Lucky Me
by Lawrence Schimel (Author) Juan Camilo Mayorga (Illustrator)
Bruno's home is a bit different, but he wouldn't trade it for the world.
Bruno's friend Sanjay is lucky: He doesn't have to share his room (well, except with a pet iguana), and he can leave his toy soldiers all over the house. And Bruno's brother, Mateo, who is visually impaired, is pretty lucky too: He has a dog named Rocco who helps him get around. Plus, Mateo can keep reading after dark by using just his fingers (while Bruno has to use a flashlight). Still, Bruno has it pretty good. He can leave his bed a total mess. He can play dinosaurs with Sanjay and his iguana. And he can listen to Mateo's made-up adventure stories (Mateo is a great storyteller). If he had to compare, he'd say he was the luckiest of all to have such a great friend and great brother.
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School Library Journal
Gr 1-4--This spectacular story is about a boy's appreciation of his older brother who is visually impaired. The story revolves around Bruno and his friend Sanjay describing the fun ways they play together and the rules they don't have to follow at Sanjay's house. Things are different at Bruno's house because of Mateo, his visually impaired brother. Everything always has to be put back in exactly the same place. The author intentionally doesn't let readers know why things are different until more than halfway through the book. Bruno describes all Mateo's positive qualities and how lucky he is to have him as a brother and friend. Young readers will want to go over the beginning again once they know about Mateo's needs. The illustrations use a warm palette with contemporary sketches setting a calm and reflective mood. End materials include a brief history of Braille and the Braille alphabet. The Spanish edition was an IBBY Outstanding Book for Young People with Disabilities. VERDICT This book stands out with its sensitive and positive portrayal of a visually impaired character and the normalized support of others. An essential purchase for all libraries.--Heidi Dechief
Copyright 2023 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.Review quotes
Lawrence Schimel writes in both Spanish and English and has published over 120 books as author or anthologist in a wide range of genres, including fiction, poetry, graphic novels and children's literature. He has twice won a Lambda Literary Award and has also won a Crystal Kite Award from the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators and a White Raven from the International Youth Library in Munich. Three of his books have been chosen for IBBY's Outstanding Books for Young People with Disabilities. Lawrence is also a prolific literary translator. He lives in Madrid, where he founded the Spanish chapter of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators and served as Regional Advisor for five years.
Juan Camilo Mayorga is a graphic designer who graduated from the Universidad Nacional de Colombia, where he developed a special interest in illustration and art. He currently lives in a small town near Bogotá named Zipaquirá, where he develops his work as an illustrator of various editorial projects, such as picture books and illustrations for magazines, which have been published in Colombia, other countries in Latin America, and Europe.
JUV039150 - Juvenile Fiction | Social Themes | Special Needs
JUV013070 - Juvenile Fiction | Family | Siblings
Picture books
Brothers
Blind children
