Lucky Lazlo

K-Gr 2—Young Lazlo buys his lady love a red rose, which is stolen by a mischievous cat who leads him on a wild romp through the theater where his sweetheart is playing the lead in a production of Alice in Wonderland. While this may sound like a thin plot, the author has a purpose: introducing young readers to a few of the many superstitions observed by those who work in the theater. "Flowers should never be presented before a performance." "It is bad luck to open a show on Friday." And, of course, the familiar "break a leg." As Lazlo pursues the feline, he runs by actors getting into their costumes, musicians tuning their instruments, and prop masters preparing the scenery, then right across the stage into the wings, where the cat finally drops the rose (there's a mouse to catch!). Light's delightfully detailed pen-and-ink illustrations use focused areas of color to stand out against his signature black-and-white backdrops. Each spread is a visual feast that references both the world of the stage and Lewis Carroll's beloved Wonderland characters. For most of the story, Lazlo seems decidedly unlucky, until the end, when he steals the show and Alice's heart. Readers are then invited to go back and search for each of the superstitions hiding in the illustrations.