Lucky by David Mackintosh (2014).
Thanksgiving is around the corner and we’re thinking about two things for the holiday: food and feeling thankful to have what we already have. Perhaps rephrased as feeling lucky about what’s in our lives. Now. This picture book has something to do with that.
Lucky promises to answer the question posed at the beginning. What is Mom going to surprise these two brothers with at dinnertime? What could it be? (Do note that pineapple in the bowl of fruit on the very first page as it comes into play.)
The narrator and his little brother, Leo, come up with plenty of possibilities during their day at school, each more exciting (implausible?) than the last.
Their final hypothesis is the best of all, gently gleaned from a magazine they’re reading in the Nurse’s office. I love the way the power of suggestion works in this book. And the magnitude of jumping to conclusions.
The boys are CONVINCED they’ve won a two week all expenses paid trip to HAWAII, land of volcanoes and grass skirts and fruit. We should all be so LUCKY, no?
They’re wrong. Of course they’re wrong. And there’s disappointment pre-dinner table.
But not for long. Because, in the non-cheesiest way, Mackintosh shows us what the narrator has to be thankful for. He figures out for himself why he’s quite lucky. Already, without the trip to Hawaii.
He’s lucky in the little things and even in that little brother Leo of his.
Mackintosh’s illustrative style is so recognizable. There’s a retro quality. There are real photographs thrown in. And sometimes scribbles. Type that perfectly narrates the visual story in its white spaces. All with a whole lot of playfulness.
David was kind enough to send me a limited edition screenprint to give away to one of you LUCKY readers! And it’s signed! Enter with the Rafflecopter above! (And see the printing process here.)
I’ll contact the randomly chosen winner by email for your mailing address.
(Open to N. America only—sorry about that far-flung international readers! Giveaway ends Monday, November 24. Good luck!)
Thanks to David Mackintosh for images!
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So, pineapples! For anyone dreaming of going to Hawaii for two weeks (expenses paid-hooray!), here are some pineapples instead. The shape, the color, there’s so much bright and happy about a pineapple. They look like they symbolize bounty, no?
Coco Cake Land’s cool-guy pineapple cake! (Stay tuned for a collaboration we’re doing together later this week!)
Studio DIY’s obsession with pineapple produced this pineapple piñata!
Now That’s Pretty made her pineapple lamp out of plastic spoons!
Oh, and It’s Mine Now Blog’s pineapple potato stamp too!
Free, printable black and white pineapple wrapping paper at Whimsey Box.
I love Peachy Vida’s idea of a pineapple flower vase. Out of the box Thanksgiving centerpiece anyone?
I looove fresh pineapple. This year has not been very ‘lucky’ for us, but I am very lucky that I have two great monkeys (okay, kids) and that they get along so well together.
Sarah, that’s what I love about this book. Luckiness in unluckiness! 🙂 Kids getting along is awesome. 🙂
Love the illustrations! And those boys are hilarious! You’ve just made me want to head down to the fridge for some pineapple, something I’m trying to get my son to like. Cheers!
Wow! pineapples everywhere!! I feel pretty lucky to be reading about this book right now! And if I’m real lucky the Mom Person might share some pineapple with me!
I did props for a musical in college that had a pineapple number in it. Meaning I had to buy 8 pineapples and shellac them. Didn’t matter. They were still starting to rot by the time the show closed.
Luckily, I prefer to eat them! 😉
I love pineapple with cottage cheese!
Okay, that’s a crazy coincidence—I read this book for the very first time this morning! And couldn’t stop staring at the Hawaii spread. The woman running on the beach, arms flung wide, giant pineapple looming behind her—that’s genius.
Love all the other pineapples too!
Kismet! That IS a great spread. Thanks for bringing our attention to the pineapple building who deserves it! Personally, I want to be that woman on the beach right now. (Okay, I always want to be her.)
The illustrations are juicy fresh and full of energy. But where is the rafflecopter for the trip to Hawaii? One should not eat the center of the pineapple (Ananas in German), but I can’t remember why. Something to do with the heart. Sweet post – packs a punch!
I want that rafflecopter too. 🙂 I love your comments.
I find pineapples absolutely DELICIOUS, but unfortunately, by girlfriend is allergic to them! I feel bad that she’s unable to experience the goodness!
Boo! (Confession: I’m allergic to pineapple too, at least according to some blood test a few years ago. I enjoy just looking at it.) 🙂
I wrote about Lucky on my blog today. http://mlreads.com/2014/11/20/a-good-yarn/ We loved it.
Feeling lucky I made time to visit your blog tonight. It’s like opening up a present each time I stop by. Thanks for introducing me to the talent of David MacKintosh!
What a lovely thing to say. I appreciate that and your support! Thanks, Ronna! (Also, Mackintosh is really great.)
We have a LUCKY winner and it’s Julie! Thanks to everyone who stopped by and who commented!
Hahahah…I want to go for a 2 week Hawaiian vacay where all I do is sit on the beach reading PICTURE BOOKS like these! 😉
Please take me with you. 🙂