Lucky Me - by Lawrence Schimel (Hardcover)

About the Book

Bruno's friend Sanjay has his own room and a pet iguana. Bruno's brother, Mateo, who is visually impaired, has a dog named Rocco who helps him get around, and Mateo is a fantastic storyteller. Bruno doesn't have a pet, and he has to share his room, but he still feels like the luckiest of all to have such a great brother and amazing friend.

Book Synopsis

★"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." -- School Library Journal

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.

From the Back Cover

Maybe everyone is lucky in their own way.

Bruno's friend Sanjay is lucky: he has a pet iguana and a room to himself. And Bruno's visually impaired brother, Mateo, is lucky: he has a dog who helps him get around and he can read in the dark with his fingertips. Bruno has to share his room and he doesn't have a pet...but he realizes he has lots of reasons to feel lucky too.

Review Quotes

"At a time when examples of conflict and self-promotion are so readily available, Lucky Me offers an endearing image of brotherly kindness and affection."

"Schimel challenges readers to consider others and their differing situations. He encourages children to not see disabilities as deficits, but as having their advantages and every individual being lucky in their own way. This book is a must-have for any household or classroom seeking to promote awareness and acceptance."

"Lucky Me is an outstanding book to help children empathize with people with any form of disability and understand that a disability does not need to limit an individual's freedom, achievements, or enjoyment of life. Highly Recommended."

★"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."

About the Author

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.