How Lucky Am I?

by Scott Hoying, Mark Hoying, Steph Lew (Illustrator)

Overview

Notes From Your Bookseller

Your next favorite picture book is packed with a ton of heart, perfect for readers of all ages. (Did you know it's a side project from the Hoyings of Pentatonix?)

A lyrical and charming picture book about making the most of your one precious life, from Grammy Award-winning co-founder of Pentatonix, Scott Hoying, and his husband, Mark Hoying.

Born into a world of endless skies, natural wonders, and friends waiting to be found–a mayfly, with only a single day to live, flies high into the beauty of it all. But when he sees all the other mayflies pairing off, he wonders if he will have to spend his day alone. Could it be that he just needs to fly a little higher to meet his match?

With lush illustrations and rhythmic storytelling, How Lucky Am I? encourages us all to appreciate the beauty of everyday life and those we share it with.

The book includes a QR code to link readers to the original "How Lucky Am I?" song, written by the authors and performed by Scott Hoying.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781250853332
Publisher:	Henry Holt and Co. (BYR)
Publication date:	05/21/2024
Pages:	40
Sales rank:	60,789
Product dimensions:	10.10(w) x 8.10(h) x 0.40(d)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Scott Hoying is a GRAMMY award winning and Emmy-nominated singer, songwriter, and arranger from the multi-platinum selling acapella group, Pentatonix. He co-founded the group in 2010, and has headlined hundreds of shows all around the world. He is very active in the LGBTQ+ community and works closely with The Trevor Project. How Lucky Am I? is his first picture book.

Mark Manio is a writer from Seattle, Washington. With his fiancée Scott Hoying, he co-wrote the original Christmas single titled “Thank You” on Pentatonix’s latest holiday album, “We Need A Little Christmas.” How Lucky Am I? is his first picture book.

Steph Lew is a concept artist and illustrator from San Francisco, CA. She graduated from San Jose State University with a BFA in animation/illustration. She strives to have strong light and color in her artwork and enjoys drawing people, animals, and mermaids. Books she has illustrated include So Big and So Small (John Coy), Can't Catch Santa! (Emily Cunningham), and the Little Golden Book It's a Small World!

Editorial Reviews

03/04/2024

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. (May)

Publishers Weekly

"Married collaborators the Hoyings draw inspiration from the mayfly’s 24-hour lifespan in this book-length ode to living life to the fullest." – Publishers Weekly

"A super-sweet tale of living in the moment." – Kirkus

From the Publisher

2024-03-23
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)

Kirkus Reviews