Slovenian author Plohl's picture book introduces young readers to the Paralympic Games. Lucas, a lion, is physically disabled due to a ladder accident that injured his spine. Lucas loves sports and meets Eddie, a jaguar, who is also disabled and introduces Lucas to the Paralympics. Like the Olympics, the Paralympic Games occur every four years, and physically disabled world-class athletes compete in events like para swimming, goalball, and wheelchair basketball. Plohl blends the story of Lucas and Eddie visiting each event with facts about the Paralympics: the origin and history of the games, rules about how each event is played, and the type of equipment the athletes use. Plohl also fell from a ladder and became paraplegic, like the character Lucas, and his book raises awareness for children about physical disabilities. Illustrations by Slovenian artist Šonc are brightly colored with cartoon animals that pop off the page. Pair with Nari Hong's Days with Dad (2017) for a storytime featuring autobiographical stories that help demonstrate to children all the many talents of those who use wheelchairs.

The anthropomorphic lion star of Lucas Makes a Comeback (2021) and his friend attend the Paralympic Games in this Slovenian import.While riding his handcycle, Lucas, a lion whose hind legs were paralyzed in an accident, befriends a fellow feline handcyclist. Two years later, the friends fly "halfway around the world" for the Summer Paralympics. There, creatures of various species-who hail from over 100 countries and whose disabilities range from blindness to limb difference-compete in such sports as goalball, para swimming, sitting volleyball, and wheelchair rugby. Simple, matter-of-fact text explains adaptations that enable the athletes to play, such as the bell-equipped balls that guide goalball's blind or partially blind players. In slightly more complex language, sidebars on each page provide further information about various sports as well as the history of the Paralympics; these feature Lopert's fine-lined illustrations of humans in action. Å onc's bright cartoons energetically convey the athletes' emotions, which range from concentration and joy to frustration. Sympathetically acknowledging disappointment while remaining upbeat, Plohl, himself paraplegic, explains that though a scowling swimmer sans medal "just wanted to be alone," he also "knew he would feel better tomorrow." In a somewhat abrupt ending, Lucas plans to practice for the next Paralympics in four years, and the Winter Paralympics are briefly explained.A cheery and informative introduction to the Paralympic Games. (Picture book. 5-8)

PreS-K With an all-animal cast, almost all of them with one or more visible physical disabilities, this story follows Lucas, a lion, and his friend Eddie, a tiger, two avid paraplegic cyclists who go to the Summer Paralympics together and cheer on friends in the events. The text explains how different sporting events work, with side bubbles explaining more complex terminology and featuring humans with those disabilities. Å onc's brightly colored illustrations depict a variety of anthropomorphic animals happily competing in the events, from blind running and goalball to para swimming, sitting volleyball, para archery, and more. Additional text and sidebars at the end explain the events of the Winter Paralympics. Plohl, disabled following a spinal injury, provides accessible explanations that, at least in translation, celebrate paralympic athletes without sentimentality or pity, while Å onc's illustrations make the basics of the sports clear. VERDICT A thoughtful and educational addition to the picture book canon, and a necessary purchase for all libraries. Kelsey Socha, Westfield Athenaeum, Westfield, MA