A lovely story with great illustrations. This is a traditional Japanese tale about a poor coupel who wish for a child and get a snail instead. The snail, of course, is magical and helps his mother and father. The leader of the town is so impressed by the creature that he gives one of his daughters to him to marry. His youngest daughter agrees and they are happy together and bring his parents wealth as well. Eventually Tsubu becomes human through the love of his wife. This is a great book to teach how to love someone because of what is on the inside,rather than what is on the outside. It shows that it is good deeds and behavior are what make you a good person, not how you look.