I Am Too Absolutely Small for School (Charlie and Lola) [Paperback]

Lauren Child (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 9, 2005 | Age Level: 3 and up | Grade Level: P and up | Series: Charlie and Lola

"The children's relationship is refreshingly noncombative, with Charlie as the protective and affectionate older brother who is appreciative of, rather than annoyed by, his sister's quirkiness." - SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL (starred review)

Lola is not so sure about school. After all, why would she need to count higher than ten when she never eats more that ten cookies at a time? Once again, it's up to ever-patient big brother Charlie to persuade Lola that school is worthwhile — and that her invisible friend, Soren Lorensen, will be welcome, too.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 2–The endearing siblings who first appeared in I Will Never Not Ever Eat a Tomato (Candlewick, 2000) return with equally satisfying results. This time, little sister Lola has decided that while her parents think she is "nearly almost big enough to go to school," she is "absolutely not BIG." Charlie, the narrator, puts forth numerous sound reasons for going to school that Lola counters with her own unique logic: "I say… 'If you know how to write, you can send cards to people you like.' Lola says, 'I like to talk on the telephone. It's more friendly and straightaway.'" Charlie eventually comes up with a reason Lola cannot refute–her invisible friend is starting school and will be lonely without her–and she embarks on her educational career. The children's relationship is refreshingly noncombative, with Charlie as the protective and affectionate big brother who is appreciative of, rather than annoyed by, his sister's quirkiness. Incorporating photos, fabric, and appealingly childlike cartoon renderings of the siblings, the mixed-media illustrations are a visual treat of color and texture. This is a winner either as a read-aloud or for independent perusal.–Grace Oliff, Ann Blanche Smith School, Hillsdale, NJ
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Booklist

PreS-Gr. 2. Readers familiar with Child's I Will Never Not Ever Eat a Tomato (2000) and I Am Not Sleepy and I Will Not Go to Bed (2001) will know that Lola has some fiercely held opinions, and that older brother Charlie has a way of coaxing her around to his point of view. In this case, the controversial topic is whether Lola will give formal education a try. The tousled youngster states her case with her usual Eloise-like panache: "I probably do not have time to go to school. I am too extremely busy doing important things at home." Charlie counters by pointing out the equally important things to be done at school, but in the end, his most successful ploy is an indirect one: Soren Lorenson, Lola's imaginary friend, may need moral support. The brother-sister dynamic here may be atypically sunny, but parents will certainly appreciate the siblings' tender, supportive relationship, and children will respond to the wild typography, colors, and patterns of Child's distinctive mixed-media artwork. Jennifer Mattson
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 3 and up
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Candlewick (August 9, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0763628875
• ISBN-13: 978-0763628871
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 0.1 x 10.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #114,060 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Lauren Child is the multi-talented prize-winning creator of the characters Charlie and Lola, Clarice Bean and Hubert Horatio Bobton-Trent. She has won the Smarties Gold Award, Smarties Bronze Award, Kate Greenaway Medal and been shortlisted for the Children's Book of the Year at the British Book Awards. Lauren lives in London.