Lessons of a LAC by Lynn Jenkins - ESSENTIAL

Lessons of a LAC by Lynn Jenkins, illustrated by Kirrili Lonergan. PICTURE BOOK. EK Books (Exisle Publishing), 2018. $18. 9781925335828

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ESSENTIAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

LAC stands for “Little Anxious Creature” and the LACs are indeed anxious. They even go to school to learn about all the dangers in the world. Calmsters, on the other hand, use soothing language to live a happy life. The two creatures become friends and the LACs learn some valuable lessons.

Multiple times since reading this book I have used a phrase from it: “Just because something bad can happen doesn’t mean it will happen.” My slightly anxious nine year old enjoyed this book and read it multiple times to herself. My only resistance to this book is the way the LACs are illustrated - they are all lips and eyes and it is creepy.    

Jen Wecker, HS English Teacher