A Little Bit Lola: Too small to be a giant by Kiah Thomas & Bec Kitson

For graduates of School of Monsters and fans of Billie B Brown and Princess in Black comes a dose of comedy in the shape of rainbow-haired, larger than life Lola. With an older brother and sister, Lola can't help but feel she is always too little for everything. Especially when it comes to the water slides; her dad says she is still too little. If she were a giant, Lola thinks, she WOULD be able to go to the water park. Giants stomp and eat trees so that's what she does- practises being a giant. She also tries to grow herself in the garden, and eats a ridiculous amount of food, including broccolini (which she hates). The story shows her range of emotions about the situation and having to deal with the reality of missing out on something fun but it also ends with her making her own fun with her family when they return.

There is a definite Charlie and Lola feel to this story, particularly Lola's conversations with her big brother Max as well as the writing style itself. Like the other Lola, she is imaginative, determined and fiercely independent. There are also hints of classics such as Amelia Bedelia and Pippi Longstocking. Mum asks her if she has finished her lunch and she confidently asserts that she has (she has indeed finished putting her lunch in the bin!). Large writing, coloured pictures on each page and simple vocab make this an attainable series for independent readers newly embarking on the chapter book journey. The illustrations are cartoony and lots of fun. This is the second in the A Little Bit of Lola series and there are more on the way. 

Themes: Humorous Stories, Families, Decodables, Early Chapter Book.

Nicole Nelson