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(3)
PS
Illustrated by
Rosalind Beardshaw.
Lola (Lola at the Library, etc.) has a successful first day of school in which she reads stories, enjoys snack time, and plays with classmates. As in the other books about this energetic, confident heroine, Lola expands her world by building on earlier experiences (e.g., she compares school to storytime at the library). Cheerful, bright illustrations invite the listener into Lola's special day.
(3)
PS
Illustrated by
Rosalind Beardshaw.
Young Clara wants to be a proper Christmas tree fairy, but every time she tries to hold still at school she sings, dances, or laughs instead. Just as Clara's given up hope, Santa solicits her help for the Christmas show, which needs a special fairy just like her. The rhyming text's lilting quality keeps the story light and jovial alongside jewel-toned mixed-media illustrations.
(3)
PS
Illustrated by
Rosalind Beardshaw.
Lola wants a cat, but first she must learn about them in books and practice with toy cats. When Mommy thinks Lola's ready, Lola visits a shelter, where one special kitty picks her. McQuinn's fifth series entry (Lola at the Library, et al.) concludes with Lola and cat Makeda learning how to be friends. Beardshaw's warm acrylic illustrations complete this simple, sweet story.
(4)
K-3
Illustrated by
Rosalind Beardshaw.
Young Betty, who's "always in a muddle," has trouble mastering basic fairy skills such as sprinkling dewdrops. However, because she's kind to other creatures, they return the favor and she wins the title of "Fairiest Fairy" after all. The mixed-media illustrations portray the fairies-in-training not as ethereal but as typical sneaker-wearing, pig-tailed, bespectacled schoolchildren (with wings), which helps offset the rhyming text's saccharine tone.
(3)
PS
Illustrated by
Rosalind Beardshaw.
Focusing on different body parts ("Flappy ears, / zappy ears, / everyone has happy ears"), the lively rhyming book follows toddlers and their animal counterparts waking up, washing up, eating, dancing, playing, and going to sleep. The musical tone of the text is easy to recite, and young children will enjoy the sunny, whimsical illustrations of tots and baby animals joyfully playing together.
(3)
K-3
Illustrated by
Rosalind Beardshaw.
Tucked inside his blue suitcase are all Dog's special treasures and everything he thinks he needs to be happy. Then he spends the day playing with Mouse and discovers he needs something--or someone--more. The expressive mixed-media illustrations help readers appreciate Dog's change of heart as he invites Mouse into his life in this charming story of friendship.
(3)
PS
Illustrated by
Rosalind Beardshaw.
Book-loving Lola (Lola at the Library) wants to plant a garden. Naturally, she and her mom go to the library to research flowers before planting the seeds. When the flowers are finally blooming, Lola invites her friends to enjoy their beauty as well as her mom's homegrown strawberries. Good-natured Lola's latest story, with its gentle art and appropriately simple text, will appeal to her fans.
(4)
PS
Illustrated by
Rosalind Beardshaw.
Whether one is feeling left out, sad, or shy, there are three little words that can improve the situation: "I love you." The homey mixed-media illustrations show a variety of appealing woodland creatures dealing with losing a race, being teased, or having scary dreams; each is comforted by those words. Though the concept is simplistic and overly familiar, the rhyming text is pleasant.
(4)
PS
Translated by Yanitzia Canetti.
Illustrated by
Rosalind Beardshaw.
This Spanish-language edition of Lola Reads to Leo brings the endearing tale of story-loving siblings to a new set of readers. Some of the charm of the original rhythm is lost in translation, but overall, the calm sentences continue to lead children through the simple plot with a light hand. Beardshaw's warm acrylics keep this book cozy in any language.
(4)
PS
Illustrated by
Rosalind Beardshaw.
A mole looks to other animals for tips on fatherhood, but his wife assures him he needn't fly like a bird or swim like a duck to make their children happy. "Our babies only need. . . love." The ending for this comical story is a bit drawn out, but the jaunty illustrations, with their many different animal babies, do have child appeal.
(2)
K-3
Illustrated by
Rosalind Beardshaw.
A king asks his sewing maids to make a red cloak for the princess for Christmas. A kitchen maid makes her mother a jacket with scraps from the cloth. A badger uses leftovers to make his pa a hat, and the cycle continues as the fabric is used by tinier and tinier kingdom inhabitants. Black's story of thoughtful gift-giving is well paired with Beardshaw's jovial mixed-media art.
Reviewer: Katrina Hedeen
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
November, 2012
(3)
PS
Illustrated by
Rosalind Beardshaw.
As Lola's latest outing begins, she's on the brink of big-sisterhood; after her brother is born, he monopolizes much of their parents' time, although Lola is never without a smile and an offer of help. The sibling dynamic may seem idealistic, but McQuinn makes it endearing; Beardshaw's acrylics, which depict nursing, diaper changing, and potty sitting, are homey and sweet.
(4)
K-3
Illustrated by
Rosalind Beardshaw.
In this slim story, Little Fox and his father, taking a walk one spring day, see other animals building nests or clearing out holes. Little Fox speculates about living high in a nest or deep underground, but ultimately he and his father decide to build their own new den. Warm-hearted illustrations of smiling foxes and other furry creatures have some appeal.
(3)
PS
Illustrated by
Rosalind Beardshaw.
In this companion to Lola at the Library, Lola checks out books on Saturdays. Each day thereafter her parents read to her, and the stories inspire Lola as she plays: she becomes a princess, an adventurer, a tiger, etc. McQuinn's straightforward text is ideal for group sharing. Beardshaw's round-edged acrylic illustrations effectively depict a child's real world--and her imaginary ones.
40 pp.
| Golden
| September, 2009
|
TradeISBN 978-0-375-84181-1$15.99
|
LibraryISBN 978-0-375-94351-5$18.99
(4)
PS
Illustrated by
Rosalind Beardshaw.
A boy describes his baby sister's use of the self-coined word shwatsit and his ultimately successful quest to derive its meaning. The story, based on the author's own childhood, has humor and heart, if not the most original rhymes ("'Shwatsit' this and 'shwatsit' that! / 'Shwatsit' dog and 'shwatsit' cat!"). The bright illustrations depict a tight-knit, loving family.
32 pp.
| Scholastic/Cartwheel
| January, 2008
|
TradeISBN 978-0-545-03408-1$9.99
(4)
PS
Illustrated by
Rosalind Beardshaw.
A mother and child fox contemplate the sky's unending expanse as autumn leaves fall, bees and birds fly, a rainbow appears, the sun sets, and the moon rises. Though the text grows stale, the illustrations effectively change from day scenes into night, culminating with the sheen of numerous stars against a dark-blue sky.
40 pp.
| Golden
| January, 2007
|
TradeISBN 978-0-375-83540-7$14.99
|
LibraryISBN 978-0-375-93540-4$17.99
(3)
PS
Illustrated by
Rosalind Beardshaw.
When night falls, a cow cannot resist the urge to give long slurpy kisses across the foreheads of little ones fast asleep. The result: untamably wacky morning bedhead. A short but lively rhyming text and cozy, muted acrylics make a good read-aloud that offers an entertaining explanation for the spiky cowlick.
(3)
PS
Illustrated by
Rosalind Beardshaw.
In this amiable picture book, Lola and her mother visit the public library each Tuesday for a morning of stories, songs, and book borrowing. A snack at a café and the walk home complete the ritual. Beardshaw's cozy paintings, with their soft edges and bright colors, convey Lola's love for her mother and their library visits.
32 pp.
| Barron's
| June, 2005
|
TradeISBN 0-7641-5824-4$12.95
(4)
PS
Illustrated by
Rosalind Beardshaw.
Wishing to feel like a prince on his birthday, Snog the Frog sets out in search of a kiss. But no one wants to humor him--until he meets a princess. Though her pucker fails to turn Snog into a prince, he does feel like one. The painterly illustrations add some charm to this anticlimatic story.
32 pp.
| Bloomsbury
| March, 2003
|
TradeISBN 1-58234-777-8$$15.95
(3)
K-3
Illustrated by
Rosalind Beardshaw.
While Fran is terribly busy making something for her "best friend," her dog, Fred, pesters her to take him out to play. Despairing, he gives up and slinks over to his bed. Fran finishes her surprise and presents it to the intended recipient, Fred. Bright illustrations joyfully complement the reassuring story.