Lulu’s Perfect Hideout
Anna McQuinn and Rosalind Beardshaw
Alanna Max
Lulu seems to become more adorable with every new book. Herein, she has a new baby sister whom she loves very much. She shares baby books with her and she and little Zeki sing and play baby songs with her. Like everybody – young and adult – though, Lulu feels that she needs a quiet, distraction free sanctuary – a place away from everything where it’s just her and her special things. Lulu carefully constructs a tent cum hideout for which her daddy helps her make a sign “Big Girls only. No babies. No brothers.’
The following day her Auntie Zari and Hani come to visit. Cousin Hani is considered a big girl and so Lulu tells her the secret entry password and the two have the ‘best big-girl day’. Then on Saturday it’s just Lulu playing in the hideout; she eats there too and come bedtime she decides to sleep there too. Mummy squeezes herself in to share a bedtime story and before long the entire family come for a visit and a goodnight kiss.
On Sunday morning Lulu has breakfast with the family for which her mummy makes pancakes and later in the day she asks her daddy to help her make a new sign. What’s written thereon enables Lulu to invite all her family for afternoon tea and it’s evident from Rosalind Beardshaw’s final scene that they have a wonderful time.
Another delightful story and it’s great to see how empathetic and supportive Lulu’s parents are towards her needs.
Just Us Two
Emma Dodd
Templar Books
This rhyming narrative is written from the viewpoint of a parent squirrel as adult and child explore the forest. “And with you here / right next to me, // there’s nowhere else / I’d rather be.” As they scamper together the parent informs the little one not to worry about such things as storms, as well as offering information about how to choose the choicest acorns and where best to hide them whilst also acknowledging I will “learn more, too, / as I watch you grow.” The importance of enabling independence to develop is celebrated – “Sometimes it’s good / to be alone. // To enjoy adventures /on your own.” confirms the adult as the young squirrel jumps down from a tall tree. However, it’s love that the narrative returns to “Yet if you want me / by your side, // I’ll be right there, / arms open wide!”
Emma Dodd’s autumnal hues with sparkling bronze highlights really give a sense of the season as well shining a light on the treasure that time spent together provides both adult and offspring.
