LitPick Review
Frannie and Willie look forward to their summertime visits at Aunt Bea’s cottage. When they arrive, they are greeted with a smile from good friend Miss Minnie and Aunt Bea’s delicious treats. With the promise of the best game they’ll ever play, the children roll colored stones hoping to find good fortune. Aunt Bea is hopeful that the children find value in her special game and encourages each of them to share what they’ve learned. From beautiful gardens to flying high in the sky, Frannie and Willie discover their own courage and gratitude, and realize that their good fortune is wherever they want it to be.
Opinion:
The Good Fortune reminds readers young and old to find joy in everyday experiences. The illustrations are colorful and slightly abstract. While the illustrations are captivating, there were several places that did not match the descriptions in the text. For instance, when visiting the botanical garden, Frannie explains there are colorful birds and yellow daffodils, both of which are missing from the illustration. I felt a bit of a disconnect between the exposition and the events that followed. Additionally, the resolution seemed to come quickly and left me wanting a bit more of a story. Shawana Davenport uses imaginative settings to encourage children to find joy in their good fortunes and opens the door to conversations about gratitude. Frannie and Willie learn that no matter where they are, they can always find good fortune.
