Ladybug Girl

March 3, 2008
Preschooler Lulu, told to amuse herself, mopes about for a bit, then finds that her ladybug costume—red tutu, wings, red polka-dot boots and a headband with antennae—helps her morph into a bigger, braver character. “Is that rock in your way, ants?” she asks. “I can help you! I'm Ladybug Girl!” Similarly heroic deeds follow as Lulu makes the case that, contrary to her older brother's claim, she's not little—she feels “as big as the whole outdoors.” Husband-and-wife team Soman and Davis's first collaboration shows potential. Little girls whose confidence, ambition and dress-up collections outrun their actual ages will recognize themselves in Lulu, and parents may enjoy her, too. The characterization is believable and the visual pacing solid, and the family's basset hound, his movements echoing Lulu's, serves as a likable foil. The chatty text, however, often explains what's already shown, and the narrative perspective sometimes appears to waver between adult and child (“Lulu can't read yet, but she knows her letters. She finds a lot of L's”). Ages 4-up.

March 1, 2008
K-Gr 2-Informed that she's on her own for the morning, Lulu, aka Ladybug Girl, and her basset hound glower mutinously at her room full of toys and clutter ("There's nothing to do") before heading outside. There, in her first dazzling act of heroism, Ladybug Girl removes a rock from the path of a long line of ants. With loyal Bingo at her side, she bravely goes into shark-infested waters (a puddle), builds an impenetrable fortress (a crumbling stone wall), and briefly considers how small and insignificant her brother and the other big boys (who won't let her play baseball) seem. When Mama calls her home, she "flies down the hill with her wings bobbing behind her." "Feeling as big as the whole outdoors," Ladybug Girl hurries home to tell about her busy morning. Readers' eyes are inexorably drawn to Lulu's red ladybug costume, which sets off the subdued earth tones, both in and outside of her house. Winning touches include Bingo's floppy ears almost audibly flapping in the mid-morning breeze and Lulu's steely gaze throughout her adventure. Simple sentences throughout the story usually express just one thought or directive at a time, usually in just one sentence per page. A super book for lap-sits and storyhours."Catherine Threadgill, Charleston County Public Library, SC"

Copyright 2008 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

April 1, 2008
Festively dressed in red-and-black polka-dot wings, a red tutu, and antennas, Lulu is Ladybug Girl, and shes ready for fun. Her parents, though, are busy, and her brother says that shes too little to play with him and his friends. Venturing outside, accompanied by basset hound Bingo, Lulumakes upher own gameslifting rocks to help ants, making a fortand discovers that she feels as big as the whole outdoors. This picture book will resonate with little ones, who, like Lulu, know the rewards of letting the imagination looseand finding new perspectives. The well-paced text effectively captures Lulus emotions and young voice, as dothe colorful, detailed watercolor-ink illustrations that show Lulu's shifts from sighing disappointmentto spunky exuberance. Witty touches, including expressive Bingo, add to the books appeal. An entertaining, positive story that shows how everyday activities can inspire creativity, fun, and self-confidence.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2008, American Library Association.)