In her third book, Lola has a new baby brother. Lulu learns how to help take care of Leo - and how better than by sharing her love of reading? "Lola holds her best bear story while Mummy feeds him." |
What people are saying. . .
Lulu and her family are unashamedly open and positive role models, and this book will be seized upon by parents of young children and libraries. The bright, colourful illustrations help to keep the mood upbeat. Perfect for when a new sibling arrives – Irish Examiner |
Parents in Touch
Lulu has a new baby brother and she reads him stories when he gets upset. But Lulu still finds plenty of time for her own reading as luckily Zeki sleeps a lot. Lulu is a wonderful advocate for the joy of reading - she absolutely adores books and hopefully will inspire lots of other young children to do the same. We see a loving family and a delightful toddler through the colourful illustrations. Every library and school should have a copy to encourage young readers to love books. Peters Library Service Delightfully warm text with a very pro-books-and-reading message. Multicultural illustrations add to the charm. EYA (Early Years Educator) What a great advocate Lulu is for reading and for instilling a love of books in children and young readers. Lulu is a beautiful little girl who has a book for every occasion and every problem, a read bookworm who loves her stories. Her new baby brother cries a lot and her way of helping him when he is upset is to read him one of her favourite stories. This is the perfect book to buy for a child aged from two to six-years-old who is expecting, or has already got, a new baby brother or sister. An excellent option to increase the number of books supporting cultural diversity in your library. School Library Journal Following on from the widely acclaimed success of two earlier books about the busily reading and book-keen young Lola, this new venture tell here with a beautiful simplicity, the tale of Lola's reading to her new-born brother, Leo. Rosalind Beardshaw's illustrations with their remarkable vitality, make ever more strongly and still more effectively Anna McQuinn's important message about the proper place of reading and books in children's and their families' lives. The roots of reading, along with matters of love and life, are happily married in this bright, uplifting, outstanding and important offering. It will speak loudly to readers well beyond the age of 2. |
Wilesden Bookshop
With lovely illustrations by Rosalind Beardshaw, this is a further tribute to the shared joys of reading and the importance of books to the youngest of children. Kirkus Review Bibliophile Lola has no trouble adjusting to her role as big sister in this warm slice-of-life story about a little girl welcoming her new baby brother. While many new baby books are dominated by an older sibling’s jealousy over an attention-hogging infant, Lola delights in Leo’s arrival. Prior titles about this book-loving child (Lola Loves Stories and Lola at the Library) set the stage for how she engages with Leo —through books, of course. She brings him a “soft book for his crib” when she meets him at the hospital, reads to him when he cries “to cheer him up” and shares theme-appropriate titles during nappy changes (a potty book), baths (a duck story) and naptime (a sleepy story). Although busy adjusting to parenting two children instead of just one, Lola’s mother and father reward her with a story at the end of each day since she is “the best big sister of all.” It’s refreshing to see this time-worn theme addressed in a story that just happens to be about a family comprised of people of color, as warm, acrylic portraits depict mother, father, Lola and Leo as a book-loving, close-knit joyful crew. A welcome edition about a welcome addition. Books for Keeps This is a lovely book to share with the very young, especially those anticipating a rival for their parents’ attention. Lulu’s mum is expecting a baby and in preparation reads her a book about a child in the same boat. Lulu has always been read to and the pattern continues before and after the baby’s arrival. What is highlighted is the enrichment that this life change brings, through the positive responses of Lulu and her family. Lulu models her behaviour on what she herself has experienced and she delights in sharing her love of story with baby brother Zeki, amidst the routine of family life: ‘Sometimes Zeki cries when he needs a new nappy. Lulu reads him her best potty book.’ So while Mum is feeding baby or Dad’s bathing him or putting away the ironing, Lulu’s there with a book or a story to tell. She feels listened to and involved. Mum and Dad are busy with the baby:’ But not too busy to end the day with a story… for the best big sister of all.’ This title has a lot going for it. The text reads very well for the age group and the typeface is clearly set. The illustrations are very well matched to the narrative. It is the characters and their demeanour that catch our eye on each double page spread. Unfussy backgrounds, in slightly muted but warm colours and with just enough detail to contextualise the scene, help to frame the warmth of Lulu’s family life. A good book to help accentuate the positive. Previous ‘Lulu’ titles are Lulu Loves Stories and Lulu Loves the Library. |
We like to include Goodreads and Amazon reviews as these are people who've not been sent review copies and just post for the love of the books!
Lisa Vegan on Goodreads
Wow! I’m surprised that this book doesn’t show as having higher ratings. I loved it. This is the perfect book for families with a child and expecting another child or where there is a younger/baby sibling in the family. I have really liked at least two other Lola books but this one might be my favorite so far. Lola has a loving mother and father and she gets a bedtime story every night. Starting with Lola’s mommy’s pregnancy, Lola starts planning for and giving books to the new baby. When Lola’s brother Leo is born she reads to him and tries to help in other ways. The whole family is busy with Leo but not too busy for Lola’s bedtime story. This is a sweet story about family love. I like that both parents are involved in both children’s care. I love how Lola picks out books to fit the occasion, trying to help Leo feel better when he cries. I love the illustrations. I was thrilled to see a picture of Leo nursing. “It turns out he is just hungry. Lola holds her best bear story while Mommy feeds him. She and Mommy read it together.” It is obvious that Lola is still a very young child. As Leo gets his diaper changed, Lola is sitting on a potty chair, and reading “him her best potty book.” It’s so cute. Family love. Book and reading love. Wonderful! Highly recommended for 2 to 6 year olds who are older siblings, and some older children too. This is designed as a read aloud book but will also be enjoyed by young independent readers. Now, the only negative, as I see it, is that it’s ALL positive. Lola seems to feel absolutely no jealousy and doesn’t seem to have any ambivalent feelings about her new baby brother and her new place in the family. But I guess not every single book with this theme has to address these aspects. There are plenty of books about new babies in the family. I would suggest this be paired with a book that shows the child/children having a wider range of feelings. Kids read this book and no other might think any negative feelings they have are aberrant. With that caveat, this is now on my list of books to give as gifts to children about to be big sisters/big brothers. |
Stefani on Goodreads
This one has the "awww" factor! It's a sweet story about how Lola is read to by mom and dad, then when her baby brother is born, she reads to him. Nothing groundbreaking, but definitely a keeper. Plus, what librarian can resist a book that is so focused on young children and families reading? I especially loved how Lola found similar situations, despite the age difference (Leo gets his diaper changed while she's on the potty). Just cute cute cuteness. Kirsten on Goodreads This is a really sweet little "new baby" book. Lola helps her family get ready for her new brother, Leo, and once he's born, she helps her parents by reading to him as they all go through their day. There are lots of simple images of diaper changing, feeding, sleeping, bath time, nap time, etc. I really like that this book features a black family and normalizes breastfeeding as well. The illustrations are warm and inviting and there are ample opportunities for discussion. SaraLaLa on Goodreads If you're expecting to have a second baby, this would be a cute story to read to the first one. Lola is a soon-to-be big sister of Leo. He is born part way through the story and the family has to change their routine to comfort him. Throughout this story, Lola reads to Leo; a different type of story for each occasion. It's a sweet way to role model how an older sibling should behave. It even gently reminds the parents to not be too busy for their eldest child. |
Longer and more indepth Reviews
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Children's Books Ireland - reviews
The Lulu books always contain references to stories, |