Fortunately

As a child this was one of my favorite books I was so excited to find it and get to share this silly story with my grandson

This is the original title, as published in '64. Apparently it was changed in '69 to "What Good Luck..." because the publisher thought the word "fortunately" was too abstract for kids! Thank goodness they changed it back. Anyway, wonderful book - my four year old won't let me go a night without reading it, just as I did with my dad.

I used to go through this book over and over as a kid. I love the alternately plot (fortunately/unfortunately) and the drawings fascinated. I love when he digs through the bottom of the dancefloor!

Ned has been invited to a surprise party in Florida. Unfortunately, Ned lives in New York. So it begins...as Ned travels in an airplane only to have the plane explode as he falls from the sky in a parachute that has a hole in it. Ned is fine. This book is illustrated beautfully and simply. The word "Fortunately" tells the tale of how Ned extricates himself from each unfortunate event. The word "unfortunately" begins the unfortunate event. The fortunate pages are in color and the unfortunate pages in black and white. Of course Ned ultimately ends up at the party. He is never hurt although he comes close. After receiving this book, I read it before sitting down with my 4 year old son. The "unfortunate" pages provoked a LOT of discussion about what was happening to Ned and would he be hurt. This type of "cliffhanger" is entirely new to my 4 year old who reads only books, so far, where nobody is hurt or injured. Fortunately, Ned is "saved" by turning the page and all ends well. I think this book scares my son and I have put it away for now. This book is probably better for children older than 3 or 4.

This is one of my twenty favorite children's books, up with Good Night Moon. The story is compelling (every other page is a cliffhanger) and the artwork is excellent and perfectly matches the alternating moods of the story.I had never heard of the author (Remy Charlip) before. Now, I want to read everything else by them.This book is a storytime and *bedtime* favorite for the 3-year olds I know. Must give them interesting dreams!--Pat

If you are a teacher and teach cause and effect, this book is great. when you are finished, you can have the kids write a story as a class based on their own fortuantely events. It's great!