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Introduction

Tuesdays are special days since that’s the day Lola and her mommy visit the library. Lola at the Library, written by Anna McQuinn and illustrated by Rosalind Beardshaw, is a celebration of libraries, reading and books as are the other two Lola books, all especially for toddlers and preschoolers: Lola Loves Stories and Lola Reads to Leo.

The Story

Lola at the Library, originally published in Britain as Lulu Loves the Library, follows Lola’s day with books from waking her mommy early in the morning for their trip to the library to their cozy bedtime story in the evening.

Lola is an African-American toddler, who loves everything about Tuesdays. This is the day she packs her library books and library card in her backpack for the walk with her mommy to the library for storytime.
The book features a bold, black font and simple text. Children who have also experienced a visit to the library will enjoy the trip with Lola as they recall returning their books to the librarian at the large desk, singing songs such as “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star,” listening to stories with other children and then checking out more books to take home. For those children who have not had a library experience, it is an opportunity to share what to expect: what you can choose to take home with a library card; that some areas are special just for children; and that storytime is a fun time for reading and singing.

With just one or two sentences on each page, the acrylic illustrations on paper add to the playfulness and fun of books and reading. The white and red polka dot endpapers match Lola’s red and white polka dot skirt.

The passing of the day can be revealed in Lola’s mussed up hair at wakening mommy in the morning to her carefully tied ringlets during the special day to the untied ringlets during her bedtime story. Another special moment after the library visit, where the illustration complements the text is snack time with mommy, when a taste of her cappuccino leaves a trace on Lola’s lips.

Author Anna McGuinn

Anna McQuinn comes from in a family of four children and has three younger brothers. She grew up in a small town in the West of Ireland. It is not surprising that from an early age her primary interests were in child development and education since both of her parents were primary school teachers. She has always loved reading, and she especially loved comics, despite her Dad disapproval. She attended University College Cork and after receiving her BA, earned a post-graduate diploma in Education, specializing in Children's Literature. She has a background in teaching, library work and in publishing.
Since 1988, Anna McQuinn has lived in the UK and now lives in Slough, England. Today she divides her time between writing, publishing, and working with children, whom she feels keep her feet firmly on the ground. Her hobbies include reading crime novels and watching basketball. McQuinn tries to come to the United States once a year to watch an NBA game.

Anna McQuinn is the author of more than 20 children's books. Some of her other books include: If Your’re Happy and You Know It!, The Sleep Sheep, Wanda’s Washing Machine and My Friend Jamal. (Sources: Anna McQuinn's Web site and Charlesbridge)

Illustrator Rosalind Bradshaw

Rosalind Bradshaw graduated from Manchester Polytechnic in 1992, with a degree in illustration. At a young age Rosalind decided she wanted to become an illustrator. Books she's illustrated include Wanda’s Washing Machine and Mole’s Babies. Bradshaw both wrote and illustrated Grandma’s Beach and Grandpa’s Surprise, based on her childhood experiences. (Sources: Rosalind Beardshaw's Web site and Charlesbridge)

Lola at the Library: The Picture Book Versus the Board Book

Lola at the Library is available as a twenty-two page picture book () for preschoolers and in a sixteen page board book () for younger children. The board book is minus a few scenes (the library section for children, singing “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star,” checking out at the desk, and a snack with mommy) found in the picture book, with a simpler text that is sure to be a favorite of toddlers.

Lola at the Library: My Recommendation

Especially for one-on-one sharing, Lola at the Library is a cheerful and appealing book about a simple routine that can encourage the joy of reading. It is refreshing to find a delightful, fun book with an African American character that does not deal primarily with a racial issue. The double page illustration of attentive children of all colors sitting together enjoying a book read by the librarian will give you a cozy feeling...and get you planning a trip to the library with the child in your life. Check this one out! (Charlesbridge, 2006. ISBN: 9781580891134)

More Resources From Your Guide to Children's Books, Elizabeth Kennedy

On the Web site of Charlesbridge, the publisher of the Lola books in the U.S., you can download a Lola poster, as well as an activity guide for Lola at the Library and Lola Loves Stories! You can also listen to audio versions of Lola at the Library in English, Spanish, Portuguese and Polish.
For more about what public libraries have to offer, read Save Money at Your Public Library. For tips from other parents, see Reader Stories: How and Why I Share Picture Books With My Children. You are also invited to share your own stories.