The TTLG 2011 Picture Book Celebration - Book One hundred!

This is the one hundredth picture book review for the TTLG 2011 Picture Book Celebration! Just as I expected, this journey has been, for the most part, a very interesting and enjoyable one. I have reviewed some fabulous books and have met some wonderful authors and illustrators. Of course there are those times when writing a picture book review every single day can be a bit of a trial - on occasion. You could say that doing this projects has its ups and its downs, though the downs are of very little consequence.
   Todays picture book is full of ups and downs as fortunate and unfortunate situations fill the pages. The story offers readers a singular and often amusing reading experience.

Fortunately, unfortunately

Michael Foreman

Picture Book

For ages 5 to 8

Andersen Press USA, 2011, 978-0-7613-7460-2

   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.