Lucky Jake

Jake and his father had joined countless other prospectors in the west panning for gold. Life was difficult, and Jake yearned for the company of a pet dog while his father dreamed of eating something other than beans. Fortunately their luck turned around when Pa found a good-sized gold nugget. Although the storekeeper had no dog to sell, Jake did wind up with a pet pig that had a nose for sniffing out long-forgotten treasures and ears for hearing unlikely visitors. Little did Jake and Pa know that these traits would start a chain of events that could help them make a living without having to pan for gold. This appealing book may start off with the simple premise of a child wanting a pet, but the story quickly develops into a clever story loaded with economics concepts that include natural resources, barter, and entrepreneurship. Bold illustrations with unusual lighting and angles further add to Lucky Jake's unique quality. The gold rush setting can help to spark a lively discussion with children about an important chapter in U.S. history and the challenges that prospectors faced when searching for gold.

These illustrations are fantastic. Along with the artist's other books (Window Music, Delivery, Red Are the Apples, Big Bad and a Little Bit Scary, and Liberty), it takes us on a marvelous journey of freed imagination, a world of vivid colors and mind-opening perspective. Can't wait to see what his next book will be like!

Lucky Jake is an engaging story, vividly illustrated. The Gold Rush setting is intriguing and the pacing flows as smoothly as Pa's drawl. For Pa, Jake and pig named Dog, "life is what happens while you're making other plans"--and that sure is lucky!

My niece and nephews love this book. I love this book. The story is fun to read out loud at bedtime. The thing I like most about it is that while it has a good message to take away, the kids are not hammered over the head with it like some books. Very well crafted. If you like something a bit sillier, try Sharon Hart Addy's If Wishes were Horses... also very good.