Lulu Loves the Library - what the critics are saying
Booktrust’s Best Book Guide
An excellent preparatory picture book for those ready to make their first trip to the library... McQuinn and Beardshaw radiate enthusiasm for libraries in every bright and energetic page of this book, and expertly defuse a toddler’s initial nervousness about a new experience.
Recommended Title ~
Letterbox Library
A bright narrative and sumptuous illustrations make this a real joy for booklovers everywhere.
The Bookseller Children’s Buyer’s Guide - Annie Everall
A joyful exploration of books, libraries and sharing stories as Lulu and her mum make their regular visit to the library. This should be available in every library and children’s centre.
Curled Up with a Good Kid’s Book
This charming story introduces kids to little Lulu, a girl who discovers the joys of going to the library, getting to choose her own books, take them home then go back for more - all with nothing more than a library card... Kids will relate to little Lulu... and adults will appreciate the encouragement this book offers to little future readers everywhere... Read this book to your child, then take them to the library and get them a card of their own. You’ll be glad you did!
Black Heritage Today
“Highly Recommended.”
Books for Keeps No. 164
The message here is simple, direct, and a vitally important advocacy for libraries, the fun and enjoyment of a visit to the library being conveyed more in the bold, bright pictures painted from Lulu’s viewpoint. All young children should have a weekly library experience just like Lulu... It's vital for all children to see characters portrayed who look similar to themselves: that Lulu, the central character in this story is black, is therefore particularly welcome.
Jill Bennet
Tuesday is a special day for preschool, Lulu; it’s the day when she visits the library with her mummy. She takes her special library card and her books to return. At the library Lulu chooses some new, exciting books and joins others for storytime. Then on the way home her mummy takes her to a cafe. Bedtime is special too; that’s when Lulu snuggles up and mummy reads her a
story – what better way to end the day? The message here is simple, direct and a vitally important advocacy for libraries, the fun and enjoyment of a visit to the library being conveyed particularly strongly in the bold, bright pictures painted from Lulu’s viewpoint.
The audio CD has the story in English and 18 (community languages) and also includes the favourite nursery rhyme, ‘Twinkle, Twinkle’ to sing along to. It’s especially good to
see dads among the story tellers.
School Library Association
“Well, this has to be a useful addition to stock!... Mum and Lulu read together at bedtime, because it’s fun: there’s no preaching here, just a really encouraging story with bright and lively illustrations. This is a delightful book for children and alos one to bear in mind for talks to parents.”
National Parenting Publications Awards
Honours Medal in the Pre-school category -
School Library Journal
“Perfect for instilling a love of libraries and books in the youngest of patrons, it’s a winner.”
Kirkus Reviews
This eager, happy toddler gives readers a complete tour of a conventional visit to the library... Beardshaw’s vividly coloured acrylic paintings of a mother and child’s morning outing in their racially mixed neighbourhood complements the classic library scenes charged with a child’s vibrant enthusiasm. The simple, significant message will ring true for every librarian, teacher, caregiver and parent as the day concludes with Lulu’s nightly bedtime story. Everyone should begin and end the day with a good book.”
Oakland PL. Bay
...As young as she is, she knows and loves the routine. In fact, she and her Mum have made it more than a routine, its a celebratory ritual... As an introduction to the library, it’s both comforting and informative without being didactic. The flow of the text is enhanced by the joy of the illustrations, done in acrylic on paper. Especially precious is the picture of the four young children listening avidly to the librarian read a story.
Teaching Tolerance
... for anyone who simply thrills at the thought of abuilding full of books.
Jackie Braun, The Flint Journal
It’s a great introduction to a wonderful institution, especially for preschoolers.
Rosalind Beardshaw’s acrylic-on-paper illustrations are adorable.
Yellow Brick Road
...The charming Lulu and the gentle praise of literacy make this book special.
Armadillo Magazine
This book is a useful addition to the book world in this day when libraries are threatened with closure. There have been story books before based on library visits but this one is especially good. It is a happy, optimistic story, showing the expectation and pleasure of Lulu's library visit throughout, beginning with her waking up her mother on library day. It continues in a fun and appealing fashion with good use of language- 'the librarian buzzes the books through the machine'.
The author feeds in positive messages, such as walking to the library, Mummy borrowing books, the library being fun with story times and even singing. It shows this library visit as a small but highly important part of the day, and continues the experience with a trip to a coffee shop where Lulu is allowed to taste the froth on her mummy's coffee. As many libraries now have coffee shops this presents another facet of a library visit.
There is fun in the lively brightly coloured illustrations. The bedroom clock shows 6 o’clock as the time Lulu wakes her mother on library day! The story ends cosily with a bedtime story for Lulu and points out that a new story may be fun but an old favourite can sometimes be the best way to end the day.
In addition to the book a CD is provided which tells this story in many languages, giving a little information about the readers and their backgrounds. It also presents library information - an enjoyable multi cultural experience for all.
This is a most worthwhile book which should be in all libraries, schools and would be a welcome addition to many homes. I truly recommend it.
An excellent preparatory picture book for those ready to make their first trip to the library... McQuinn and Beardshaw radiate enthusiasm for libraries in every bright and energetic page of this book, and expertly defuse a toddler’s initial nervousness about a new experience.
Recommended Title ~
Letterbox Library
A bright narrative and sumptuous illustrations make this a real joy for booklovers everywhere.
The Bookseller Children’s Buyer’s Guide - Annie Everall
A joyful exploration of books, libraries and sharing stories as Lulu and her mum make their regular visit to the library. This should be available in every library and children’s centre.
Curled Up with a Good Kid’s Book
This charming story introduces kids to little Lulu, a girl who discovers the joys of going to the library, getting to choose her own books, take them home then go back for more - all with nothing more than a library card... Kids will relate to little Lulu... and adults will appreciate the encouragement this book offers to little future readers everywhere... Read this book to your child, then take them to the library and get them a card of their own. You’ll be glad you did!
Black Heritage Today
“Highly Recommended.”
Books for Keeps No. 164
The message here is simple, direct, and a vitally important advocacy for libraries, the fun and enjoyment of a visit to the library being conveyed more in the bold, bright pictures painted from Lulu’s viewpoint. All young children should have a weekly library experience just like Lulu... It's vital for all children to see characters portrayed who look similar to themselves: that Lulu, the central character in this story is black, is therefore particularly welcome.
Jill Bennet
Tuesday is a special day for preschool, Lulu; it’s the day when she visits the library with her mummy. She takes her special library card and her books to return. At the library Lulu chooses some new, exciting books and joins others for storytime. Then on the way home her mummy takes her to a cafe. Bedtime is special too; that’s when Lulu snuggles up and mummy reads her a
story – what better way to end the day? The message here is simple, direct and a vitally important advocacy for libraries, the fun and enjoyment of a visit to the library being conveyed particularly strongly in the bold, bright pictures painted from Lulu’s viewpoint.
The audio CD has the story in English and 18 (community languages) and also includes the favourite nursery rhyme, ‘Twinkle, Twinkle’ to sing along to. It’s especially good to
see dads among the story tellers.
School Library Association
“Well, this has to be a useful addition to stock!... Mum and Lulu read together at bedtime, because it’s fun: there’s no preaching here, just a really encouraging story with bright and lively illustrations. This is a delightful book for children and alos one to bear in mind for talks to parents.”
National Parenting Publications Awards
Honours Medal in the Pre-school category -
School Library Journal
“Perfect for instilling a love of libraries and books in the youngest of patrons, it’s a winner.”
Kirkus Reviews
This eager, happy toddler gives readers a complete tour of a conventional visit to the library... Beardshaw’s vividly coloured acrylic paintings of a mother and child’s morning outing in their racially mixed neighbourhood complements the classic library scenes charged with a child’s vibrant enthusiasm. The simple, significant message will ring true for every librarian, teacher, caregiver and parent as the day concludes with Lulu’s nightly bedtime story. Everyone should begin and end the day with a good book.”
Oakland PL. Bay
...As young as she is, she knows and loves the routine. In fact, she and her Mum have made it more than a routine, its a celebratory ritual... As an introduction to the library, it’s both comforting and informative without being didactic. The flow of the text is enhanced by the joy of the illustrations, done in acrylic on paper. Especially precious is the picture of the four young children listening avidly to the librarian read a story.
Teaching Tolerance
... for anyone who simply thrills at the thought of abuilding full of books.
Jackie Braun, The Flint Journal
It’s a great introduction to a wonderful institution, especially for preschoolers.
Rosalind Beardshaw’s acrylic-on-paper illustrations are adorable.
Yellow Brick Road
...The charming Lulu and the gentle praise of literacy make this book special.
Armadillo Magazine
This book is a useful addition to the book world in this day when libraries are threatened with closure. There have been story books before based on library visits but this one is especially good. It is a happy, optimistic story, showing the expectation and pleasure of Lulu's library visit throughout, beginning with her waking up her mother on library day. It continues in a fun and appealing fashion with good use of language- 'the librarian buzzes the books through the machine'.
The author feeds in positive messages, such as walking to the library, Mummy borrowing books, the library being fun with story times and even singing. It shows this library visit as a small but highly important part of the day, and continues the experience with a trip to a coffee shop where Lulu is allowed to taste the froth on her mummy's coffee. As many libraries now have coffee shops this presents another facet of a library visit.
There is fun in the lively brightly coloured illustrations. The bedroom clock shows 6 o’clock as the time Lulu wakes her mother on library day! The story ends cosily with a bedtime story for Lulu and points out that a new story may be fun but an old favourite can sometimes be the best way to end the day.
In addition to the book a CD is provided which tells this story in many languages, giving a little information about the readers and their backgrounds. It also presents library information - an enjoyable multi cultural experience for all.
This is a most worthwhile book which should be in all libraries, schools and would be a welcome addition to many homes. I truly recommend it.
