How Lucky Am I?

March 4, 2024
Married collaborators the Hoyings draw inspiration from the mayfly’s 24-hour lifespan in this book-length ode to living life to the fullest. Opening rhymes establish an enthusiastic tone, urging an orange mayfly to “spread your wings,/ ’cause life is not to be wasted!” The insect soon manages to take off, but it becomes forlorn when other flies pair up. Fortunately, a high-flying route brings an encounter with a like-minded friend, and the partners dance together, foregrounded against northern lights and koi fish (“Let’s adventure side by side!// We’ll talk for hours,/ laugh and cry!”) before returning home to help kick off the cycle anew. Lew’s friendly digital renderings embrace electric hues, giving the mayflies a doll-like cuteness that aligns with the book’s greeting-card vibe. More about mayflies and an authors’ note concludes. Ages 4–8.

April 15, 2024
Singer/songwriter and Pentatonix vocalist Scott Hoying and his husband, Mark, a writer and marketing professional, tell the story of a mayfly learning to seize the day. "Good morning, Mayfly! / It's your time to meet the sky! / Spread your wings, / 'cause life is not to be wasted!" Words of wisdom from two older mayflies inspire a youngster to explore and appreciate the world. He zips through the air, observes colors and smells, and notices other mayflies. "How lucky am I!" he enthuses at each turn. But as nearby mayflies begin to pair off, our winged hero watches, lonely, wondering if he'll end up alone. "Why oh why...isn't luck on my side?" He tries to be philosophical. But before all hope is lost, the perfect partner appears, and mayfly-style romance abounds. Everything comes full circle as the two spot a new youngster and advise that "life is not to be wasted." Brightly colored, cartoon illustrations nearly overwhelm with extreme cuteness, while exuberant text traces the mayfly's journey. Well intentioned but a bit saccharine, this tale concludes with backmatter about the species' all-too-brief (one-day) life cycle and an explanation that the mayflies in the story are same-sex partners (which, the authors note, are common throughout the animal kingdom). A QR code links to a song version of the book, performed by Scott Hoying. A super-sweet tale of living in the moment. (Picture book. 4-8)

COPYRIGHT(2024) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.