What do you think?
Rate this book
Finding Lucy
How do you paint the colour of laughter, or the flutter of birds, or the whimsy of the wind? Lucy, a thoughtful girl with a brush, a smock, and a sassy cat, is determined to find out. But after a snide rabbit appears with his own opinion of what Lucy should paint, the young artist’s confidence is shaken. And worst of all, the rabbit isn’t the only visitor keen to make their voice heard.
Acclaimed author-illustrator Eugenie Fernandes delivers a rich picture book about the value of independence and self-expression.
Acclaimed author-illustrator Eugenie Fernandes delivers a rich picture book about the value of independence and self-expression.
32 pages, Hardcover
Published October 28, 2019
About the author
Eugenie Fernandes
111 books7 followersEugenie Fernandes is a children’s author-illustrators. She has published more than ninety books. Her paintings for illustrations have been used by UNICEF to create cards and puzzles, and by One Hen to create educational websites. Some of paintings from are on display at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African Art.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
January 13, 2020
Lucy is a free-spirited young girl with a talent for painting beautiful imaginative things like the colour of laughter, the flutter of birds, and the impulsiveness of the wind. She gets lost in her masterpieces and her heart is at peace while she is creating. Each stroke of her brush brings her happiness and contentment.
One day a snooty rabbit reporter who came from the Daily News critiques her work and shatters her self confidence. While she is painting the colour of laughter on her canvas he points out that her painting looks utterly ridiculous and it looks more like JELLYBEAN SOUP! Oh my! Lucy feels so hurt and crushed by his mean words. A variety of other animals pay her a visit and voice their opinion too as to what her painting should look like. Poor Lucy keeps making changes to appease her critics and in so doing becomes very unhappy and despondent indeed.
In the midst of all these nay-sayers Lucy learns a very valuable life lesson. She discovers that the most important thing is to be true to yourself and not try to always please others. Her faithful loving cat encourages her to return to her own style of creating and when she takes his advice her happiness returns.
The illustrations are whimsical and full of colour with lots of detail. Young readers will ascertain that it's important to follow your own heart and your own uniqueness because those two things will bring happiness to your soul. I highly recommend this book.
One day a snooty rabbit reporter who came from the Daily News critiques her work and shatters her self confidence. While she is painting the colour of laughter on her canvas he points out that her painting looks utterly ridiculous and it looks more like JELLYBEAN SOUP! Oh my! Lucy feels so hurt and crushed by his mean words. A variety of other animals pay her a visit and voice their opinion too as to what her painting should look like. Poor Lucy keeps making changes to appease her critics and in so doing becomes very unhappy and despondent indeed.
In the midst of all these nay-sayers Lucy learns a very valuable life lesson. She discovers that the most important thing is to be true to yourself and not try to always please others. Her faithful loving cat encourages her to return to her own style of creating and when she takes his advice her happiness returns.
The illustrations are whimsical and full of colour with lots of detail. Young readers will ascertain that it's important to follow your own heart and your own uniqueness because those two things will bring happiness to your soul. I highly recommend this book.
April 3, 2020
This is a wonderful book for artists of all ages! Lucy is happily painting with her very supportive cat, when a rabbit shows up and gives his opinion of her painting. Soon other animals come by and give their opinions as well. They all a suggestion on how to improve her paintings. Lucy keeps changing her work trying to please everyone but herself. The more she listens to others and tries to please them, the less she enjoys her painting. Her cat reminds her that she used to paint what she liked and that made her happy. She realizes that is what she wants to feel and begins a new painting for herself. I love this message! Any artist, of any medium will be happiest when their work portrays what they want it to, not what everyone else wants it to. The big message; Stay True to Yourself. The story is told in a bright and amusing way. There is a lot of vocabulary that will be fun to explain and talk about. I loved the gorgeous illustrations. They were full of vibrant colour and detail. This is a great book to share with children whether they are artists or not. Everyone has a talent that they can enjoy. The publisher generously provided me a copy of this book upon request. The rating, ideas and opinions shared are my own.
February 24, 2020
A whimsical story that teaches about self-confidence and believing in your own ideas. The character Lucy is swayed by each critique of her art. She attempts to fix her painting for each new passer-by, only to contradicted by the next person who critiques it. In the end, she finds what makes her happiest, and that's what her art should be about.
Excellent creativity in the storyline, with a good message for youngsters to believe in yourself. Cute illustrations.
Excellent creativity in the storyline, with a good message for youngsters to believe in yourself. Cute illustrations.
November 25, 2019
While others impose their ideas onto Lucy's art, she changes it in an attempt to please them before discovering she has lost much joy in the endeavor. The important reminder to stay true to your authentic self was hard for me to enjoy with the irritating font and bizarre and random aspects of the story.
February 22, 2020
This is a wonderful book for artists of all ages! The message of being true to yourself and your art is a great one for kids, but adults need to remember this too. Our protagonist Lucy is happily painting with her very supportive cat, when an anthropomorphic rabbit shows up and gives his opinion of her painting. Soon other animals come by and give there opinions too, telling her how to improve her paintings. Before long, she starts trying to please them instead of herself, and starts to lose her joy in creating. Her cat gently reminds her how she used to paint what she liked, and she realizes she misses that, and gets to work on a new painting for herself. I love this message! Any artist, any creator, will be happiest when their work portrays what they want it to, not what everyone else wants it to, so stay true to yourself! The story is told in a bright and amusing way, with lots of big fun words to chew on, and the illustrations are just gorgeous, filled with lush color and detail. I especially enjoyed Lucy's abstract art- I like her use of color. Get this book for the artist in your life!
#FindingLucy #NetGalley
#FindingLucy #NetGalley
January 4, 2020
This is a somewhat goofy story with a great message. Lucy loves to paint but every animal from the crocodile to a frog has an opinion about her painting and what she should do to make it better. In a world where we seem constantly bombarded with input from others learning to block some of it out in favor of being true to ourselves is an important lesson to learn. As Lucy discovers this for herself readers will hopefully learn from her journey as well and be able to relate it to their lives. A warm, energetic story with lots of fun vocabulary.
January 13, 2020
This is a book about a little girl who keeps changing her painting trying to please others instead of herself. I think the lesson in it is an excellent one to teach. The illustrations are beautiful and very colorful. I think in the book saying where the characters leave to is a little random and my only criticism. This book is definitely one I would buy though and read to my daughters.
This book was given to me an an ARC from the publisher through NetGalley in an exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated in any way.
This book was given to me an an ARC from the publisher through NetGalley in an exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated in any way.
August 16, 2026
If you are a writer or artist, this picture book is also for you. Lucy loves to paint until the critics come. Not loud enough, not brave enough, not green enough, not good enough, they say. All the criticism makes art-making miserable and the paintings terrible. A good friend helps Lucy find her way back to painting "the flutter of birds and the whimsy of the wind." Beautiful wisdom for all of us from the late, great Eugenie Fernandes.
February 3, 2020
Absolutely touching, wonderful, and lovely book. This is a fabulous choice for storytime not only because the pictures are stunning and the rhymes are sweet, but it covers many different themes: friendship, believing in yourself, creativity, artwork, regaining confidence, friendship, and expressing yourself. So wonderfully charming and one you will want on hand to recommend!
March 28, 2020
My daughters and I absolutely adored this book! The illustrations and adorable story were perfect for my girls ages, 6 and 9.
The message it send about being true to yourself spoke not only to my girls, but to me as well.
It was a beautiful story and perfect for young children everywhere to see they can be just who they were meant to be!
The message it send about being true to yourself spoke not only to my girls, but to me as well.
It was a beautiful story and perfect for young children everywhere to see they can be just who they were meant to be!
September 2, 2021
I received a free ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This book was cute. The pictures were bright and colorful. The story flowed well and the main character was likable and learned a good lesson.
This book was cute. The pictures were bright and colorful. The story flowed well and the main character was likable and learned a good lesson.
October 26, 2022
Extremely true moral to this story!
You just can't try to make everyone happy.
The only downside is that it doesn't parse out the difference between critiques which should be ignored, and accepting critiques which will help you to improve your skills.
You just can't try to make everyone happy.
The only downside is that it doesn't parse out the difference between critiques which should be ignored, and accepting critiques which will help you to improve your skills.
January 2, 2020
4 stars for Lucy and her true friend
January 3, 2020
Lucy's creative confidence is challenged by several opinionated critics.
January 14, 2020
Lucy the artist is taking criticism for her art from everyone so she just keeps changing her art but is that what is best for her art and herself. Nice theme of finding oneself. Elementary and up
June 28, 2020
My favourite book by Eugenie Fernandes. Love the illustrations and the message.
December 16, 2019
This is a breathtaking tale. It’s art work is stunning and the message behind it is so cleverly built among the funny stuff that my children listened to the whole thing. They laughed and begged to hear it again. And as a mother, I’m happy to have them reading books with such great messages of self confidence, self awareness and love for your own voice. I would definitely recommend this book.
February 26, 2020
A very "different" thought process behind the story, but it greatly encourages children to go beyond the normal thinking of how art works, and use their imaginations to have fun and explore new worlds.
December 13, 2019
Love the illustrations...
April 6, 2020
Thank you Netgally and the author for the gifted of this children's book. All thoughts and opinions are completely my own.
After receiving a full e-copy of Finding Lucy I am here to change my review. This adorable story of a little girl who just wants to paint had me on a world wind of emotions.
I went from feeling sad to happy and then overjoyed for Lucy at the end of the book.
If you're looking for a cute meaningful read for your child(ren) I highly suggest this one.
5 star read *****
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews