41 of 41 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A children's book celebrating everyday things, April 24, 2010
This review is from: Ladybug Girl (Hardcover)
What a cool costume Ladybug Girl wears! Could it be indicative of heroic things inside the covers? I thought so until I read the book. Wait a minute! Is this all? No heroism (well, maybe one tiny act), no major drama trauma, no fits, just one little girl out with her dog for the day, just doing everyday things.
Everyday things. How can a children's book possibly be entertaining, filled with everyday things. The first time I read the book, I was so disappointed. I picked it out from our spring book fair because I liked the cover. After I read the story, I thought, Well, my students will think I'm pouring molasses.
Absolutely not so. "Ladybug Girl" has been one of the best received books I've read to classes this school year. They "got" it--they understood--and was I impressed!--that daily-ness is as essential to a child's play life as exciting events. They didn't say so in so many words, but when half the class wanted to check out this book, THAT was a key indicator that this is a "good" book.
A celebration of daily-ness. That's what I finally derived as the point of the book--after all, what is the point of creating a book if there is no point to it? Agreed? And daily-ness. Don't the ordinary things have import, too? After I closed the book, I sighed. This was my childhood, I thought. This is Every Girl's childhood (barring exotic lifestyles). It's a treasure, this book, this "Ladybug Girl." Here's what I mean:
1. Lulu (yes, that's the girl's name) wants to be entertained by others, but on this day, no one will accommodate her. She's on her own--with her Bassett hound Bingo, who can mimic every facial expression Lulu stocks.
2. She stands in her room, surrounded by all kinds of things to play with and declares: "There's nothing to do."
3. She goes into the library and looks at all the books. The problem is that Lulu doesn't yet read.
4. Outside, she finds ants marching over a rock, moves the rock, thus establishing herself as hero!
5. At the tiny pond she imagines a shark and splashes through it anyway!
6. She adds to the stone wall.
7. She walks along a giant, fallen tree.
8. She catches falling leaves.
9. She sits on a tree branch and makes her brother and his friends appear tiny through her thumb and index finger.
This is a lovely book celebrating childhood, the simple things, the best things. However, Ladybug Girl is not her only creation. On the inside covers, front and back, are a total of 16 other personages that Lulu assumes: pirate, witch, famous actress, space cadet, ballerina, tiger, mermaid, painter, fairy, and others. What a rich imaginative life this girl has! And not one video game in sight!
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29 of 30 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A delightful book!, April 2, 2008
This review is from: Ladybug Girl (Hardcover)
While out shopping tonight, the cover of this book caught my eye from across the store. I read it simply because I love ladybugs but found it to be most delightful (ladybugs or not)! How cute to add a "super hero" twist to her plight. The illustrations are great! As someone who was very petite for her age as a kid and constantly being told by everyone that she was "too little" to participate in various activities, this story really appealed to me, as I'm sure it will to other children in similar situations. I wish I had had this book as a kid for that very reason. The little girl reminds me of so many little ones I see nowdays who insist on wearing their Halloween costumes out in public for weeks on end. And, I love her little sidekick! I'm definitely adding this to my "must have" list for my baby nephew! Because of the super hero concept and the feats she performs, I think this book will appeal to most children even though the protagonist is a girl. And, it not's too terribly wordy, so most younger children should be able to maintain their attention throughout the story. It's simply delightful!
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55 of 63 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Disappointing., May 9, 2008
This review is from: Ladybug Girl (Hardcover)
When I am deciding on which books to buy for our children's ever expanding bookshelf, I try to read all the reviews. Ladybug Girl was given glowing reviews in magazines and online. I don't wish to be negative -- just to add a bit of balance.
The pictures are whimsical and fun, showing a child brimming with imgaination however the storyline fails to bring this to light. It falls short. It is shallow. After my husband read it to the children his first remark was, "Not much to it." Exactly.
The children didn't ask any questions. Even though the story was supposed to be about imagination it didn't spark any in them. There wasn't a depth to the story to linger on in their minds -- or grab their hearts.
On the plus side is the choice of font style, size, boldness, and color for the text. It adds interest for the reader without making it difficult to read.
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