Lucky Leaf (Rise and Shine) - Softcover

Starred Review. Kindergarten-Grade 3–A boy and his faithful dog are forced to play outside by a mother who doesn't understand that using a video game is playing. Once there, the unhappy youngster finds two of his friends who are in the same situation. A game of trying to catch the last leaf on a tree, the lucky leaf, ensues. Done in pen and ink and colored in PhotoShop, the illustrations feature crisp, vibrant colors that create a vivid setting. The bright blues of the sky and rust of the leaves evoke a perfect fall day. The story is told through spare, but effective, dialogue presented in speech bubbles. The visual antics of the dog and a squirrel add to the fun. In fact, the squirrel just may be the key to acquiring the lucky leaf. The book ends just where it began–the boy once again glued to his video game–with one small addition: the lucky leaf is perched jauntily on his head. This lighthearted tale is a good choice for one-on-one sharing or for independent readers.–Catherine Callegari, San Antonio Public Library, TX
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