The Family Business by Ken Lamug, Lenore Appelhans
Published by HarperCollins on July 19, 2022
ISBN: 0062898868
Pages: 40
Genres: Humor
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads

Lucky is a raccoon, and he’s finally big enough to participate in the family business. Turns out though, the family business is stealing food and things from other people. Lucky doesn’t like this at all, and he’s determined to make a change. When some kids make a video of Lucky dancing, the new family business takes off. Lucky’s video goes viral, and now he’s asked to dance wherever they go. His dancing brings joy to people, but they also give Lucky and his family food and all the things they used to steal.

This book is trying to have a good message, but it’s trying too hard. The story isn’t all that engaging, and the reliance on viral social media to bring the raccoon family what they need and want helps the message to miss the mark. The digital illustrations are colorful and do add to the story but not enough to save it. Recommended for readers 4 and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME