn, puffer fish as birthday ballons, and an octopus who gives new meaning to bad hair day. It's all in surreal good fun, but little Peter eventually has to disinvite his smelly, slimy visitors.
That's okay -- the story ends with a reciprocal invitation tucked into a conch shell.
Gall hand-engraved the images on clay-coated board, then digitized the color. The result feels straight out of old Art Deco posters, but in a more contemporary palette of autumn tones and ocean hues.
Watch for visual puns on every page: the sea horses at the rodeo, mice running from the catfish, etc. Even the end papers will keep you busy.
Rating: *\*\*\
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