Yim, Natasha. Luna Picks a Lucky Dumpling. Violet Kim, Illus. Storytelling Math; bk. 15. Charlesbridge, 05/2026. [32]pp. Picture Book. Trade $17.99.978-1-6235-4660-1. Paper $8.99. 978-1-6235-4661-8. GRADES Preschool–3. HIGH ADDITIONAL.
Part of the Storytelling Math series, this story gives an example of probability and celebrates the annual Dragon Boat Festival holiday. Luna and her cousins help make sticky rice dumplings, with just three of the ten having a lucky egg yolk hidden inside. Can they manipulate the odds so their littlest cousin gets one with an egg yolk? The story shows how the likelihood of predicting the outcome changes each time a circumstance changes, like the number of dumplings left after one is eaten. The full color gouache-and-crayon artwork depicts a large extended family with members from different races, including white, Black, and Asian parents and children. Back matter adds information on probability as well as a section on the tradition of the Dragon Boat Festival.
Penny Peck—San José State University iSchool