Bruno loves going to his friend Sanjay’s house to play with his hand painted toy soldiers. Sanjay has 100’s of them, and when the boys stop for a snack, Sanjay is allowed to leave them scattered everywhere until they go back to them.

Except for his own bed which he can leave unmade if he chooses, Bruno has to put things away in his home.

Sanjay has a pet too – something Bruno would love for himself. Any pet will do. Bruno’s brother Mateo has a dog that is at his side every day, and Bruno thinks he’s so lucky. But it isn’t a race around the park sort of dog.

Mateo is clever too. He seems to know where lost things are, knows exactly how many steps are at the park or in local buildings, and can even read in the dark.

Despite his wishing for what others have, Bruno admires his big brother and his friend. He knows he is lucky to have them.

Released for World Sight Day 2023 and Blind Low Vision Week, Lucky Me takes a snapshot of a young boy’s life with his best friend Sanjay and visually impaired big brother Mateo.

Like all children, Bruno looks upon others and sees things he would like to have. Sanjay can leave a mess when playing, and has a cool pet. Mateo has a guide dog at his side every day and can read in the dark. But when Bruno looks at his friend and brother, he realises he too is lucky – to have them both in his life.

We are all different, with different ways of living, with family rules and routines that help run individual homes smoothly. We’ve all aspired to something another person might have, but also all have something in our own lives to be thankful for.

I love the positivity in this book as it highlights something each of the characters have to be thankful for, especially empowering a visually impaired and admired big brother.

The end pages at the back of the book explain Braille and show the Braille Alphabet. There is also an activity young readers can try.

See some inside spreads:

Author – Lawrence Schimel

Illustrator – Juan Camilo Mayorga

Picture Book

(2023, Oratia Books, Blind, Low Vision, World Sight Day, Guide Dog, Positivity, Brothers, Friendship, Siblings, Thankful, Lucky, Wishing, Happy, Visually Impaired, Diversity, Differences, Empowerment, Play, Pets, Iguana, Dog, Animals, Family, Vision Impaired)