Ladybug Girl and the Big Snow

July 15, 2013
A heavy snowfall offers a blank canvas for Ladybug Girl’s imagination, as well as some frustrations. Bundled up in a many-layered winter version of her trademark ladybug outfit, Lulu explores the yard, tries to build a snow castle, and invents pretend games involving snow giants and dragons. However, snow can be cold, unwieldy, and difficult to navigate, and Soman and Davis highlight the value of perseverance as setbacks threaten to dampen Lulu’s spirits (and clothing). Some of Lulu’s successes owe a bit too heavily to “winter magic” rather than her own efforts, but her seventh picture book should have fans watching the skies for first snowflakes. Ages 3–5.

July 15, 2013
In the latest adventure in the popular Ladybug Girl series, Lulu and her basset hound, Bingo, enjoy a day of play outside in freshly fallen snow. Lulu sets off for a winter ramble in her customary all-red clothing, coordinated from her ladybug-antenna earmuffs to her polka-dot boots. At first, she and Bingo romp through the snow in casual play, but then Ladybug Girl shifts into superhero mode and finds her own challenges in creating a snow-castle sculpture and attempting to plow through deep snow to climb a hill. When Lulu and Bingo reach the top of the hill, they find that their attempted snow sculpture looks just like Bingo. Lulu's older brother is impressed with the quality of her sculpture, and they create more snow animals before returning home together. The story incorporates creative, dramatic ideas into Lulu's outdoor play that will appeal to young children's imaginations. Soman's appealing watercolor-and-ink illustrations enhance Lulu's spunky personality as well as that of her faithful companion, and his snow-covered scenes with hazy blue shadows capture the frosty feel of outdoor play in winter months. A fine choice for young readers on a cold winter night, especially when enjoyed with a cup of hot chocolate in front of a fire like the one Ladybug Girl, Bingo and her brother curl up in front of. (Picture book. 3-8)

COPYRIGHT(2013) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

September 1, 2013

PreS-Gr 1-Ladybug Girl and her trustworthy canine companion are back in this story about the joys of winter. Lulu wakes up to a magical morning outside her window: an unexpected blanket of snow. Dressing in her snow gear, she rushes outdoors with Bingo to find that all the trees, bushes, and grass look like giant frosted cakes. Lulu and Bingo play in the white wonderland, sculpting snow into various whimsical objects and imagining such things as a giant penguin, a snow castle, and a dragon soaring high above the glittery frozen land. The characters leap from spread to spread, and the text has amazing exuberance. Crisp and clean watercolor and line illustrations feature numerous chucklesome aspects, such as Lulu's varied facial expressions-from frustration to contentment. The images exemplify what the words need not explain-with just a little imagination the average snowflake can transform the familiar into a world full of wonder. Pair this with Leonid Gore's Danny's First Snow (S & S, 2007) for a wintry storytime treat.-Krista Welz, The North Bergen Public Library, NJ

Copyright 2013 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.