Scarlett & Lucky on Keloland
MITCHELL, S.D. (KELO) — Most 3rd graders’ lives are consumed with school, recess, and chores. However, a Mitchell 3rd grader is doing something that most adults never even imagine accomplishing.
Like many ranch kids, 9-year-old Scarlett Radke does her chores, is in 4-H, and helps take care of bottle calves. However, unlike most ranch kids, Scarlett is a published author.
“Well, I decided to write the book because Lucky came around and we started making some videos about him and he went viral on social media. I don’t even know what that means, and then I decided I would write a book about him because people wanted to know more about Lucky,” says Scarlett Radke.
Scarlett’s mom Amanda is also a published author, with 8 children’s books and a ninth on the way.
“But then when Scarlett was about five, she said, Mom, I want to write books like you. And I said, Well, you know, maybe you need to learn how to read and write first would be step one. So she mastered that skill and, and she’s advanced, you know, from stick figures to being able to really draw pictures,” says Amanda Radke.
When Lucky the Bottle Calf went viral on social media, racking in millions of views on different platforms, the Radkes knew this was Scarlett’s time to finally write and illustrate a book.
“I mean, people were just so excited to see kids out working, doing chores and taking care of this really cute little calf. And I said, Scarlett, this might be your story. I think people are really interested and hungry to learn more about what life is like for a kid living on a ranch,” said Amanda.
“I decided to write a book about him because, one, I wanted to save him from being a steer. And second, because he went viral on social media I thought people might like to learn about him,” says Scarlett.
While Lucky still ended up as a steer, the book tells the story of Lucky’s survival. In February of 2023, Lucky was born prematurely in a snowbank, weighing 40-50 pounds less than what he should have weighed.
“And so I named him Lucky because he was lucky to be alive, because usually when they’re 30 pounds, they don’t even last. They usually die immediately,” says Scarlett.
The book goes on to show the sweet relationship of Scarlett and Lucky, showcasing real-life events that did well on social media.
“I’m scooping Lucky’s poop. Of course, that needs to be done. Every book should have a manure joke, right?” says Scarlett.
“So the one where Lucky pulls the top of the bottle off and the milk goes flying and she’s crying. And the boy, her brothers are laughing hysterically like it was too good not to share, poor Scarlett, but people just thought it was hilarious,” says Amanda.
The book goes on to show the sweet relationship of Scarlett and Lucky, showcasing real-life events that did well on social media.
“I’m scooping Lucky’s poop. Of course, that needs to be done. Every book should have a manure joke, right?” says Scarlett.
“So the one where Lucky pulls the top of the bottle off and the milk goes flying and she’s crying. And the boy, her brothers are laughing hysterically like it was too good not to share, poor Scarlett, but people just thought it was hilarious,” says Amanda.
“So she did her own elementary school and she went across town to Longfellow and we had a school-wide assembly there. She has an invitation to Mt. Vernon and another one in Minnesota. So they just the calls keep coming, I guess, and I’m just the proud mom and chauffeur and I just take her wherever she is,” says Amanda.
Even with the accomplishment of being a published author in the third grade, Scarlett still pitches in around the farm and keeps up with her daily chores.
“Not much different from being a normal nine-year-old,” says Scarlett.
A nine-year-old with a deep love for her bottle calf.