A Dog With Nice Ears

Charlie and Lola

by Lauren Child

Beloved siblings Charlie and Lola are back -- on a quest to find Lola's version of the perfect dog, which seems suspiciously un-doglike.

At the moment, all Lola can talk about is dogs. She says she would like one more than anything you could think of. "More than a squirrel or an actual fox," she says. Sometimes she pretends to be a dog. And sometimes she pretends that her brother, Charlie, is a dog. The two of them love to talk about what sort of dog they would choose if Mom and Dad didn't always say, "ABSOLUTELY NO DOGS!" Dad says he'll take Lola to the pet store to choose a rabbit, but Lola insists that she only wants a dog, an extremely furry dog with a wiggly nose, a puffy tail, and nice ears. . . . Fans old and new will cotton to this humorous Charlie and Lola adventure sure to please any child who ever longed for the ideal pet.

Genres: Picture Books, Animals, Dogs, Childrens, Fiction, Juvenile, Storytime

32 pages, Hardcover

Published April 3, 2018

About the author

Lauren 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.

Reviews

[libby · Rating 4 out of 5]

really cute illustrations and a nice quick read!

[Joy (joyous reads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Charlie and Lola was a favourite of my now 17-year-old daughter back in the day. I remember her speaking with an English accent for a time because she was absolutely obsessed! This book brought me back.

[Shauna Yusko · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Charlie and Lola.

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

First sentence: I have this little sister, Lola. She is small and very funny. At the moment, all Lola can talk about is dogs. She says she would like one more than anything you could ever think of. "More than a squirrel or an actual fox," she says.

Premise/plot: In anticipation of a trip to a pet shop, Lola tells CHARLIE all the things she's looking for in a dog. She's very specific in what she wants. Her conversations with Charlie do reveal just how funny she can be.

Lola says, "It MUST have nice ears because EARS are important. You hold your glasses on with your ears." I say, "But, Lola, a dog wouldn't NEED glasses." "How do you know?" she says. I say, "Have you ever seen a dog wearing glasses?" She says, "No, BUT they probably only wear them for reading."

My thoughts: I do love Charlie and Lola. In this picture book, they talk about their ideal pet. Can Lola be trusted to pick out the best dog?! Can Lola be trusted to do anything in an ordinary way?!

Text: 5 out of 5
Illustrations: 5 out of 5
Total: 10 out of 10

[Mehsi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ieder kind wil wel een hond, of een huisdier, en Lola is een van die kinderen. Ze moet en zal een hond hebben. En haar broer Charlie wil dat ook graag maar hij snapt wel dat zijn ouders niet zo snel anders zullen denken. Hij combineert dromen met relativeren in dit prentenboek. Hoe moest de hond zijn? Wat voor kleur? Hoeveel pootjes? Wat voor oortjes (stel hij heeft een bril nodig)? Ik vond het wel lief van de ouders dat een hond niet mocht... maar iets anders wel mocht. Ik vond Lolas reactie erg leuk, en ik was blij met wat ze aan het einde koos. En natuurlijk heeft dit boek wederom superleuke illustraties.

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lauren Child has created yet another Charlie and Lola book that makes me smile and want to hug the book to my chest and go squee. A fun and VERY Lola book about wanting and getting a pet.

[Cindy Mitchell *Kiss the Book* · Rating 4 out of 5]

Child, Lauren A Dog with Nice Ears: Featuring Charlie and Lola. PICTURE BOOK. Candlewick Press, 2017. $18. 9781536200362.

Charlie's little sister, Lola, is obsessed with getting a dog. It is all she can talk about--what she might name it, what color it would be, and especially how nice its ears could be. Her parents suggest a rabbit instead, but Lola is insistent that instead of the rabbit she will pick a dog. The big day arrives and after Lola's trip to the pet store, Charlie is definitely surprised by the pet she brings home!

I have loved every adventure with Charlie and Lola I've been able to read and this one was no different. The story is funny (I laughed out loud at least once) and I think kids of all ages will relate to either Lola or Charlie, and especially the desire to have a pet that their parents might not be in favor of. This is not the most classic, long-standing picture book you'll come across, but its definitely fun.

Pre-K, EL(K-3), EL - ADVISABLE. Reviewer: TC
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2018...

[Arminzerella · Rating 4 out of 5]

Charlie and his little sister Lola really want a pet dog. Their parents, however, have told them no absolutely not. They offer to take Lola to the pet store to pick out a pet rabbit instead. Lola is sure that once she *gets* to the pet store, she will convince their folks to get a dog. The kids spend a lot of time imagining what their ideal dog would be like and Lola lists some strange characteristics (silent barking, hopping, nose-wiggling, puffy tail, etc.). Their friend Marv says, "You are going to have the weirdest dog." He's not wrong. When Lola returns with her new pet, it clearly meets all of the requirements on her list and it's clearly not a dog. It does have nice ears! A cute story that will delight and surprise readers.

[Pauline · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is always great excitement when a new Charlie and Lola picture book arrives. There is such a delightful innocence about this pair and children love to follow the sibling’s adventures. ‘When Lola and Charlie discuss the features of the dog they want Lola has very specific ideas about what she desires in a dog. This will open up many conversations for children about what sorts of attributes they want in a pet - fluffy tails, soft barks, ability to sniff, size of ears and legs - all of these things are very important in pet selection. This is just gorgeous.

[Kyle Sunich · Rating 5 out of 5]

This a book with a lot of sentimental value as I have many memories reading this with my dad. This book is always a fun read. Lola, the child wants a dog and has a specific description and type of dog she wants. However, her description surely sounds like that of a rabbit, but Lola will reassure you she is describing a dog. Lola gives her description of the perfect type of dog from color to tail length she knows exactly the kind of dog she wants, but what she gets in the end gives the readers quite the chuckle.

[Barbra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love all of the Charlie and Lola books by Lauren Child. Lola always has a unique sense of humour and Charlie her brother is always the bringer of common sense. This time Lola wants a dog, and lists off all the things her dog should have. But her parents have insisted, NO DOGS! When she comes home with a rabbit she is perfectly happy as it has all the qualities she was looking for in a dog. Even better it has the perfect name, Snowpuff.

[Elaine Fultz, Teacher Librarian, MLS · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved Charlie and Lola before they became a TV thing. Some students (before the show) called them the books with the kids who "always had their hair in their eyes." After, they only said, "My little [sibling] loves that show," and would no longer check them out because they were seen as babyish to elementary kids. Sigh. So this is the first C&L I've read for a while and it's charming and random (Lola wants to get a brown dog and name it Snowpuff).

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Charlie and Lola want a dog but Mom and Dad say no. They suggest a bunny and Dad offers to take Lola to the pet shop to get a bunny. After discussing all the crucial traits for their dog to have, Lola goes to the pet store with dad to get her dog. Typical Charlie and Lola illustrations and some fun humor. Definitely not for toddlers, this one would work best as a read aloud with older preK and younger elementary kids.

[Amanda Brooke · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love how Child sets up the desire for a dog by saying that the character wants a dog more than a squirrel or a actual fox. It gives you an understanding of how they will get this same character to accept a rabbit instead of a dog. Cute. If you liked this book, you would love Guinea Dog - same premise, but for a slightly older audience.

[Gayle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lola wants a dog but there is a list of requirements that she has for her dog. Off to the pet store Lola and Dad go and she comes home with a pet that has everything she wanted. The mixed media artwork is a nice touch.
I got this for free in a GoodReads giveaway.

[Goshen PL Childrens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great story featuring Charlie and Lola. Lola is wanting a dog but is told she can't have one. The exchanges are very funny. Of course, Lola always turns things into exactly what she wants, which she has been telling Charlie details the whole story of the perfect dog.

[Great Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lola wants a dog more than anything you could ever think of. Lola decides all the things that would make a perfect dog, even though her parents have said, "Absolutely, no dogs!" In the end, you will be surprised at the "dog" that Lola fetches from the pet shop. reviewer 11

[Misbah · Rating 2 out of 5]

Lola really wants a dog and that's all she can talk about, but her parents say no. She settles for a dog with nice ears, aka a rabbit.

The children's faces kind of freak me out, I never lined watching that show.

[Anthony · Rating 3 out of 5]

Charlie's sister Lola really wants a dog. All they talk about is what kind of dog she should get. The color, size, and of all is qualities, it must have nice ears. This story is about the longing for a pet by a small child, and the decision making process used to select the perfect dog.

[Patricia N. McLaughlin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute kids discuss a common problem, but the plot gets tangled in the convoluted dialogue describing Lola’s imaginary dog, rendered even more difficult to follow by the odd font; cluttered illustrations muddle matters

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

omigosh
Lola is still so funny, and Charlie is still so patient.
And the art is still incredible.
Ima gonna reread this before taking it back to the library... I love this series.

(Huh. I see that the next book on my stack is Let's Get a Pup! Said Kate by the wonderful Bob Graham....)

[Syntha Green · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this humorous story Lola wants a dog more than anything and spends lots of time thinking about what her dog will be like. The only problem is her parents say NO dogs. You'll have to read it to see how this one turns out.

[Rolf · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute, but had some printing problems I haven’t seen in other Charlie and Lola books-like black text on dark brown backgrounds that almost impossible to read, and binding that cuts out large parts of several sentences.

[Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

The funniest, cleverest dialogue with inventive artwork to boot.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute story and I looks the artwork.

[Jillian · Rating 4 out of 5]

I do love Charlie and Lola. The dialogue is always so perfect.

[Clementine · Rating 3 out of 5]

playful and sweet. i loved the mixed media illustrations; but ymmv.

[Casandria · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lola really wants a dog. If you like Charlie and Lola, you'll enjoy this one.

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This time, Lola wants a dog.

[Bethany · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lola wants a dog. Her parents set the limit at a bunny. Amazingly, everyone gets what they want!