Lucky is a dynamic new picture book by Amelia Tonta (formerly publishing as Amelia Mcinerney) and illustrated by Peter Baldwin. It is an imaginative and laugh-out-loud celebration of optimism in the face of chaos. The story follows young Frankie, who makes a birthday wish for a puppy, and gets her wish. But her new furry friend sets off a domino effect with disasters spiralling increasingly out of control. Lucky Frankie can always see the bright side of the situation!

When Frankie’s new puppy pees in her lap, she luckily has a spare pair of pants on hand, thanks to a gift from Aunt Ruth. But the pants are too long and Frankie trips over, setting Samantha the snake loose from her cage. Luckily, Samantha’s just been fed, so she shouldn’t be hungry, unless…

This story has built in page turns, and the extreme rhythm of ‘There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly’ (without the death). While the situations are outlandish, the world in which they take place is entirely relatable for children, with friends, neighbours, a vet, and the fire brigade tearing around the suburban neighbourhood to save the day. The illustration style is full of movement, with particularly fun facial expressions to be read on the bit players, like Samantha. Through it all, Frankie’s unwavering positivity shines, making her a plucky (if not lucky) protagonist that young readers will cheer for.

The book’s pacing and visual gags make it an ideal read-aloud for children 4+, encouraging laughter and resilience. Extension activities could include discussing who young readers might approach for help in case of an emergency, or progressive storytelling games that include ramping up the extremes with each new line.

Affirm Press 2025.

Amelia Mcinerney

Peter Baldwin

Lara Cain Gray is the author of The Grown-Ups Guide to Picture Books