Here Comes Lolo

Lolo #1

by Niki Daly

Here comes Lolo! She's kind-hearted, creative, full of fun, and she's sure to become your best friend.

Lolo skips through life, leaving a trail of laughter and a few frowns. In these four easy-to-read stories, follow Lolo as she gets a gold star at school, longs for a cute floppy hat, finds a missing ring, and helps to rescue a dog.

A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection

Genres: Fiction, Realistic Fiction, Africa, Childrens, South Africa, Chapter Books, Kids

78 pages, Paperback

Published April 15, 2020

About the author

Nicholas "Niki" Daly, South African illustrator and children's book author.

http://www.childlit.org.za/ndaly.html

Reviews

[Erin]

Four simple stories about a young girl who yearns to get a gold star for reading, who covets a fantastic hat in a shop window, who discovers a lost ring and must return it to its rightful owner, and who stops animal abuse in her neighbor's yard. Lolo is sweet and earnest and her troubles range from small to serious, but each one manages to be solved.

Not quite as mischievous as Ramona, similar in feel to Yasmin, and basically a solid read for anyone moving into chapter books.

[Hannah DCamp]

This book has had a distinct impact on my life - which is to say that the story about the worm lives rent-free in my head, and I think of it with unsettling frequency even now 3 years later. God willing I will never live further south than I currently do, or failing that that I can live in a fortress impervious to worms and other creepy crawlies.

[Barbara]

In these four infinitely relatable short stories, readers meet Lolo, a young Xhosa girl, and follow her as she earns and then loses a gold star for her school work, makes an exchange for the perfect floppy hat her heart has been set on, finds an engagement ring and returns it to its rightful owner, and befriends a neglected and abused dog. Like me, young readers will enjoy the black and white drawings with all their details, and how the stories interconnect. I also liked how the book concludes with Hope and a happy ending. I hope there will be more of these simple but meaningful stories featuring Lolo.

[Meisbres]

Lolo lives with her mother and grandmother (Gogo) in South Africa. She loves school, animals, and has an eye for fashion. Her adventures include getting a gold star for reading, finding a lost dog, and reuniting an engagement ring with its rightful owner. You will probably relate to some of Lolo’s trial and tribulations: She is made to give something she really wants to a younger child because the younger child throws a fit. Or she has her eye on something and it is sold out by the time there is enough money. (for 3rd grade)

[Zach Freeman]

Read for 4yo and has a perfect mix of big and small words for that age. Also the chapters are the right length for attention span. In each story things don’t go the main character’s way for a bit and she sometimes cries or gets frustrated by that, but ultimately, due to her own hard work or kindness or understanding, things work out. Typical kids book stuff but very well presented with cool drawings.

[Anna]

My daughter loved these! We read all three books in the series quickly. Lolo lives in Africa with her single mama and fun loving grandmother. She has everyday adventures that are very relatable! Lolo’s personality reminds me of my six- year old, which is probably the reason why we liked them so much!

[Abby Johnson]

This is a cute episodic chapter book about a young girl in South Africa having small adventures. It's an easy chapter book, good for new chapter book readers. I'd hand it to fans of The Stories Julian Tells and Akissi.

[Miss Sarah]

An early elementary chapter book with four short stories about Lolo and her mom and grandmother helping people and themselves through life. Easy to follow stories but not much connection between each story.

[Grace J]

The Lolo books are delightful and sweet! This book does contain a story in which Lolo discovers that her neighbor is abusing his dog, and the neighbor is eventually arrested for stealing computers--a story that's perhaps a bit more intense than most children's books.

[Tiffany]

A great little beginning reader. I think girls will like Lolo.

[Syntha Green]

A great beginning chapter book series

[Amanda Lee]

Sweet short story beginning reader. We enjoyed Lolo’s different adventures. Reminded me of Yasmin stories. We’re enjoying more selection of diverse characters in these types of books.

[Wina]

3.5 stars. Short and sweet book for ages 5-8. This takes place in South Africa, with a diverse cast of characters. At the beginning of the book there is a note stating "molo" means "hello", but not that "gogo" means "grandma". I suppose everyone will figure that out. Feel-good endings for each chapter.

[Jillianne Larson]

This is a great collection of stories for new readers. I love the lessons that can be taught alongside them for context. I’m very excited to use these stories in my first grade classroom!

[Alice]

4 stars for Lolo an energetic young lady from South Africa

[wildct2003]

Good stories and lessons

[Sherrie]

*3.5

[Sharon]

Lovely diverse book for young readers that celebrates the everyday life of a young girl.

[Andréa]

Note: I accessed a digital review copy of this book through Edelweiss.