Charlie and Lola: But Excuse Me That is My Book: Lauren Child - Story Snug

Our top 3 Charlie & Lola stories chosen in celebration of the new Children’s Laureate, Lauren Child

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: Lauren Child - Story Snug

Charlie and Lola: But excuse ME THAT is my book: Lola loves a book called Beetles, Bugs and Butterflies but she canโ€™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 daughterโ€™s questions about school and prepare her for her first day.

I am Too Absolutely Small for School (Charlie and Lola) - Story Snug

Number 3

Charlie and Lola: We Completely Must Go to London - Story Snug

We completely must Go to London: โ€˜We completely must Go to Londonโ€™ is a great way to introduce young readers to some of Londonโ€™s famous buildings and landmarks. Charlie and Lola go on a school trip to London and visit a variety of the cityโ€™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 ๐Ÿ™‚

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.

Pippi Longstocking Astrid Lindgren Lauren Child Story Snug

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22 responses to “Our top 3 Charlie & Lola stories chosen in celebration of the new Children’s Laureate, Lauren Child”


  1. S.L.O.A.H. avatar

    We went through a major Charlie & Lola phase, a few years ago! ๐Ÿ™‚ Alas, I’ve never been able to interest my kids in Pippi Longstocking, despite the Lauren Child’s illustrated version – Pippi Longstocking was one of my (many) favourite books, as a child. #MMBC


    1. Catherine avatar

      I didn’t read Pippi as a child but I love her stories now. They’re so full of bizarre humour ๐Ÿ™‚


  2. Acorn Books avatar

    Lauren Child is a great choice for children’s laureate, we’ve read some Charlie and Lola books at the library but think it’s about time we owned some! #readwithme


    1. Catherine avatar

      I think that Charlie and Lola will be considered classics for years to come, it would be great to add some to your bookshelf ๐Ÿ™‚


  3. Helena avatar

    I am certain that my eldest would love these Charlie and Lola (Lolo in her language). I must look out for them. #readwithme


    1. Catherine avatar

      Please let us know if you find any favourites that are different to ours ๐Ÿ™‚


  4. Yet Another Blogging Mummy avatar

    Great news about Lauren Child. We had several of these books but have passed them onto younger cousins now.


    1. Catherine avatar

      I’ll definitely keep our favourites for the grandchildren ๐Ÿ™‚


  5. Kim Carberry avatar

    Ahh! My girls used to love Charlie & Lola. The books and the TV show….The books hold wonderful memories for me.
    #MMBC


    1. Catherine avatar

      I think that we’ve seen most Charlie and Lola episodes too ๐Ÿ™‚


  6. chantelle hazelden avatar
    chantelle hazelden

    They made a fab choice here! Love Charlie and Lola ๐Ÿ™‚ Thanks for sharing with #readwithme


    1. Catherine avatar

      We think that Lauren Child is a great choice for Children’s Laureate too ๐Ÿ™‚


  7. BookBairn avatar

    I am sure Lauren Child will make a great children’s laureate! We’ve not read any of her books but now I know where to begin! Thanks #readwithme


    1. Catherine avatar

      I’m sure that over the years you will find your own favourites. I’m not sure if we’ve read them all yet!


  8. Sarah MumofThree World avatar

    We love the Charlie & Lola books. We got our first ones for my son’s 4th birthday, just before he started school – I Will Not Ever Never Eat a Tomato and I Am Too Absolutely Small for school. He turns 16 in two weeks!


    1. Catherine avatar

      I think that the Charlie and Lola books are the kind of books that our children will one day read to their children! Happy Birthday to your son ๐Ÿ™‚


  9. Natasha Mairs avatar

    I love Lauren Child’s books and we actually have a signed copy of the ‘Excuse me, that’s my book.’ #MondayMorningBlogClub


    1. Catherine avatar

      Oh wow! A signed copy of the book makes it really special ๐Ÿ™‚


  10. All about a Mummy avatar

    We love the Charlie and Lola books too. They perfectly capture the sibling relationship #readwithme


    1. Catherine avatar

      I love the way that the books focus on the child characters and that although the parents are in the background you never see them ๐Ÿ™‚


  11. Sian avatar

    Oh wow – well done to Lauren Child, I hadn’t heard the news! Out of those 3 we have the School one which my big girl loved for when she started school. Will start reading it to the smaller girl soon! Big girl is very much into Clarice Bean books now and we also have that Pippi Longstocking book and have read bits of it. Personally, I find the Charlie & Lola books (or Lola & Charlie books as my girls call them) quite hard to read? I don’t think they are great grammatically but I understand they are written to sound like a child’s spoken word? My kids love them nonetheless.
    #MMBC


    1. Catherine avatar

      We’ve never read Clarice Bean, should really put that right as my cousin loves them! I don’t find the books particularly hard to read but I know what you mean, they’re a child’s grammar rather than always being correct. Maybe that’s why children identify with the characters so well ๐Ÿ™‚