The Last Alchemist — Colin Thompson

Long ago in a kingdom far away, Spinifix, the king's alchemist, labored in the dank cellar of the castle to find the secret of turning base metals into gold. The king had promised to share the wealth with Spinifix if he could produce gold before the Millenium. As the Millenium approached, Spinifix became obsessed with his quest for gold. Meanwhile, his young apprentice tried to open Spinifix's eyes to the richness of their kingdom--fields of golden flowers, goldfish in the rivers, the burnished orange sun--to no avail. The young apprentice knows that true gold--and the happiness it brings--lies within one's heart. With illustrations lush with the intricate detail that has become his trademark, Colin Thompson's fans will delight in searching out the critters and graphic surprises hidden no the pages of this medieval fantasy tale.