Through the Looking Glass Children's Book Reviews
Fortunately, Unfortunately
Picture Book
For ages 5 to 8
Andersen Press USA, 2011 ISBN: 978-0761374602
One day Milo’s mother asks him to go to Granny’s house to return her umbrella. It is a lovely day outside and Milo’s Granny always has cake to eat, so Milo is more than happy to return the umbrella. Unfortunately, it starts to rain, but since Milo has Granny’s umbrella with him, he does not get wet.
Milo is so busy holding the umbrella over his head so that he doesn’t get wet, that he does not pay attention to where he is going, and he falls off a cliff. Luckily, the umbrella serves as an excellent parachute, but unluckily Milo lands in the open mouth of a whale and he is swallowed.
Fortunately, Granny’s umbrella floats very well and Milo can use it as a boat. Unfortunately, Milo is not the only thing the whale has swallowed. There is a pirate ship full of pirates in there as well!
In this clever picture book, Michael Foreman takes his readers on a singular adventure that is full of fortunate and unfortunate events. Though Milo does face some situations that are not altogether welcome, on the whole his adventure is a wonderfully positive experience. Children will love the ending, which leaves one wondering what might happen next.
