Reviewed by Rosie Malezer for Readers' Favorite

Luciano and his Sunshine Boots is a children’s book written and illustrated by Carol Myers. Luciano is a young boy who loves to play with regular boys’ toys and especially loves to play outside after it rains. Luciano’s rain boots are his favorite, and the rain leaves behind lovely puddles in which Luciano loves to jump. Luciano becomes ill one day and is too sick to go outside. His mother tries to cheer him up by buying new rain boots, as his old ones had become too small. When Luciano sees a pair of bright yellow boots, he chooses them and calls them his sunshine boots, as he believes that they will help him become well again. Luciano wears his new sunshine boots at all times when he is awake, whether rain or shine, and when he sleeps, they sit on the table next to his bed. His uncle, a boot maker, decided to make Luciano’s Sunshine Boots in mass production and, very soon, everybody was wearing them as a symbol of hope for a brighter day.

Carol Myers’ story of a boy who loves to jump in puddles put a smile on my face. Regardless of his illness, Luciano never gave up hope of getting better and staying healthy. A child loving something so much that they absolutely beam with pride and happiness is truly a joy to see, especially when the child revels in spreading the joy that they feel. While it was bizarre to see people of all occupations wearing bright yellow boots with their work attire, the message that the book is trying to relay came across strongly regarding finding your joy and believing in it, no matter what. Luciano and his Sunshine Boots has my tick of approval and, although my rain boots are black and purple, I am tempted to run outside and jump in every single rain puddle that I see, in honor of the boy who never gave up hope. I recommend this book to be stocked in school, home, and hospital libraries, so that children know that tomorrow can always be a brighter day.