My Lucky Day

An award-winning story time favorite with a hilarious twist at the end.

When a delicious-looking piglet knocks on Mr. Fox's door, the fox can hardly believe his good luck. It's not every day that dinner just shows up on your doorstep. It must be his lucky day

But as the piglet is quick to point out, shouldn't the fox give him a bath first? And wouldn't it be best to fatten him up a little, and give him a massage so he'll make for a nice tender roast?

Preparing this feast is a lot of work, but the fox is sure it will be worth it. After all, it's his lucky day. Or is it?

In a funny trickster tale of her own, Kasza keeps readers guessing until the surprise ending when they'll realize it was piglet's lucky day all along.

Author: Keiko Kasza
Publisher: G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers
Published: 09/29/2003
Pages: 32
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 0.74lbs
Size: 10.16h x 8.20w x 0.36d
ISBN: 9780399238741
Audience: Ages 4-8

Accelerated Reader:
Reading Level: 2.3
Point Value: 0.5
Interest Level: Lower Grade
Quiz #/Name: 78024 / My Lucky Day


Award: Grand Canyon Reader Award - Winner
Award: Georgia Children's Book Award - Winner
Award: California Young Reader Medal - Winner
Award: Ladybug Picture Book Award - Winner
Award: North Carolina Children's Book Award - Winner
Award: Buckaroo Book Award - Winner
Award: Nevada Young Readers' Award - Winner
Award: Golden Sower Award - Winner
Award: Monarch Award - Winner
Award: Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award - Nominee
Award: South Carolina Childrens, Junior and Young Adult Book Award - Nominee
Award: Young Hoosier Book Award - Winner


Review Citation(s):
Kirkus Review - Children 08/01/2003 pg. 1018
Horn Book Magazine 09/01/2003 pg. 598
School Library Journal 09/01/2003 pg. 182
Publishers Weekly 10/06/2003 pg. 84
Booklist 10/15/2003 pg. 419
Hornbook Guide to Children 07/01/2003 pg. 47 - Outstanding, Noteworthy In Style
Hornbook Guide to Children 01/01/2004 pg. 47 - Outstanding, Noteworthy In Style

About the Author
Keiko Kasza was born on a small Japanese island in the Inland Sea of Japan. She grew up in a typical Japanese extended family with her parents, two brothers, and grandparents. Uncles, aunts, and cousins also lived nearby. All the steps I took growing up were very normal, Ms. Kasza says. The only unusual thing I did was go to college in the United States. She graduated with a degree in graphic design from California State University at Northridge. Ms. Kasza married an American, and the United States has been her home ever since.

After publishing five children's books in Japan and working as a graphic designer for fourteen years, Ms. Kasza decided in 1988 to devote her time to picture books. She says, Having two small boys and two professions was too much to handle.

Ms. Kasza admires many great picture-book creators, such as Leo Lionni and Maurice Sendak, but says that the work of Arnold Lobel has influenced her the most. The subtle humor and warmth he created in his books continues to inspire me, she says. I often go back to his work when I get discouraged or lose confidence.

Ms. Kasza compares the process of making a book to acting on stage under the lights:
I become the character that I'm working on at that moment. I pretend that I'm a bird looking for a mother, or a pig trying to impress his girlfriend. When I'm acting, I'm a child myself.

Ms. Kasza's ambition is not to create a hundred books, but to create one really good book that will be kept on the family bookshelves for generations, although a hundred really good books would be even better, of course!

Keiko Kasza lives in Indiana with her husband and two sons.

copyright (c) 2000 by Penguin Putnam Books for Young Readers. All rights reserved.
Keiko Kasza was born on a small Japanese island in the Inland Sea of Japan. She grew up in a typical Japanese extended family with her parents, two brothers, and grandparents. Uncles, aunts, and cousins also lived nearby. All the steps I took growing up were very normal, Ms. Kasza says. The only unusual thing I did was go to college in the United States. She graduated with a degree in graphic design from California State University at Northridge. Ms. Kasza married an American, and the United States has been her home ever since.

After publishing five children's books in Japan and working as a graphic designer for fourteen years, Ms. Kasza decided in 1988 to devote her time to picture books. She says, Having two small boys and two professions was too much to handle.

Ms. Kasza admires many great picture-book creators, such as Leo Lionni and Maurice Sendak, but says that the work of Arnold Lobel has influenced her the most. The subtle humor and warmth he created in his books continues to inspire me, she says. I often go back to his work when I get discouraged or lose confidence.

Ms. Kasza compares the process of making a book to acting on stage under the lights:
I become the character that I'm working on at that moment. I pretend that I'm a bird looking for a mother, or a pig trying to impress his girlfriend. When I'm acting, I'm a child myself.

Ms. Kasza's ambition is not to create a hundred books, but to create one really good book that will be kept on the family bookshelves for generations, although a hundred really good books would be even better, of course!

Keiko Kasza lives in Indiana with her husband and two sons.

copyright (c) 2000 by Penguin Putnam Books for Young Readers. All rights reserved.