Charlie and Lola: A Dog With Nice Ears

Lauren Child has created another excellent Charlie and Lola adventure in A Dog With Nice Ears. In this story, Charlie explains how his sister Lola really wants a dog. She plays dogs, pretends to be a dog, pretends Charlie is a dog and talks endlessly about the type of dog she wants. However, the fly in the ointment is that mum an dad don't want a dog! Instead they tell Lola she can have a rabbit. However in typical Lola fashion she assures Charlie that she'll get her dog from the pet shop when she goes with dad. I always enjoy the turn of phrase that Lola comes out with when describing things, and this book doesn't fail to have its fair share of 'Lola-isms'. As with all Lauren Child books, the unmistakeable illustrations and mixture between photo and illustrated images make her books engaging and enchanting. My kids found the part when Lola is thinking of her name for the dog really funny and Marv's reaction to Lola's description of her really, really weird dog got a chuckle too. Charlie and Lola is a firm favourite in our house and A Dog With Nice Ears will be added to the favourite pile. In the end, as Lola brings home her new 'pet dog' (which is actually a rabbit) she doesn't give up her description of her new dog, and Snowpuff turns out to be just the right name! Highly recommend this one to add to the Christmas book list - it will be enjoyed all around. Picture book / Ages 4+ / Reviewed by Marie Berry, teacher.

Suggested Reading Age 3+