A child receives a box of seven fortune cookies & each mysterious fortune comes true. Each cookie has a pull-out fortune (perhaps to be read aloud by a parent) which provides some challenging contrast to the otherwise short, easy-to-read sentences with repetition on each page. While this tale of pet gain, loss and reunion is a sturdy one, it is Raschka's illustrations and the slide-out fortunes that make it sing. ( )

A child receives a box of seven fortune cookies & each mysterious fortune comes true. Each cookie has a pull-out fortune (perhaps to be read aloud by a parent) which provides some challenging contrast to the otherwise short, easy-to-read sentences with repetition on each page. While this tale of pet gain, loss and reunion is a sturdy one, it is Raschka's illustrations and the slide-out fortunes that make it sing. ( )

In my opinion, I think "Fortune Cookies" by Albert Bitterman is a great book overall, especially for children who like toy books and being able to have that tangible interaction with their books. One of the most likable things about this book is that the fortune cookies actually have a pull tab that you pull to the right and can read the fortune. This allows the reader to be engaged as they read the book. For example, the first fortune on Sunday reads, "today you will lose something you don't need," which is written on a pull out tab. When the child turns the page, they can see what actually happened which was losing a tooth in this case. This relates to a second thing I liked about the book which was the fact that young readers can relate to the actions that occurred in the story. These range from losing a tooth, to having emotions about losing a pet, to building a fort, and making wishes which were all supported by simple and unique illustrations. These illustrations were also a reason why I liked this book. While the background color of each page was white, this allowed for the fortune cookie to be a major focus of each page. The illustrations were also simple and abstract, with a resemblance of a crayon drawing or water color painting with the strokes that were used. The big idea of this story was that life and events change daily and it is important to go with the flow and embrace what comes your way. ( )

fortune cookies have pull out fortunes; book ends with cat having seven kittens; fun read aloud story ( )

Fortune Cookies is a fun, interactive board book about the uniquely Chinese-American treat, the fortune cookie. A little girl receives a package containing seven fortune cookies. On each double-spread, a scenario unfolds,

"Yesterday I got a box in the mail. It had seven fortune cookies in it. On Sunday my fortune said:”

(here the reader can slide the fortune out of the cookie)

"Today you will lose something you don't need.
And guess what?”

(the following spread reveals how the fortune comes true)

"My tooth came out!”

Each day's "And guess what?" becomes bigger and bigger as the story builds to a crescendo. Everything ties neatly together in cause-and-effect relationships, ending in a humorously happy ending. Chris Raschka's signature style artwork on thick, glossy, plain white pages adds an element of childish excitement. Fun for storytime or sharing at home.
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