Another winning addition—Lolo is indeed a star!
Bright-spirited Lolo is as curious, kind, and helpful as ever in this third installment in her eponymous series.
Lolo, who presents as Black, lives with her mama and doting grandmother—Gogo—in South Africa. In four episodic chapters, Lolo mixes up a treat for Mama in “Lolo’s Special Soup”; seeks a noisy monster in “Lolo’s Scary Night”; teaches Gogo about gardening in “Lolo’s Snail Garden”; and goes on a seemingly unending adventure with Gogo in “Lolo’s Holiday.” Readers will relate to Lolo’s earnest attempts to be helpful, her sad and fearful moments, and her excitement at being able to teach Gogo something she learned in school (which is racially integrated). When Mr. Speedy can only take them part of the way home after their holiday visit with Aunty Boni, Gogo sticks out her thumb to obtain a ride with a minibus full of choir members on their way to a church meeting. A fruit-and-vegetable cart drawn by a donkey concludes their eventful trip, which leaves Lolo “floppy-schloppy-tired” and happy to see Mama at the door. This final chapter presents adult readers, particularly teachers, with the opportunity to start conversations on how transportation can be different from country to country, imparting a cross-cultural exploration. Though not an #ownvoices book, this, like the others in the Lolo series, is drawn tenderly and told in a way that honors the characters and their culture.
Another winning addition—Lolo is indeed a star! (Fiction. 5-8)Pub Date: May 11, 2021
ISBN: 978-1-946395-51-1
Page Count: 96
Publisher: Catalyst Press
Review Posted Online: April 13, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 1, 2021
A nicely inventive little morality “tail” for newly independent readers.
Two little rats decide to show the world how tough they are, with unpredictable results.
Louie and Ralphie Ratso want to be just like their single dad, Big Lou: tough! They know that “tough” means doing mean things to other animals, like stealing Chad Badgerton’s hat. Chad Badgerton is a big badger, so taking that hat from him proves that Louie and Ralphie are just as tough as they want to be. However, it turns out that Louie and Ralphie have just done a good deed instead of a bad one: Chad Badgerton had taken that hat from little Tiny Crawley, a mouse, so when Tiny reclaims it, they are celebrated for goodness rather than toughness. Sadly, every attempt Louie and Ralphie make at doing mean things somehow turns nice. What’s a little boy rat supposed to do to be tough? Plus, they worry about what their dad will say when he finds out how good they’ve been. But wait! Maybe their dad has some other ideas? LaReau keeps the action high and completely appropriate for readers embarking on chapter books. Each of the first six chapters features a new, failed attempt by Louie and Ralphie to be mean, and the final, seventh chapter resolves everything nicely. The humor springs from their foiled efforts and their reactions to their failures. Myers’ sprightly grayscale drawings capture action and characters and add humorous details, such as the Ratsos’ “unwelcome” mat.
A nicely inventive little morality “tail” for newly independent readers. (Fiction. 5-8)Pub Date: Aug. 2, 2016
ISBN: 978-0-7636-7636-0
Page Count: 64
Publisher: Candlewick
Review Posted Online: May 3, 2016
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 15, 2016
Supportive messages all children need to hear.
The world is lucky you’re here.
In gentle verse, this book delivers a quiet yet powerfully uplifting message: You’re special; you’re wonderful; you’re endowed with remarkable talents. You’re uniquely, unmistakably, unequivocally YOU, so don’t be afraid to go out and conquer the world. Gifts you don’t know about yet are ready to blossom; possibilities you haven’t begun to dream about are looming; roads you haven’t yet begun to explore lie before you! This is heady, empowering stuff. The encouraging proposals herein will boost children’s esteem when their spirits are flagging. Richmond reminds readers that the world’s waiting for them—to voice their ideas and opinions, to be the very best versions of themselves, and to do good for others. Some ideas may be a bit too lofty for children; adults might have to help explain things occasionally. Generally, though, kids should get the point that the world awaits them, that they’re special, and that they should aim to be the best they can be. The book will also make a fine gift for baby showers and new parents. Appealing illustrations, created with graphite pencil and digital methods, have an idyllic sweetness, depicting racially diverse characters putting on a play, spending time in nature, and more. Typefaces occasionally vary to highlight particular concepts.
Supportive messages all children need to hear. (Picture book. 5-8)Pub Date: Sept. 3, 2024
ISBN: 9781728291529
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky
Review Posted Online: May 31, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2024
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