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Fortunately, Unfortunately Hardcover – Picture Book, January 1, 2011

4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 85 ratings

Mom sends Milo on an errand to return Granny's umbrella to her. Fortunately, Milo doesn't realize that he's about to encounter several unfortunate setbacks with pirates, dinosaurs, and aliens. But it all turns into one amazing, fortunate adventure.

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Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreS-Gr 2-A boylike monkey (or monkeylike boy?) is given a task by his mother. "Granny has left her umbrella here. Can you take it to her house, please?" So begins Milo's great adventure filled with setbacks and serendipity. The journey begins innocently enough. "Fortunately, it was a lovely day... Unfortunately a dark cloud appeared....Fortunately, he had Granny's umbrella...." But soon Milo finds himself fighting off unfriendly pirates inside the belly of a whale, standing face-to-face with wild dinosaurs inside a volcano, and being captured by aliens. At last he arrives at Grandma's house with her umbrella looking a little the worse for wear, but filled with pirate treasure. Unfortunately, the pirates have tracked Milo down, and readers are left to imagine what further adventures might ensue. Foreman's narrative carries the "fortunately, unfortunately" trope throughout. With only one or two sentences per page, listeners will easily follow the unfolding story line. Such a convoluted chain of events could easily be weighed down by visually cluttered illustrations, but Foreman employs a light touch with his bright watercolors, and the eye follows exactly where it needs to go. Regrettably, Milo himself is rendered in a slightly different style on every page, and the effect is mildly off-putting. Still, those adventure-minded youngsters who pine for a life with more pirates, dinosaurs, and aliens will appreciate this work, though teachers introducing the "fortunately, unfortunately" style in writing assignments may wish to stick with Remy Charlip's classic, Fortunately (Scholastic, 1964). Purchase as a supplement to larger collections.-Jayne Damron, Farmington Community Library, MI (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Review

"Young monkey Milo is called upon to return his grandmother's umbrella. Unfortunately, he meets one roadblock after another (pirates, space aliens, dinosaurs, etc.), delaying his journey. Fortunately, these encounters are extremely entertaining. Vibrant watercolor illustrations reflect Milo's wild adventure from home to Granny's. The fortunately/unfortunately patterned text makes this a great read-aloud." --The Horn Book Guide



"If life could be summed up in a picture book, Fortunately, Unfortunately could easily be selected as life's spokesperson. In this unpredictable adventure story, Milo the monkey is told by his mother to bring granny her umbrella. With this simple task come difficult and sometimes dangerous risks. As Milo goes to granny’s house, fortunate and unfortunate events happen along the way. Milo meets rain. It is fortunate that he has an umbrella, but it is unfortunate that he doesn't look where he is going. Here starts life’s erratic journey. Readers will enjoy the humor and find hope in the worst situation. Teachers could use this book to show sequence and repetition. The colorful watercolor illustrations correlate well with the simple text. This book is perfect for a young children's storytime. Recommended." --Library Media Connection



"Answering the longstanding need for an alternative to Remy Charlip's classic but now-creaky Fortunately (1964), Foreman reworks the titular dichotomy into a young chimp’s adventuresome delivery of an umbrella to his grandma's house. 'Fortunately, it was a lovely day and Milo liked going to Granny's house because she always had cake... / Unfortunately, a dark cloud appeared and it soon began to rain... / Fortunately, he had Granny's umbrella..." That umbrella shows great utility not only in the sudden rainstorm, but when there's a pirate captain and a set of giant hostile aliens to poke on the way past an erupting volcano, dinosaurs and other hazards–all depicted with luminous watercolors in big, comical scenes. There's so much action that monotony is never really a danger, which renders occasional breaks in the titular pattern unnecessary (' "Please don't pop us! Please don't pop us!" squeaked the huge aliens'). Still, it's a fresh and welcome alternative to a perennial crowd pleaser that has become a period piece." --Kirkus Reviews



"A boylike monkey (or monkeylike boy?) is given a task by his mother. 'Granny has left her umbrella here. Can you take it to her house, please?' So begins Milo's great adventure filled with setbacks and serendipity. The journey begins innocently enough. 'Fortunately, it was a lovely day... Unfortunately a dark cloud appeared....Fortunately, he had Granny's umbrella....' But soon Milo finds himself fighting off unfriendly pirates inside the belly of a whale, standing face-to-face with wild dinosaurs inside a volcano, and being captured by aliens. At last he arrives at Grandma's house with her umbrella looking a little the worse for wear, but filled with pirate treasure. Unfortunately, the pirates have tracked Milo down, and readers are left to imagine what further adventures might ensue. Foreman's narrative carries the 'fortunately, unfortunately' trope throughout. With only one or two sentences per page, listeners will easily follow the unfolding story line. Such a convoluted chain of events could easily be weighed down by visually cluttered illustrations, but Foreman employs a light touch with his bright watercolors, and the eye follows exactly where it needs to go. Regrettably, Milo himself is rendered in a slightly different style on every page, and the effect is mildly off-putting. Still, those adventure-minded youngsters who pine for a life with more pirates, dinosaurs, and aliens will appreciate this work, though teachers introducing the 'fortunately, unfortunately' style in writing assignments may wish to stick with Remy Charlip's classic, Fortunately (Scholastic, 1964). Purchase as a supplement to larger collections." --School Library Journal



"An innocuous errand―delivering an umbrella to his grandmother―turns into a riotous adventure for Milo, a monkey pictured wearing shorts, a T-shirt, and sneakers. Vibrant watercolors by two-time Kate Greenaway Medal–winner Foreman playfully portray Milo's outlandish reversals of fortune, beginning with a raincloud darkening a sunny sky: 'Fortunately, he had Granny's umbrella... Unfortunately, he didn't look where he was going.' Milo steps off a cliff and falls into the mouth of a whale, which precipitates a chain of events that brings him face-to-face with unfriendly pirates, wild dinosaurs, and two species of aliens. The rainbow-colored umbrella repeatedly comes to his rescue, serving as a parachute, boat, and sword. It appears life will return to normal when Milo finally arrives at Granny's house, but what spills out of the umbrella suggests otherwise. The repeated use of the two title words―perhaps an homage to Remy Charlip's 1964 picture book Fortunately, which used the same two words the same way―creates a seesaw effect that encourages chiming in, and the jaunty art adds laughs." --Publishers Weekly

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Andersen Press USA; Illustrated edition (January 1, 2011)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 32 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0761374604
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0761374602
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 4 - 9 years
  • Lexile measure ‏ : ‎ AD530L
  • Grade level ‏ : ‎ Preschool - 3
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.05 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 9.5 x 0.25 x 11 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 85 ratings

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Michael Foreman
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Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
85 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers enjoy the engaging story and imaginative illustrations. They find it a great resource for teaching cause and effect. The book is described as humorous, funny, and a wonderful read-aloud for children of all ages.

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9 customers mention "Story quality"9 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the story. They find it fun and educational for children to learn about life's ups and downs. The twists and turns in the story help them understand.

"...My granddaughter found this book very enjoyable. It also taught her to read and understand two hard words—fortunately and unfortunately." Read more

"...The hilarious story with it's twists and turns helps children understand the reading strategy of cause and effect...." Read more

"These books came quickly and are in good condition. GREAT STORY for children to learn that life brings bad and good events and often good comes..." Read more

"...My students think this is an exceptionally fun book and ooked forward to the assignment!" Read more

3 customers mention "Imagination"3 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's imaginative and cheerful illustrations. They find it fun and creative, allowing them to create their own stories.

"..."Fortunately, Unfortunately" device used by the author and create their own stories. I highly recommend this book to parents and teachers." Read more

"...Cheerfully illustrated." Read more

"Fun and imaginative..." Read more

3 customers mention "Reading strategy"3 positive0 negative

Customers find the book useful for teaching cause and effect. They say it's a great read-aloud book for children of all ages.

"This book is a wonderful read aloud book for children of all ages. The rhythmic flow of words keeps the attention of young listeners...." Read more

"Really great picture book for teaching cause and effect ; the domino effect" Read more

"Love this book- great for teachers!..." Read more

Complete Rip-off
1 out of 5 stars
Complete Rip-off
I was looking for the book which I LOVED as a little girl and came across this book written in 2011---but how could that be? The book I read was inthe 60's. Then I realized Michael Foreman had shamelessly plagiarized the original unfortunately, but which is STILL in print.Fortunately,
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Top reviews from other countries

  • anagi
    5.0 out of 5 stars Fortunately, Unfortunately by Michael Foreman
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 13, 2013
    I bought this book and three others by Michael Foreman for my 4 year old granddaughter. She had borrowed the book from the library and wanted her own copy. This is a funny, lovely book for small children. However, her two older sisters aged 9 and 10 also love the book. Michael Foreman writes thought provoking stories for children; they carry a message without labouring the point, almost incidental. I would recommend his books for children of all ages. Adults will love them too.
  • Mrs. A. Hatton-perkins
    5.0 out of 5 stars I've read this story to Year 1's and we have ...
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 14, 2014
    I've read this story to Year 1's and we have had a blast working out what could happen next. As a tool for developing language this one is a must.
  • Mrs. S. Wilson
    5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant book
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 18, 2012
    I bought this book for my son and nephew and they both think it's brilliant. It goes from one disaster to another and is very funny. The boys love it.
  • joanne harty
    5.0 out of 5 stars Good quality text
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 5, 2016
    Used as a teaching resource. Good quality text.
  • LC
    4.0 out of 5 stars Great quality and value
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 20, 2024
    My order arrived within a few days.
    The book is in very good condition and was packed very well for postage. Great quality, service and value!