But, Excuse Me, That Is My Book (Charlie and Lola Series) by Lauren Child, Lauren Child (Illustrator)

From the Publisher

Charlie and Lola have already won the hearts of readers in three winningbooks, including I Am Not Sleepy and I Will Not Go to Bed. And now they’re quickly gathering more fans as an animated series on the Disney Channel.Adorably true-to-childhood and laugh-out-loud funny, Charlie and Lola chronicles the day-to-day moments and interactions in the life of two extremely endearing siblings.

In this new tale, Lola has become obsessed with Beetles, Bugs, and Butterflies, the best book in the whole world. It’s funny, it has pictures, and it is "very great and extremely very interesting." It’s the only book she wants to take out of the library.What will she do when she discovers that somebody else has borrowed her book?

Ken Marantz and Sylvia Marantz - Children's Literature

Young readers can become very attached to a particular book and want to keep it even if belongs to the library. When Charlie's sister Lola says they must go to the library to get Beetles, Bugs, and Butterflies, even though she has had it many times, she insists she needs it "Now." It is "the very best book in the world." But the book is not there. Charlie tries to persuade Lola to try another book, listing all the great subjects that are in the library's books. But Lola is not interested. She finally agrees, however, to try Cheetahs and Chimpanzees, but "it won't be as good..." until she starts reading. Soon she decides it is "...probably the most best book in the whole wide world..." Black line drawings defining characters and settings in the simplest manner combine with collage, with lots of books, and with the dialog of the text that meanders and changes size to involve and amuse us. Both kids are appealing, but Lola is particularly engaging in gestures and facial expressions. The story may be more amusing to those older folks who can observe Lola's obsession from a distance. Charlie and Lola also appear in a new television series on Playhouse Disney. 2005, Dial Books for Young Readers, Ages 3 to 8.

School Library Journal

PreS-Gr 1-During a trip to the library, Charlie helps his younger sister search for her favorite book, Beetles, Bugs, and Butterflies. Lola is dismayed when they cannot find it, and though Charlie tries to distract her with other titles, but nothing measures up to "her" beloved tome. He patiently explains to Lola that it's not her book because it belongs to the library, meaning everyone can have a chance to read it. Although she is horrified when another girl walks by carrying the sought-after title, Lola reluctantly agrees to try Cheetahs and Chimpanzees instead, and ultimately decides that it might actually be the "most best book in the whole wide world." The author does an excellent job of capturing the way youngsters think and act, and Lola epitomizes the typical child who doesn't quite understand the concept of borrowing. The story flows at a comfortable pace, and the language is easy to comprehend. The collage artwork is charming. Pastel backgrounds blend with brightly patterned materials and photo clips to provide a colorful setting for the appealing cartoon characters. An excellent addition to picture-book collections.-Kristen M. Todd, Middle Country Public Library, Centereach, NY Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.

Kirkus Reviews

Charlie and his relentlessly verbal little sister Lola, now licensed TV characters, take a trip to the library in this script-based episode, illustrated with stills from the show done in Child's distinctive photo-and-cartoon collage style. For Lola, the only good book in the world is the oft-read Beetles, Bugs and Butterflies, so she is understandably stressed to see it checked out by another girl-"I don't think she knows that it is my book!" Fruitlessly trying to hush her, Charlie tempts her with other choices, heading off the gathering storm at last with Cheetahs and Chimpanzees-which, predictably, quickly displaces Beetles, Bugs and Butterflies in Lola's affections. Adding a melancholy but realistic touch to a familiar interchange, there is no sign of a librarian (or other adult) among the shelves of generic books in this natural follow-up to Marc Brown's D.W.'s Library Card (2001) and similar exploratory visits. (Picture book. 5-7)

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