Fortunately

Remy Charlip (1964), 40 pages

Audience: Pre-K

Format: picture book

“Fortunately one day, Ned got a letter that said, ‘please come to a surprise party.’ Unfortunately the party was in Florida and he was in New York. Fortunately a friend loaned him an airplane.” Can you guess what happened next? Well, don’t be so sure …. every other page will keep you on the edge of your seat! As this adventure unfolds, readers can follow along as Ned faces a series of lucky and unlucky coincidences … but, don’t worry this story happens to end on a high note! Throughout the book, Charlip cleverly alternates between fortunate and unfortunate situations resulting in a very exciting and imaginative storyline. Charlip’s illustrations further highlight each opposing scenario by alternating between colorful illustrations (emphasizing the fun, friendly, positive nature of fortune) and gray tones that accentuate the unfortunate circumstances. A very witty twist on the world of opposites, children will love the fanciful and haphazard life Ned leads.

Reviewed by: Katharine Quinn, SJSU MLIS Student

If you liked this book, you may like: What's Up Duck?: A Book of Opposites by Tad Hills or That’s Good! That’s Bad! by Margaret Cuyler

Other books by this author: Thirteen, A Perfect Day, Where is Everybody? and Hooray For Me!