Lucky by Christy Mandin
Published by HarperCollins on May 24, 2022
ISBN: 0063047349
Pages: 40
Genres: Animals, Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads

Set under the sea, the illustrations in this picture book are adorable, cute, and colorful. Lucky, a pearl, has her home destroyed when trash is dumped and breaks her shell. However, the message of the book is elusive: Is it a book focusing on ocean pollution or a book about friendship? The theme of ocean pollution is understandable to adults, but not explained enough for young readers; the text and the pictures just don’t work together to tell the whole story As Lucky journeys to find a new shell, readers can see trash in the background; however, when Jim the Jellyfish joins up with Lucky, the story about their friendship moves to the forefront and it becomes less about the pollution of the ocean. In the back, the author’s note provides a good explanation of ocean pollution and the “What You Can Do” page has solid tips for young readers. This book should be considered an additional selection.

Reviewed by Elizabeth Andersen, Dyer Elementary School