Lazy Little Loafers

by Susan Orlean, G. Brian Karas (Illustrator)

From the New York Times bestselling author of The Orchid Thief comes a smart, hilarious take on what babies contribute—or don’t—to the world.

Ever experienced stroller envy? Ever wished you were applauded just for walking across a room? Ever wanted to loaf about the park on a blanket in the middle of a school day with nothing on your agenda but being relaxed and happy? Then you should be a baby. They’ve got it made.

In this charming, droll story, a world-weary older sister ponders the question, why don’t more babies work? Her answers, hilariously tinged with resentment, offer up a wickedly accurate picture of just how great babies have it. 

Known for her keen and witty observations of various subcultures, Susan Orlean here turns her gaze on babies. The resulting picture book is tongue-in-cheek fun for older siblings and anyone looking for a lazy, praise-filled day.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Humor, Fiction, Family

32 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2008

About the author

I'm the product of a happy and uneventful childhood in the suburbs of Cleveland, followed by a happy and pretty eventful four years as a student at University of Michigan. From there, I wandered to the West Coast, landing in Portland, Oregon, where I managed (somehow) to get a job as a writer. This had been my dream, of course, but I had no experience and no credentials. What I did have, in spades, was an abiding passion for storytelling and sentence-making. I fell in love with the experience of writing, and I've never stopped. From Portland, I moved to Boston, where I wrote for the Phoenix and the Globe, and then to New York, where I began writing for magazines, and, in 1987, published my first piece in The New Yorker. I've been a staff writer there since 1992.

Reviews

[Caterina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quirky, fun book mainly for parents with an off-beat sense of humor, and older siblings, of a lazy little loafer -- i.e., a baby. The drawings by G. Brian Karas go perfectly with Susan Orlean's sense of humor (which I love). I had no idea it was going to be a picture book!

[The Library Lady · Rating 1 out of 5]

This doesn't sound like a kid's voice--I mean "tipsy after a three bottle lunch"?

There are much much funnier books about babies from kids point of view. And if you want a ROTFL sort for older kids, try "Earthlets" by Jeannette Willis, with hilarious illustrations by Tony Ross!

[Hope]

This is a funny concept, but I have a couple quibbles that all fall under the heading of written more for adults than children. Way too much text -- you could easily have cut 30% and still accomplished the same. I also got tired of the snarky tone the MC uses. It seems way too road-weary for a child. I do believe an older sib would be resentful and so on, but it just seemed over the top.

[Kaethe · Rating 5 out of 5]

17 December 2008

Ha. Not all writers for adults do well switching over to children's, and I'm not sure Orlean is cut out for it. It had one good joke, though. And I liked the picture of the bullfighting.

***

25 January 2020

That earlier review was unfair. Orlean fairly depicted the childhood of the past twenty plus years and I apologize for failing to pick up what she was putting down.

As a metaphor for the collective failures of adults to assume the hard work of keeping the world going, this is a brilliant, though unheeded warning.

Library copy

[Cole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lazy babies get a good talking to, and rightly so, with all their loafing about. Go get a job, babies! Stop mooching off the rest of us!

[Rose Rosetree · Rating 5 out of 5]

FUNNY, FUNNY, FUNNY

That's the perspective of the narrator of this book. Is she a mother, an older sister? Regardless, she expresses a detailed-and-satisfying grumble.

Assuming that parents, caregivers, and babysitters are the intended audience, I'll give "Lazy Little Loafers" FIVE STARS.

CAUTION, THOUGH. ATTENTION!!!

Do not ever, ever read this book to a young child, although usually these kids are the intended audience for picture books. I feel strongly, and also believe (based on considerable experience) that:

* Consciously, young children don't understand sarcasm or irony.

* Subconsciously, young children don't understand this either.

* It's never nice to insult young children. Ever. They'll carry the scars for the rest of their lives.

* If you assume that it's good for people of any age to "Have a good laugh at myself" or "Not take yourself too seriously" -- you might want to think again. Such attempts to "teach" children are wrongheaded, if not actively cruel.

[Cat · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was funny! But I had to think who the audience would be. Then I realized-parents! Mcuh like another favorite, Professor Zargle Explains Earthlets! The littlest kids don;t get it, the grade schoolers are embarrassed by it, middle and senior schoolers-meh. So that leaves us- parents! Who find it hysterically true! I think it would make a great gift for new parents! The illustrations were spot on and I love the little girls very astute observation of babies! Yep, they are Lazy, Little Loafers! Lol!
Cute story, great illustrations!

[AEK7300 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very unique book! It's written with lots of humor and sarcasm that may not be understood by children, but I loved it! The main character is a very opinionated, New York, grade school girl who questions what babies actually do all day and considers that, perhaps.....they should get a job! The illustrations are cute and have a chalky look to them. A fun, different book that might be enjoyed by older kids who'd get the comedy!

[Alexis Fillmore · Rating 4 out of 5]

Liked the illustrations, cute story about the perspective of kids toward babies.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

(Springfield)
Couldn't resist as I've enjoyed adult NF by the author. 3.5 stars rounded up for the punchline, otherwise just another cute humorous picture-book aimed at parents

[Kim Esmael · Rating 5 out of 5]

So cute and funny! Perfect for school-age kids with baby siblings. Parents will love it too.

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Personal Response
In this amusing story, an older sister questions why more babies don’t work and apply themselves to be useful. The book unfolds with great humor and resentment towards babies, but she comes to a very simple conclusion that puts a smile on everyone’s face. Children of older age will love this book because most children also have to deal with young, righteous siblings, and I think they will understand the humor more in this pleasant story than will children of 5, 6, and maybe 7 year olds.

Purpose: Read aloud for enjoyment, grades 2nd-5th
This book can be read aloud to pay attention to informal language and how it differs in comparison to other stories.
The illustrations are also one of a kind. They incorporate many medias, including pencil, photos/collage, and pen. This could be pointed to the kids during an art lesson.
Children could be questioned what they think about their siblings and if this book has changed their view on their little siblings.

[Roxanne Hsu Feldman · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too bad: it has some potential to be completely fun, but it falls short at times, and especially at the end. A book like this without a big, humorous, surprising pay-off at the end does little to warrant recommendation. The illustrations are darling -- the narrator and her over-sized backpack are great. The tone is quite funny from the get-go, but lines like, "They don't work but still go out for the three-bottle lunch and get a little tipsy?" is not created to entertain the child reader/listener. It will puzzle them when their grown-ups laugh out loud -- and how does one explain and expect that the wee ones to truly understand and appreciate this humor? This is not the only un-childlike joke in the book.

[Jane G Meyer · Rating 1 out of 5]

I can't tell you how much I dislike this picture book. I have tried three times to read it to my toddler (poor little guinea pig, the only reason I keep trying is to see his reactions) and we simply can not make it through. The author employs some sarcasm and heaps of adult humor, which flies right over the head of my little one. And because so much of the story is told through the humor there really isn't any point in reading on; he just stares at the ceiling waiting for me to let him out of picture book jail.

It seems as though this story was created more for the amusement of the author and her editors than for the delight of children. I think the illustrations are quite wonderful, but the story simply isn't worth reading.

[Juliana Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like the narrator's voice, a little mature for her age, leaving me wondering if all New York school kids are so sophisticated. And I loved the humor in the artwork. I especially liked the last illustration... the narrator enters the school building and realizes that babies are too smart for school when a baby passing by in a stroller sticks out his tongue at her, showing the reader that babies really do know what they're doing!

With the setting in early September and the narrator bemoaning her school work while she obviously would rather be hanging out in the park, this would make an excellent back-to-school choice for parents, teachers, and students.

http://julianaleewriter.com/2014/08/1...

[Cassie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This girl has something to say. Everyone is out in the world busy with their lives, except babies. Babies seem to have it easy! The girl spends the day examining the lives of babies and gathering evidence of their laziness.

This would be a great book to read to elementary age kids.

There is this line: "Is it possible they don't work but still go out for a three-bottle lunch and get a little tipsy?" that may not fly if you're reading it for a school. That line in particular seemed a little out of place to me anyway.

[kb · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book takes home all the awards: eye-catching cover, sensible story and beautiful illustrations. I bagged this for my godchild who has just recently earned a little baby sister, thinking how perfect it was to give her a book that would make her curious about babies, such as what they do, how they feel and well, why, they always just keep lying around and drinking milk. Having read it already (lol when it comes to bookish gifts, I usually ~use them first), it sure would be a hit to my godchild and for the rest of the little "ates" and "kuyas."

[Alma Loredo · Rating 3 out of 5]

The narrator of the story wants to know why babies do not work. She says that there are many babies and many jobs that they can occupy but instead all these babies are just loafing around. She does not understand my babies are not given any task when children have to deal with school and everything else that comes along with school. After observing her little brother on her way to school she realizes that the breed is simply too smart to work. The book was cute and funny.

[Suzette · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you are looking for a book to give a boy or girl with a new baby sibling, consider Lazy Little Loafers by Susan Orlean. While the child you give it to could probably read it themselves with no problem (the intended age level seems to be 4 to 8 or 9 years old), the prose definitely holds up better if read aloud.

Further review to follow.

[Tamara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Why are babies so lazy? This girl protagonist, with an attitude similar to Harriet the Spy and Nancy Drew, tries to find the answer to this very important question. Great for kids in school who just acquired a baby sibling.

I think I may start referring to babies as "chubby little people."

BTW, the author is also the author of The Orchid Thief. How strange!

[Tricia · Rating 2 out of 5]

so i guess because the author hails from cleveland that i should be more forgiving? sorry, didn't pull enough for higher than two stars. elementary school-aged child grumbles about the worthlessness of babies, who don't work or attend school. in the end, she calls them smart but just not an appealing story.

[Gabrielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Why don't babies work? this is the question. I think many elementary school kids have thought about this as the leave their houses early in the morning on the way to school while liitle siblings remain tucked up in beds or playing in the play room. It's just not fair.. so why don't babies do anything useful.. I have to wonder myself.

[Auttumn C · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of the funniest childrens books I have read. I could relate with this book because I just got a new step brother it was a tough adjustment but I went through the same feelings as this little girl. It would be fun to share this story with a child who just got a new sibling and see their reaction to the story.

[The Brothers · Rating 4 out of 5]

A funny book about a little girl's ponderings on why babies don't go to work. She has to go to school and do homework and chores, but babies just get to laze about all day doing what they want. In the end, you discover that the baby she has been studying to try to figure out why babies have it so easy is her little brother.

Great illustrations.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was ok. somewhat humorous look at why babies are lazy and do nothing all day, unlike the narrator who has homework, chores, etc.. The art style is different...although not exactly like Knuffle Bunny it does has a mix of NYC landscapes and cartoon art.

[Joenna · Rating 4 out of 5]

While walking to school, lugging a heavy backpack through New York City one morning, a disgruntled child questions why babies are so lazy, spending their days on useless activities such as napping and babbling rather than getting jobs.

[Mrs Royle · Rating 4 out of 5]

c. 2008 genre:
I thought this was a great book to use to teach point of view. This little girl just can't fathom why babies don't work! It is pretty funny. It would also be good to use when a new baby arrives to a family.

[Rachael · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is about a little girl that just doesn't understand why babies don't work. It's really funny!

[Candi]

Ages 4-8

[Kelly · Rating 2 out of 5]

I totally agree with Hope's review. Too adult. Too bad because the idea and the title are both great, but the execution falls short. I wasn't overly fond of the art either.