Absolutely One Thing

Absolutely One Thing. Lauren Child. 2016. Candlewick. 32 pages. [Source: Review copy]

First sentence: I have this little sister, Lola. She is small and very funny. Sometimes for a treat, Mom says, "We are going to the store and you may choose one thing." "One thing EACH," I say, "or ONE thing between two?" And Mom says, "Each."

Premise/plot: Charlie and Lola are brother and sister. Charlie takes great care of his little sister. And he's surprisingly very patient, very kind, very tender with her. Lola is without a doubt a handful! In this new book, Charlie and Lola are going to the store. If they can get ready and out the door. If LOLA can get ready and out the door that is. Nothing goes quite as planned with these two... Which gives the author plenty of opportunity to sneak some math lessons into the story itself.

For example:

It takes me three minutes to brush my teeth, one minute to remember that I have forgotten to eat breakfast, four minutes to eat my puffa pops, three minutes to brush my teeth again and eight minutes to find Lola's left shoe. That makes us nine minutes late.

My thoughts: I love, love, love, LOVE Charlie and Lola. I thought I had made peace with the idea of there being no more new Charlie and Lola books. So I was surprised and thrilled to see a new one being published! This book is FUN and delightful. It is a very strong addition to the series. It isn't just an adaptation of a TV episode, a somewhat weaker imitation of Lauren Child's beloved characters. This book captures the heart and soul of what makes this series great.

Text: 5 out of 5
Illustrations: 5 out of 5
Total: 10 out of 10


© 2016 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

But Excuse Me That Is MY Book

Today I am reviewing one of the newer books in one of my favorite series. I absolutely fell in love with the characters of Charlie and Lola created by Lauren Child several years ago. In their first book, I WILL NOT EVER EAT A TOMATO, Charlie must help his sister Lola, who is a picky eater, overcome some of her issues with food. In their second book, I AM NOT SLEEPY AND I WILL NOT GO TO BED, Charlie must help put Lola, who is rather stubborn, to bed. Their third book, perhaps my favorite because it was the first one that I discovered, was called I AM TOO ABSOLUTELY SMALL FOR SCHOOL. Charlie must help Lola overcome her going-to-school jitters. Each of the books were fun, creative, and had a way of combining illustrations and text that were memorable and ever-so-charming. (Child does her own illustrations.) After the release of the third book, I discovered a new program. Someone had brought Charlie and Lola to life as a cartoon show on a cable network! Now with the success of the show, Charlie and Lola books are abundant with several hardback and paperback books being published each year.

Child, Lauren. 2006. But Excuse Me That Is My Book.

When their father tells Charlie and Lola that he is taking them to the library, this brother and sister team are happy. Lola has it all figured out. Today she will check out her favorite book in the whole world. It doesn't matter that she's checked this book out time and time and time again in the past. It is her favorite and her best. "But Charlie, Beetles, Bugs, and Butterflies is a very special book that is my favorite and I really need it. Now. Now. Now. Now. Now!" But when the pair arrive at the library, Lola is in for quite a shock. She discovers her book is "lost" and "completely not there!" Charlie, ever-patient, reminds her that this is a library and that lots of people check out books. But Lola is convinced that Beetles, Bugs, and Butterflies is HER book. Can Charlie convince her that she might like another book just as much? Or will this library trip turn into a disastrous fit? Funny as ever, Child once again illustrates a valuable lesson that relates with children everywhere.

http://www.milkmonitor.com/
http://www.charlieandlola.com/