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Charlie & Lola
This Is Actually My Party
It’s Charlie’s birthday, but Lola is so excited, she opens all of Charlie’s birthday cards and blows out his birthday candles—and gets banned from the party! Will Charlie and Lola be able to make up in time to save the party—and their friendship?
- GenresPicture BooksChildrens
30 pages, Paperback
First published October 4, 2007
3 people are currently reading
113 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.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
August 17, 2018
I love how this brother and sister duo really care for and love each other. In this instance Lola (remember the proper pronunciation - Lola -
Low-lu
, this is most important!) wants to really really help Charlie with his birthday party. Very enthusiastic is miss Lola, even imparting pink cakes onto the monster loving boys. Indy chose to read this, even insisting on finishing it off on the way out from visiting his ENT surgeon. The sign of a winner around here!
I have this little sister named Lola..
I have this little sister named Lola..
May 26, 2017
I actually really enjoy this series of books and I will not never ever not read a Charlie and Lola book again. With apologies for my Lola-speak beginning but this couple really really do grow on you. And in this adventure it is Charlie's birthday and he is having a party ... but Lola, as always, wants to interfere.
Lola begins by opening Charlie's cards and when he complains Lola tells him that their Mum had said that she should make sure that Charlie has an extremely lovely happy birthday and that is why she helped open the cards.
Lola then tells Charlie that there will be lots of presents, lots of party games like musical statues and that she can't wait for the party. But Charlie tells her that his party will not be like that ... Lola doesn't really want to hear that as she has her own set ideas.
When Charlie goes with his Dad to get scary masks for it is to be a monster party, Lola starts making fairy cakes with pink icing, something that Charlie does not want. However, guests arrive suitably attired and Charlie tells them that there will be monster drinks and monster games like monster tag and monster chase. Lola still envisages musical statues!
Lola opens some of Charlie's presents and when he complains she says, 'OK, Charlie, I'm just helping.' She then blows out his candles and when Charlie looks miffed she asks, 'What's wrong, Charlie?' So he itemises what is wrong and what Lola has done. Then he stresses, 'This is my party, not your party!' Lola's response is, 'I just like parties.'
To make Charlie feel a little better, while he is out playing monster games, she makes everyone a monster party bag, gives them to the guests as they come back in and says, 'Thank you for coming to Charlie's party.' But before they leave the guests spot the pink-iced fairy cakes and eat them all. Charlie's friend Marv even says, 'Thank you, Lola. Pink icing is really tasty.'
So after the guests have left Charlie and Lola are friends again as Lola tells him, 'That was a REALLY good party, wasn't it?' Charlie agrees and Lola has the last word with 'They REALLY liked my pink fairy cakes!'
Lauren Child has once again provided us with a sparkling and amusing adventure of this quirky duo.
Lola begins by opening Charlie's cards and when he complains Lola tells him that their Mum had said that she should make sure that Charlie has an extremely lovely happy birthday and that is why she helped open the cards.
Lola then tells Charlie that there will be lots of presents, lots of party games like musical statues and that she can't wait for the party. But Charlie tells her that his party will not be like that ... Lola doesn't really want to hear that as she has her own set ideas.
When Charlie goes with his Dad to get scary masks for it is to be a monster party, Lola starts making fairy cakes with pink icing, something that Charlie does not want. However, guests arrive suitably attired and Charlie tells them that there will be monster drinks and monster games like monster tag and monster chase. Lola still envisages musical statues!
Lola opens some of Charlie's presents and when he complains she says, 'OK, Charlie, I'm just helping.' She then blows out his candles and when Charlie looks miffed she asks, 'What's wrong, Charlie?' So he itemises what is wrong and what Lola has done. Then he stresses, 'This is my party, not your party!' Lola's response is, 'I just like parties.'
To make Charlie feel a little better, while he is out playing monster games, she makes everyone a monster party bag, gives them to the guests as they come back in and says, 'Thank you for coming to Charlie's party.' But before they leave the guests spot the pink-iced fairy cakes and eat them all. Charlie's friend Marv even says, 'Thank you, Lola. Pink icing is really tasty.'
So after the guests have left Charlie and Lola are friends again as Lola tells him, 'That was a REALLY good party, wasn't it?' Charlie agrees and Lola has the last word with 'They REALLY liked my pink fairy cakes!'
Lauren Child has once again provided us with a sparkling and amusing adventure of this quirky duo.
August 5, 2025
Story (if you care about spoilers for children's books, skip to next section)
It's Charlie birthday party. Lola starts the day off by opening all his cards because she's HELPING. She then suggests party games that Charlie is not at all enthusiastic about because this is a MONSTER party. While Charlie is away buying his costume, Lola makes fairy pink cupcakes (not very monstery). When his friends arrive, she opens one of his presents, tries to convince them to play statues and then blows the candles on his cake. Charlie is understandably annoyed and goes outside to play monster tag with his friends. Lola apologizes and everyone ends up eating pink cupcakes even though they're not very monstery.
Illustrations
Lauren Child's charming doodle-like pictures
Fun factor
Every Charlie and Lola book is fun. Maybe not the most fun of them all, but I still liked it.
Is it supposed to teach children something?
Don't hog your brother's birthday party? Even monsters like delicious cupcakes?
Bottom line:
I love this series and I think all the books are worth it, but this is not one of the more memorable ones.
It's Charlie birthday party. Lola starts the day off by opening all his cards because she's HELPING. She then suggests party games that Charlie is not at all enthusiastic about because this is a MONSTER party. While Charlie is away buying his costume, Lola makes fairy pink cupcakes (not very monstery). When his friends arrive, she opens one of his presents, tries to convince them to play statues and then blows the candles on his cake. Charlie is understandably annoyed and goes outside to play monster tag with his friends. Lola apologizes and everyone ends up eating pink cupcakes even though they're not very monstery.
Illustrations
Lauren Child's charming doodle-like pictures
Fun factor
Every Charlie and Lola book is fun. Maybe not the most fun of them all, but I still liked it.
Is it supposed to teach children something?
Don't hog your brother's birthday party? Even monsters like delicious cupcakes?
Bottom line:
I love this series and I think all the books are worth it, but this is not one of the more memorable ones.
July 2, 2024
It's Charlie's birthday, and he's having a monster party. Lola takes over and makes everything pink.
I dislike the heavily gendered party themes and I hate that the conflict is Lola messing everything up and having to learn a lesson again. And I hate that Charlie is acting like a parent because the actual parents aren't in evidence. InI Am Too Absolutely Small for School Lola isn't being bad, she's just anxious about something new that she has mistaken ideas about. But in stories from the show scripts it's not The Unknown that's a problem, it's Lola misbehaving.
Of course, no older sibling is always patient and kind and only ever amused by a younger sibling. But a series about Lola misbehaving isn't funny.
And the princessificationof Lola is revolting. Even her hair clips have become little bows or butterflies or something other than just functional.
Library xopy
I dislike the heavily gendered party themes and I hate that the conflict is Lola messing everything up and having to learn a lesson again. And I hate that Charlie is acting like a parent because the actual parents aren't in evidence. InI Am Too Absolutely Small for School Lola isn't being bad, she's just anxious about something new that she has mistaken ideas about. But in stories from the show scripts it's not The Unknown that's a problem, it's Lola misbehaving.
Of course, no older sibling is always patient and kind and only ever amused by a younger sibling. But a series about Lola misbehaving isn't funny.
And the princessificationof Lola is revolting. Even her hair clips have become little bows or butterflies or something other than just functional.
Library xopy
Read
September 12, 2021Good story book for 5-7 age range, simple language and lots of pictures. From Charlie’s point of view quite repetitive and good concepts on understanding other people’s actions and appropriate responses
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 25, 2022
I guess the parents believe in kids learning how to work things out themselves? Charlie is still learning *so much* about patience and forgiveness. Lola is maybe learning a tiny bit about respectfor others and for self-restraint.
December 29, 2017
Salla huseeraa Samun synttäreillä. Ensin hommat menee huonosti, lopussa tietenkin hyvin.
May 22, 2020
Have read this to many classes of young children and they love it as they can relate to Lola
December 14, 2020
I love the two siblings' relationship (Charlie & Lola)
It's a nice story!
For children from 1 to 5 years old. And I'm 22😂
It's a nice story!
For children from 1 to 5 years old. And I'm 22😂
January 2, 2017
My favourite page is when they get ready for the party because I like the scary stuff in the pictures.
March 2, 2017
It's Charlie's birthday but Lola is determined to enjoy herself by taking party matters into her own hands.
Another hit with our own Charlie and Lola copycats, this is a fun and different sort of C&L story. It's always interesting when there's a slightly more distinctive conflict between the two of them but of course they are still pleasant and always work it out.
Another hit with our own Charlie and Lola copycats, this is a fun and different sort of C&L story. It's always interesting when there's a slightly more distinctive conflict between the two of them but of course they are still pleasant and always work it out.
September 4, 2012
Charlie and Lola- This is actually my party by Lauren Child:
This book is based on a popular TV show called Charlie and Lola, which is about a boy called Charlie who has a younger sister called Lola. Its Charlie’s birthday and he is having a monster themed party with all his friends. Lola is very excited and gets carried away planning the party the way she wants; even making pink fairy cakes. Once the party starts Lola ends up taking over the party and starts opening Charlie presents and blows out his birthday candles. She then notices that her brother is upset and she asks him why and he tells her that it is his party not hers, so he should be the one opening the presents and deciding what games to play. Lola then apologises and while Charlie and his friends are playing monster games in the garden, she makes monster themed party bags to give to all of Charlie’s friends. When they return inside they all notice Lola’s pink fairy cakes which become a favourite at the end of the day. Even Charlie says he likes the pink icing.
I really enjoyed this book because it outlines typical behaviour present in every household and reminds me of the time when my younger brother would always follow me around and copy everything I would do. I would recommend this book for 4-7 year olds because the children can relate to the characters in the book, because they may be the older brother/sister who has a younger brother/sister who is always imitating what they do because they look up to them as a role model. The book can be used for to develop creative writing skills, whereby the children are asked to write a story about their younger/older brother and sister and what they enjoy doing together.
This book is based on a popular TV show called Charlie and Lola, which is about a boy called Charlie who has a younger sister called Lola. Its Charlie’s birthday and he is having a monster themed party with all his friends. Lola is very excited and gets carried away planning the party the way she wants; even making pink fairy cakes. Once the party starts Lola ends up taking over the party and starts opening Charlie presents and blows out his birthday candles. She then notices that her brother is upset and she asks him why and he tells her that it is his party not hers, so he should be the one opening the presents and deciding what games to play. Lola then apologises and while Charlie and his friends are playing monster games in the garden, she makes monster themed party bags to give to all of Charlie’s friends. When they return inside they all notice Lola’s pink fairy cakes which become a favourite at the end of the day. Even Charlie says he likes the pink icing.
I really enjoyed this book because it outlines typical behaviour present in every household and reminds me of the time when my younger brother would always follow me around and copy everything I would do. I would recommend this book for 4-7 year olds because the children can relate to the characters in the book, because they may be the older brother/sister who has a younger brother/sister who is always imitating what they do because they look up to them as a role model. The book can be used for to develop creative writing skills, whereby the children are asked to write a story about their younger/older brother and sister and what they enjoy doing together.
September 1, 2012
I know I haven't read many Charlie and Lola books, even though I'm familiar with them and recommend them. But how did I now realize they were British until now?! Odd me. I didn't love this book, but it was still fun. Charlie is such a patient older brother; he impresses me. Not the book I'm looking for in my birthday theme, and I don't think the storytime crowd would stick with it as long. But still fine to recommend.
May 8, 2017
This is a fun book. Charlie and Lola are great characters. Lola is too excited for her brother's party to understand how she should act. Charlie is a great older brother that is patient with his sister. A fun, simple story for children of all ages. My 9 year old and 6 year old both love this book. I am still reading this book several years later, as it just never gets old for our family.
June 26, 2009
Great book, especially if your toddler is excited about birthdays. The Charlie and Lola characters are charmingly eccentric and spunky; they have a really nice sibling relationship. Lauren Child does a really nice job capturing what eccentric, unique little people kids are, I think.
August 23, 2014
The kids I nanny for absolutely love Charlie and Lola, and every time I bring one with me we have to read it almost a hundred times.This particular one is not my favorite Charlie and Lola book, but the kids loved it.
October 30, 2010
The author always does such an excellent job capturing what being a sibling is about... both the frustrations and the joys. Lola is such a sweet girl and Charlie always the great big brother. The Charlie and Lola series can be enjoyed by parents and children alike.
January 21, 2013
A very good choice for a story for preschoolers. Its very hard for kids that age to understand a party isn't about them (or that anything isn't about them), and to change their perspective to what someone else wants.
January 11, 2008
All of the Charlie and lola books are my son's absolute favorites and mine too! They are a great learning tool.
March 16, 2008
I love charlie and lola, cause my sisters love them! Lola is the typical silly little girl, and Charlie is the typical I'm-so-big-big-brother. It's hilarious.
June 9, 2008
With a nephew named Charlie who happens to have a birthday on the way, this is ideal. All of the usual charm common to the Charlie and Lola series, both through the text and whimsical illustrations.
November 9, 2009
We love Charlie and Lola. The older/younger sibling frustration/consideration is great. As an adult, I really like the mixed media illustrations.
November 8, 2011
Lola was really mean on Charlie's birthday because she did 4 things, she blew out his candles, she unwrapped Charlie's present. Charlie didn't want Lola to open the present up.
June 20, 2014
Cute, but not my fave.
December 17, 2009
do mosters like eating fairy cakes??
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews