Little sister Lola is desperate for a dog. Tailed by a hot-pink imaginary furry friend, Lola and her brother Charlie spend their days daydreaming about the perfect pet. Their parents are anti-dog, but when it’s time to go to the pet store, Lola knows exactly what she wants: a quiet dog with nice ears . . . that hops? A Dog with Nice Ears, written and illustrated by Lauren Child, is a bit like watching kids play with puppies—entertaining and often producing extreme giggles.
Cheerful and funny, Child’s beloved characters have charmed picture book readers for nearly two decades. The award-winning Child has a deft and magical hand with her children’s literature. Her signature style is exuberant and playful, and Charlie and Lola’s world is rendered as both vibrant and cozy. Using a combination of watercolor and collage, Child perfectly captures the imagination and creativity of childhood. The text itself seems to skip across the page, a reflection of Lola’s own hoppy personality.
However, the most charming part of A Dog with Nice Ears is Lola herself. Lola’s inventive language, pluck, imagination and irrefutable (if unusual) logic will entertain young readers and amuse those of us who have little Lolas of our own underfoot. Ever-patient big brother Charlie is the perfect counterpart, kind and sensible. Both siblings are loveable and loving, and they serve as the ideal storybook chums for young readers. Dog envy can hit hard; luckily A Dog with Nice Ears has already found you.
