What do you think?
Rate this book
Charlie & Lola
[But I Am an Alligator (Charlie and Lola (8x8))] [Author: Child, Lauren] [January, 2008]
Lola has a favorite alligator costume that she wants to wear absolutely everywhere. Charlie tells her she can't wear it ALL the time, but Lola argues that she can. Much to Charlie's embarrassment, Lola wears her alligator costume to the supermarket and the park. She even plans to wear it for her school talk called “All about Me!” Can Charlie stop Lola from making a fool of herself in front of the whole school?
Paperback
First published January 10, 2008
1 person is currently reading
95 people want to read
About the author
Lauren Child
451 books837 followersLauren Child MBE is an English author and illustrator. She was the UK Children's Laureate from 2017-19.
Child grew up in Wiltshire as the middle child of three sisters and the daughter of two teachers. She has always been interested in the many aspects of childhood, from gazing into toy shop windows to watching American children's shows from the 1960s. After attending two Art Schools, she travelled for six months, still unsure about which career to embark upon.
Before writing and illustrating children's books Child started her own company 'Chandeliers for the People' making lampshades. It was only when she came to write and illustrate the book Clarice Bean, That's Me that she decided to devote her time to writing and illustrating books for children, which combines her fascination for childhood and her talent for designing and creating. Child gets her inspiration from other people's conversations or from seeing something funny happen.
Her book I Will Not Ever Never Eat A Tomato won the 2000 Kate Greenaway Medal. For the 50th anniversary of the Medal (1955–2005), a panel named it one of the top ten winning works, which comprised the shortlist for a public vote for the nation's favourite. It finished third in the public vote from that shortlist.
Child lives in North London.
Child grew up in Wiltshire as the middle child of three sisters and the daughter of two teachers. She has always been interested in the many aspects of childhood, from gazing into toy shop windows to watching American children's shows from the 1960s. After attending two Art Schools, she travelled for six months, still unsure about which career to embark upon.
Before writing and illustrating children's books Child started her own company 'Chandeliers for the People' making lampshades. It was only when she came to write and illustrate the book Clarice Bean, That's Me that she decided to devote her time to writing and illustrating books for children, which combines her fascination for childhood and her talent for designing and creating. Child gets her inspiration from other people's conversations or from seeing something funny happen.
Her book I Will Not Ever Never Eat A Tomato won the 2000 Kate Greenaway Medal. For the 50th anniversary of the Medal (1955–2005), a panel named it one of the top ten winning works, which comprised the shortlist for a public vote for the nation's favourite. It finished third in the public vote from that shortlist.
Child lives in North London.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
October 16, 2018
Charlie still has that little sister Lola and she is still as eccentric, and as amusing, as ever.
One thing that Lola loves is dressing up and when she appears dressed in an alligator costume, it is no surprise to hear her say, 'This is my favourite fancy dress costume and I'm not ever NEVER taking it off.'
She then proceeds to tell Charlie that alligators live in swamps and rivers where they are very difficult to see because they are 'ca-moo-flarged'. She adds that alligators lay eggs for their babies! And to give Charlie an idea of the size of an alligator she tells him that they grow even BIGGER than their table, which is portrayed with an alligator lying all over it ... and hanging off the end!
She tells Charlie that they are really interesting and that is the reason that she will wear her alligator costume ALL the time and why she will not take it off, ever, NEVER!
When they go to the supermarket Lola says that she wants to eat what alligators eat so Charlie tells her that they do not eat frozen prawns. Lola will not have it and replies in a loud voice, 'Oh, they absolutely do, Charlie! Alligators LOVE frozen prawns.' Charlie's only response is to whisper to her to be quiet as everybody is looking at them.
They then go down to the park where Charlie's friend Marv asks if he has asked her to take off the costume. 'A gazillion, million times, but she says she is going to wear it FOREVER,' says Charlie. Marv then tells him that she can't wear it for school so she will have to take it off then.
But Lola says that she will wear it for school even though Charlie suggests that her friends will think her a bit strange. Lola disagrees and says that when she does her talk all her friends will want alligator costumes.
Charlie is taken aback and asks, 'YOUR TALK?' Lola tells him that they have to do a talk in assembly the following day and it is entitled "All About Me". Charlie suggests that as she is not an alligator, such a talk would not work and asks if it would not be better to tell the whole school about herself dressed as herself. He even offers her some topics for such a talk, her liking of pink milk, which is her favourite and her best, her liking for drawing and how she always hops into bed. Charlie even offers to help her but Lola adamantly replies, 'I do not need any help.'
At assembly the following day Lola tells everyone that she likes dressing up, particularly as an alligator, adding 'because it is my most favourite costume and it is my best'. She also says that she used to like dressing up as a Spanish lady, or a circus person, a doctor and a caterpillar that turns into a butterfly. And the whole school says, 'WOW!' Lola stresses that she loves dressing up because she can be whatever or whoever she wants to be ... adding, 'and that is my best'! Even Charlie has to shout 'Well done. Lola.'
The day after Lola turns up for breakfast not as an alligator but as a cat with whiskers, pointy ears and a tail and she says 'Meow!' To which an exasperated Charlie says, 'Oh no.'
And another episode in the life of our quirky twosome comes to an end!
One thing that Lola loves is dressing up and when she appears dressed in an alligator costume, it is no surprise to hear her say, 'This is my favourite fancy dress costume and I'm not ever NEVER taking it off.'
She then proceeds to tell Charlie that alligators live in swamps and rivers where they are very difficult to see because they are 'ca-moo-flarged'. She adds that alligators lay eggs for their babies! And to give Charlie an idea of the size of an alligator she tells him that they grow even BIGGER than their table, which is portrayed with an alligator lying all over it ... and hanging off the end!
She tells Charlie that they are really interesting and that is the reason that she will wear her alligator costume ALL the time and why she will not take it off, ever, NEVER!
When they go to the supermarket Lola says that she wants to eat what alligators eat so Charlie tells her that they do not eat frozen prawns. Lola will not have it and replies in a loud voice, 'Oh, they absolutely do, Charlie! Alligators LOVE frozen prawns.' Charlie's only response is to whisper to her to be quiet as everybody is looking at them.
They then go down to the park where Charlie's friend Marv asks if he has asked her to take off the costume. 'A gazillion, million times, but she says she is going to wear it FOREVER,' says Charlie. Marv then tells him that she can't wear it for school so she will have to take it off then.
But Lola says that she will wear it for school even though Charlie suggests that her friends will think her a bit strange. Lola disagrees and says that when she does her talk all her friends will want alligator costumes.
Charlie is taken aback and asks, 'YOUR TALK?' Lola tells him that they have to do a talk in assembly the following day and it is entitled "All About Me". Charlie suggests that as she is not an alligator, such a talk would not work and asks if it would not be better to tell the whole school about herself dressed as herself. He even offers her some topics for such a talk, her liking of pink milk, which is her favourite and her best, her liking for drawing and how she always hops into bed. Charlie even offers to help her but Lola adamantly replies, 'I do not need any help.'
At assembly the following day Lola tells everyone that she likes dressing up, particularly as an alligator, adding 'because it is my most favourite costume and it is my best'. She also says that she used to like dressing up as a Spanish lady, or a circus person, a doctor and a caterpillar that turns into a butterfly. And the whole school says, 'WOW!' Lola stresses that she loves dressing up because she can be whatever or whoever she wants to be ... adding, 'and that is my best'! Even Charlie has to shout 'Well done. Lola.'
The day after Lola turns up for breakfast not as an alligator but as a cat with whiskers, pointy ears and a tail and she says 'Meow!' To which an exasperated Charlie says, 'Oh no.'
And another episode in the life of our quirky twosome comes to an end!
May 3, 2013
This is another fun story in the Charlie and Lola series, originally created by Lauren Child. Our girls love the characters from watching them on television.
We have really enjoyed reading these stories and look forward to more. I insist on reading them with a British accent and our girls humor me by not complaining too much. The stories are fun and in this tale, I was impressed with Lola's independence and willingness to be herself in front of a crowd.
We have really enjoyed reading these stories and look forward to more. I insist on reading them with a British accent and our girls humor me by not complaining too much. The stories are fun and in this tale, I was impressed with Lola's independence and willingness to be herself in front of a crowd.
November 5, 2014
A few grammatical quirks that don't quite make sense at first, but are part of the way the characters talk ("my favourite and my best") that you have to get used to, but they're not hard to figure out. The story is interesting and quite cute. The illustrations are also well done.
Lola has decided that she is always going to wear her alligator costume and be an alligator, much to the bemusement of her brother Charlie. What is she going to say, however, when her teacher assigns a presentation project on themselves in front of the entire school?
Very cute and funny - it's no wonder this is a popular series.
Lola has decided that she is always going to wear her alligator costume and be an alligator, much to the bemusement of her brother Charlie. What is she going to say, however, when her teacher assigns a presentation project on themselves in front of the entire school?
Very cute and funny - it's no wonder this is a popular series.
April 2, 2021
review coming soon
April 25, 2018
Charlie's little sister Lola loves dressing up in her alligator costume. She vows never to take it off. Charlie thinks this will be a problem when they have to go to school, so he tries to talk Lola out of wearing it. She explains that she has to give a talk at school about being her and that the costume will be part of that. Charlie is still skeptical, but Lola totally NAILS her presentation and despite being dressed as an alligator her talk is ALL her. Love this kid's goofy, stick-to-her-guns attitude! And her alligator costume isn't half bad either.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 23, 2020
This book fit perfectly into this week's storytime theme of playing dress-up and pretend. It seemed a little bit long, but that might have been because I was reading it to a camera. I think that this book could lend itself to some nice storytelling in front of an audience, but my love of Charlie and Lola might be making me biased. I'll have to try it again some other time.
February 9, 2020
We realize that Lola has a natural talent for being unselfconscious and for being a trend-setter, and Charlie learns that he's not an omniscient or omnipotent big brother. These mini books are surprisingly good, imo almost as good as the full-size ones.
August 10, 2023
Easy, reading, book for young reader talks about using your imagination and not asking for help being able to do things all by yourself and be the original you
April 1, 2024
Really funny! I love the dialogue as well as the illustrations. The pink kitchen and pink milk get a chef's kiss from me!
March 2, 2017
I'm not a big fan of the way the characters speak (Charlie repeats the phrase "And I say," way too many times for my liking, for example), but I can see why kids would like the story. The little girl is cute, and her stubbornness when it comes to wearing her favorite outfit is definitely authentic.
May 5, 2009
This is a really funny read aloud about Lola's obsession with wearing costumes--in this case an alligator costume. There are facts about alligators integrated into the story and lots of clever dialogue. This would be good for an alligator or Halloween storytime.
December 11, 2009
This is a fun and funny story that lets Lola's bright personality takes its place at the forefront of the plot. Taken from the original television episode, the story has herein been made into a good book, as well. I would give one an a half stars to But I Am an Alligator.
March 25, 2010
Cute book about imagination. Lola dresses up like an alligator and doesn't want to take it off. She goes tot the assembly at school andd talks about all the things she likes dressing up as.
March 25, 2011
Lola's dressing up as an alligator. Charlie's unsure, but you know he'll come around.
February 6, 2011
Really fabulous book with a fabulous message. One of the reasons why I love the Charlie and Lola series.
July 19, 2014
We've read several "Lola" books and for some reason, my 5-year-old doesn't really like them.
November 29, 2014
The video version makes more sense, because it has more details, but still engaging for our little one.
June 8, 2023
Lola likes dressing up as whatever she wants.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews