HOLIDAYVILLE'S LUCKY EASTER SURPRISE

A trio of pals discover the true value of friendship during a surprise visit to Leprechaun Land in  Bryant’s picture book.

Imani joins her friends, Chase and Kayla, for Holidayville’s annual Easter egg hunt. Hoping to find the special golden egg, they wander off the beaten path and reaching their hands inside a bush, where they discover a surprised leprechaun named Lucky. When he instantly transports himself back to Leprechaun Land, he accidentally brings the three friends with him. They explore their magical new surroundings and meet other unusual friends (including a couple of tooth fairies) before Lucky brings them home again—but not before giving them a golden egg with some special coins inside. Bryant’s prose is clear and descriptive, although it occasionally veers into platitudes: “They had found a true treasure. One not based on golden eggs or shiny coins….They had discovered the magic of friendship and imagination.” Still, the narrative maintains a sense of lightness and fun, imbuing everything the kids do with a sense of wonder. Meanwhile, Figueras’ illustrations feature bright colors and crisp lines that bring the tale to life. All the main characters are portrayed with brown skin, and background characters are depicted with an array of skin tones.

A joy-filled adventure that’s sure to delight both kids and adults.