We were so excited when we heard yesterday that Lauren Child has been named as the new Children’s Laureate. Lauren is the tenth Children’s Laureate and succeeds Chris Riddell.
You can read more about the Children’s Laureate’s role on the Children’s Laureate website.
We are huge fans of Lauren Child’s work and I loved her unique illustration style the moment that I picked up my first Charlie and Lola picture book which was I Am Not Sleepy and I Will Not Go To Bed! Charlie and Lola’s inimitable chatty style endeared me to their characters and there is so much humour in the way that they experience familiar childhood situations.
We’ve celebrated the announcement by reading our three favourite Charlie and Lola picture books. We’d love to hear your favourite Charlie and Lola books too!
Number 1
Charlie and Lola: But excuse ME THAT is my book: Lola loves a book called Beetles, Bugs and Butterflies but she can’t find it in the library. Can Charlie and Lotta persuade Lola to borrow a different book?
We love the way that Charlie and Lola introduce us to libraries in their own inimitable style. Charlie, Lola and Lotta introduce us to a variety of books as well as the concepts of borrowing a book, books being shelved according to the alphabet and being quiet in a library.
Number 2
I am TOO absolutely small for school: In I am TOO absolutely small for school we love the conversations between Lola and her big brother Charlie about her thoughts and reasons for not wanting to (or even needing!) to start school!
Lauren Child has managed to introduce and explain a familiar childhood experience using humour and originality. The fact that familiar characters were discussing the situation certainly helped to answer some of our daughter’s questions about school and prepare her for her first day.
Number 3
We completely must Go to London: ‘We completely must Go to London’ is a great way to introduce young readers to some of London’s famous buildings and landmarks. Charlie and Lola go on a school trip to London and visit a variety of the city’s most famous tourist attractions (they manage to visit an incredible number in one day!). Attractions include Buckingham Palace, The London Eye, The Planetarium and Big Ben.
Other Charlie and Lola favourites of ours are ‘This Is Actually my Party’ and ‘Say Cheese’. We would also love to hear your top three favourite Charlie and Lola stories! Please leave them in the comments 🙂
Another favourite character here is Astrid Lindgren’s Pippi Longstocking. We have the edition that Lauren illustrated, she’s has captured so much of the stories’ humour in her illustrations.
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