Independent reading level: 2nd grade
Awards: none ( )

Kate Greenaway medal, 2000

Charlie's little sister Lola is a picky eater, but he tricks/entices her into trying new foods by insisting they're something else - carrots are "orange twiglets from Jupiter" for example. Lola gets in on the act herself, asking for tomatoes after all - a.k.a. "moonsquirters."

Mixed media illustrations.

See also: Gregory the Terrible Eater ( )

Although I read this book growing up so I may be biased, I think this is a really fun, cute book for elementary schoolers. There is so much humor even just in the main message of the book. Charlie tries to get his picky little sister to eat foods that she doesn't want to eat. In order to do this he makes up stories about the foods to make her interested in eating them. Not only is this relatable for a lot of picky eaters and kids, but it's also relatable for parents trying to get their kids to eat healthy. This story is full of a creative imagination and imagery. The pictures are very interesting because they appear to be half drawn and half cut out from a magazine. I was also very fascinated by the imagery. Lauren Child also included textual features, like making certain words bigger or a different font to make them stand out. This made it more interesting to read. Charlie is full of strategic ways to make Lola excited to eat her veggies. In the end, Lola ends up enjoying a lot of these foods which, first of all, shows that it's funny how stigmas about veggies can immediately deter someone from eating them, and also it encourages kids to try different foods before you refuse to eat them because you might actually like them. ( )

I think I'm a little biased to this book being that I grew up watching Charlie and Lola and having these books read to me. Let me just start by saying, I LOVE the illustrations in these books and think that the simple, almost color-book-style captures the facial expressions and moods of the two little girls perfectly, all the while keeping the reader drawn in. The book tells a story I think every kid can relate to, and the humor comes from the way that Lola is so much like every other child. I love these books and love reading them to children, and would totally recommend them for a read-aloud. ( )

This book is about Charlie convincing his sister Lola to eat things she normally wouldn't eat. He uses creative words and phrases to make the food more appealing to her. This book would be a great way to introduce persuasion to students. ( )