Frank and Lucky Get Schooled

Reviewed by: Mary Peverada - Portland Public Library, Portland, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: January 17, 2017

Review

Frank has a bad day until he meets Lucky at the shelter and rescues him. This is the story of a boy and his dog and their loving relationship. Together they learn a lot - Lucky went to school 10 times and Frank went to school thousands of times. But their learning doesn't stop at school. Lucky loves science and enjoys the natural world immensely - he sees a squirrel ("can I catch it"), a bee ("can I eat it") and a mud puddle ("does it feel good"). Lucky even helps Frank learn about science - botany and entomology from the burrs and ticks he needs to pick off his dog, chemistry as he searches for the best way to get rid of skunk odor, astronomy as they are forced outside because of the odor, math - infinity the number of biscuits that Lucky could eat and percentages to figure bed requirements for boy and dog. They look at reading, history, art and geography - but best of all they share the whole world with each other. The watercolor illustrations are expressive and the thought bubbles are perfectly placed. This book is funny, entertaining, clever and informative. It is a positive treat!

Overall Book Score: excellent