You Can Be My Friend

Charlie & Lola

by Lauren Child

Lola is excited because she is going to spend the afternoon with Morten, the little brother of Charlie’s best friend. Lola has planned out the entire afternoon with fun and games, but her hopes are dashed when she discovers that Morten is so shy he won’t even speak! Lola tries everything she can think of to get Morten to break out of his shell, but nothing does the trick. How will Lola and Morten have fun?

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens

24 pages, Paperback

First published December 27, 2007

About the author

Lauren Child MBE is an English author and illustrator. She was the UK Children's Laureate from 2017-19.

Child grew up in Wiltshire as the middle child of three sisters and the daughter of two teachers. She has always been interested in the many aspects of childhood, from gazing into toy shop windows to watching American children's shows from the 1960s. After attending two Art Schools, she travelled for six months, still unsure about which career to embark upon.

Before writing and illustrating children's books Child started her own company 'Chandeliers for the People' making lampshades. It was only when she came to write and illustrate the book Clarice Bean, That's Me that she decided to devote her time to writing and illustrating books for children, which combines her fascination for childhood and her talent for designing and creating. Child gets her inspiration from other people's conversations or from seeing something funny happen.

Her book I Will Not Ever Never Eat A Tomato won the 2000 Kate Greenaway Medal. For the 50th anniversary of the Medal (1955–2005), a panel named it one of the top ten winning works, which comprised the shortlist for a public vote for the nation's favourite. It finished third in the public vote from that shortlist.

Child lives in North London.

Reviews

[Emmalee Orman · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this book there are two siblings who love to play and play and play. They decided that they wanted to invite friends over so two of their friends named Marv and Morten. Lola gets very excited because Morten is coming but he is a very shy kid. Once he gets more comfortable, he finally starts to play with Lola and have fun.

How can the selected text be used in the classroom to humanize a particular group of people? I think that this book can be used in the classroom to help students who are shy and don’t like talking as much get comfortable and start to open. That they must find the right game or people. In this book Morten represent s characteristics of an introverted person who is shy and a reticent person.

I think this book would be good for kids who have a harder time making friends. This book is good for kids in 1st or 2nd grade because it is at their reading level.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wish I'd read this when I was little... I might have learned how to make friends. This mini-story from the tv series is a bit wordier than some of the other minis, but I still wonder how long the episodes are. Very short and charming book... probably worth three stars to most readers but it just charms me.

[Donna Mork · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lola makes friends with a shy kid, Morton. She is even willing to play a game she doesn't like just to be friends with Morton.

[Shahrun · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet little book about friendship. You can’t force it people, it happens when it happens as long as it’s meant to be. Love the illustrations.

[Vivian · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love all the Charlie & Lola stories.

This story is works great with two performers. One takes the part of Lola.

After finishing the story try this action verse the story time crowd...

Whoops, Alice
Hold up your hand with fingers spread wide. With the pointing finger of your other hand touch the thumb and say
“Alice”.
Slide the finger up to the pointing finger while saying
“Whoops!”
Touch each of the four fingers, saying
“Alice, Alice, Alice, Alice”.
Repeat this using the children’s names, asking “who’s name shall we use?”Continue until you’ve done everyone who wishes to play.

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great story about compromise and the rewards of good effort as Lola, in her typical boisterous style, tries to befriend a new shy boy who doesn't talk at first. She's about to give up when suddenly he finds something she does funny. They finally have a connection and things seem to go great but then another twist, he loves a game she finds incredibly boring. She is good sport and plays, but the face she makes is hilarious. Lauren Child's illustrations are very clever, and Charlie and Lola are always a hoot.

[Drew Graham · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lola is excited because Charlie's friend Marv is coming over and bringing along his little brother, Morten. But what if Morten and Lola don't hit it off? Will they have the most awkward play date ever??

This was a fun C&L selection about getting along with people who have different interests than yours. I've definitely known a Morten or two in my day (does that make me a Lola? There are worse things to be), and there's almost always common ground to be discovered. I will say that Round and Round does sound pretty boring.

[Leila T. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I always love Charlie and Lola books, but I felt this one was a bit let down by its choice of illustrations---it's a book based off of a tv episode, so there should be (and are) loads of different magical scenes to choose for the book, but instead it's very tame, and even includes two consecutive spreads of the kids sitting at a table for snacktime (as opposed to a different layout/imagery). Disappointing really.

[Rachel Inbar · Rating 4 out of 5]

My daughter who is just turning 7 read this alone easily. I saw some of the other reviews and understand why some people might not like it, but this is true Charlie and Lola style, where the story doesn't have to be complex. It just has to resolve itself in a positive way - and this one did that.

I think the book teaches kids that sometimes even when they try their very best, things don't always work out - and, on the other hand, sometimes when you're not even trying things do work out.

[Whole And · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Morten doesn't say anything!"
Lola is having a hard time connecting with Morten although she's tried everything UNTIL she plays the round and round game Morten likes. The ice breaker was playing something Morten liked, not just what Lola wanted to do.

A great book to assist a child that's having a challenge connecting with someone and open them up to doing what someone else wants to do, in balance and at the right time, and creating a lasting friendship.

[Dolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute book about making friends, compromises and finding things you have in common with a new friend. Charlie and Lola stories are guaranteed pleasers in our house (especially if I don't read it in my very fake English accent!) We've read this one a couple of times.

[jacky · Rating 3 out of 5]

Charlie and Lola are now one of my go to series at the library, even though we don't watch the show. These books are always cute with some clever creativity. I really like how Child captures the spunk of Lola. This one is less funny than some of the others. Instead, this one is about Lola's presonality presisting over a shy new friend's resistence.

[Josiah · Rating 1 out of 5]

It's always fun to see Morten Lowe, and this is the book adaptation of the first time that he and Lola meet. There are some fun spots in the book, as there were in the episode of the Charlie & Lola television series, and I would increase my rating to one and a half stars.

[Nicola · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a sweet book about compromise and befriending someone who you think is different from you.
I love all of Lauren Child's illustrations, the pictures mixed in with drawings. The colors are so vibrant and of course Lola is just so quirky. Fun books, my girls have always loved them.

[Huda Fel · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't think I got it
Charlie's friend brings his little brother with him
but
He doesn't like to talk much

What would Lola do about that?

[Liz · Rating 2 out of 5]

Had not read a "Charlie and Lola" book and did not realize it was a tv series... illustrations were from the tv animation. Lola and Marten become friends...

[Daniell]

Lola reminds me of Elise! Finally, a character series I can stand to read!