Back Catalog Posts: Lola Reads to Leo by Anna McQuinn

Image source: Amazon.com

Review by Mary K.

Lola Reads to Leo by Anna McQuinn and Illustrated by Rosalind Beardshaw (2012)

Lola loves to read (check out her earlier books Lola Loves Stories and Lola at the Library). So when she learns she is to have a new baby brother, naturally she wants to share her books with the boy. When Leo arrives, Lola helps out by reading to him: duck stories while he’s in the bath; potty stories while he’s having his diaper changed. She does other things too - helping with laundry and dishes while Leo is sleeping - but the family always ends their day with a story. The illustrations are colorful and large and Lola is depicted as a happy child who wants to help. This story of book love (and how books are great for sharing as a family) is perfect for toddler or preschool storytimes.

Themes/topics: family, new baby, siblings, reading, books

Sample text from two spreads:

“Leo cries a lot. Lola wants to cheer him up, so she tells him a story.

It turns out he is just hungry. Lola holds her best bear story while Mommy feeds him. She and Mommy read it together"

Let Me Finish!

 

Let Me Finish! by Minh Lê illustrated by Isabel Roxas (2016) #ownvoices

I’ll be honest, I’m not sure this one would work for storytime, but I know full well that what works for me is different than what works for you, so I try and give you enough information to make your own decisions. It might work great for those of you who do voices! This title has really grown on me with multiple readings. All the kid wants to do is finish a book in peace, but is constantly beset by animals just *dying* to deliver spoilers. With a giggle-worthy twist—or two—at the end, this title will resonate with book-lovers of all ages.

Themes/topics: reading, funny, dinosaurs, books

Sample text from three spreads, which switch between text and dialogue bubbles.

[kid] Here we go. I can’t wait to dive in.

[giraffe] “Ooh, I’m in the middle of that book too! That’s my favorite part”

[birds, bear and giraffe] “Don’t you love it when he reaches the top of the mountain—“

[kid  ]No! Not this time! This time I’m making it to the end! JUST LET ME FINISH!