I Am Too Absolutely Small for School (Charlie and Lola Series) by Lauren Child, Lauren Child (Illustrator)

From the Publisher

"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.

Publishers Weekly

Favorite characters help ease the transition back to school (or, for newcomers, through the classroom door). Siblings Lola and Charlie (first introduced in I Will Never Not Ever Eat a Tomato) return in I Am Too Absolutely Small for School by Lauren Child. Charlie must convince Lola to give school a chance, though she is full of reasons why she doesn't need it: "I don't need to learn up to one hundred. I already know up to ten, and that is plenty." Per usual, Charlie works his big brother magic as Child's collages delight the eye. Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.

Sharon Salluzzo - Children's Literature

Charlie's little sister, Lola, has many reasons to stay home from school. She does not have time to go because she is "extremely busy doing important things at home." She can count to ten and that is enough. She prefers talking on the phone to writing. Lola sees no need to learn to read because all her books are in her head. Her older brother, Charlie, has a counterpoint for these and the other excuses Lola makes. How he finally convinces her to go to school is ingenious. Readers will discover that all the reasons he gives for attending school are convincing not only for his sister, but for everyone. It is a delight to read the exchanges between these siblings in this, their third book appearance. Child effectively uses collage to get the reader's attention. The illustrations are a combination of cut paper and photos. There is an intriguing note on the refrigerator, as well, that says, "there is pink milk in this fridge." Each turn of the page brings an interesting layout for both the text and illustrations, and there is just the right touch of humor. You will want to add this to your list of "beginning school" books. 2004, Candlewick Press, Ages 4 to 6.

School Library Journal

PreS-Gr 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 2004 Reed Business Information.

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