Anna McQuinn

Originally published in Britain as Lulu Loves the Library (oddly enough, listed on my copy's colophon as Layla Loves the Library), this adorable picture-book for younger children follows the eponymous Lola (here in the states, anyway), as she and her mother head to the library for their weekly Tuesday visit. From selecting interesting books (Lola likes stories about bears, and about shoes) to singing and story-time (she knows the words and hand movements for Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star), show more Lola loves everything about the library! The aftermath of their visit, in which Lola and Mommy get a treat, is fun, but the best of all is bedtime story-hour, when Mommy reads some of Lola's new library books to her...

With a simple text - no more than a sentence or two per page - and colorful acrylic illustrations that capture the joy of Lola's day, Lola at the Library is a delightful book, one ideally suited to introducing very young children to the pleasures of the library. I don't entirely understand (as per usual) why it was necessary to change the title of this book, when bringing it over from the UK, but leaving that issue aside, this is one I would wholeheartedly recommend to all young library-lovers, and to their parents! I myself was pleasantly reminded of my own weekly trips to the library as a girl - it was Saturdays for me! - a tradition I have kept up to this day. "Library Day" is always a happy day! show less

Author/illustrator team Anna McQuinn and Rosalind Beardshaw return in this, their second charming picture-book about a little girl named Lola (Lulu in the original British editions), and her love of books and stories. In Lola at the Library, our toddler heroine accompanied her mother on a weekly Tuesday visit to the library. Here, in Lola Loves Stories, she accompanies her father to the library on Saturday (lucky little girl, to get two library visits per week!), and imagines herself into show more every story read to her, becoming everything from a fairy princess to a farmer.

Children who love story-hour, and like to play make-believe, will recognize themselves in Lola, and enjoy her many flights of fancy. The father-daughter bond is beautifully evoked here, just as the mother-daughter bond was in the first book. The accompanying acrylic illustrations are colorful and cute, perfectly suited to the simple narrative. All in all, a worthy sequel, and one that has left me anticipating Lola's next adventure! The question is, when will Lulu/Lola Reads to Zaki be coming out, here in the US...? show less

Adorable. I love the art that surrounds Lola with cats and emphasizes the warmth and sense of security and reliability Lola's family gives her, and that she is dedicated to giving to her cat. A good book to prepare a preschooler for getting a pet, but also for when you just want something cozy.

Library copy

Such a sweet title in the Leo and Lola series. Shows Leo getting ready to go to the doctor, and some of the things he experiences while he's at the clinic. The last thing is a shot, but the title doesn't dwell on it. I loved that it was Leo's dad who took him to his check-up.