THUMB LOVE

This tongue-in-cheek self-help book will keep readers in giggles while offering sound advice. Lulu is supremely unperturbed by her thumb-sucking. Friends and family unsuccessfully campaign to convince Lulu to kick the habit, pointing out the many pitfalls of prolonged thumb love. A dream sequence involving wildly protruding teeth and exaggerated lisping ultimately compels Lulu to make a change, though. The result is Lulu’s hilarious 12-step program for thumb suckers, a meeting of which ("Hello. My name is Lulu and I'm a thumb sucker") opens the book. Her injunctions range from sincere to silly as Primavera deftly intersperses prudent counsel with wry humor. However, underneath the raillery lies Lulu’s message of perseverance. Her steadfast determination despite her missteps encourages readers to be resolute. The full-color cartoon illustrations are whimsically over the top. Lulu’s thumb has a miniature face and personality of its own, complete with speech bubbles providing its commentary. This witty tale is a treat for all readers (and their thumbs, too). (Picture book. 4-8)