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Lola Dutch #1
Lola Dutch
Meet Lola Dutch, a delightfully creative girl who is bursting with grand ideas. From the best ways to serve breakfast -- an elegant feast! -- to the ideal sleeping spot -- a majestic blanket fort, of course! -- Lola is inspired all day long. Her dear companion Bear sometimes says she is just too much, but Lola is rich with imagination and originality, which even Bear will agree is AMAZING.The unstoppable Lola Dutch is about to show you how to make every day grand and full of fun. You'll love her so much! Inspired by their own four gorgeously feisty children, Sarah Jane and Kenneth Wright are thrilled to introduce the unstoppable Lola Dutch and her fresh, fun, commercial, character-driven series with this audio eBook.
40 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2018
3 people are currently reading
300 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 93 reviews
February 21, 2018
My niece loves this book. Lola wears a pink tutu and has bright ideas = what's not to love. The art is bright and peppy and she is adored by her animal friends. I get why my niece loves this.
Lola is a creative girl and she likes to do things to the extreme. It's not enough to have one idea, you fix breakfast for the each person. It's not enough to get a few books, you check out 100s. There are no limits to her imagination and creativity. This is the good part of the story.
Bear is the center and tries to keep her grounded. I enjoy this story too, and my only thought is that, creativity is one thing, having no boundaries and limits is another. We are living on a planet with 7 billion people all using resources. Lola wasted a lot of food to make all the fancy. Being conscious of how much we use seems like a good thing to me. I know this story isn't about that and it's about fun and creativity. Anyway, It's a fun, bright happy book and there are many children who are going to love this book.
Last thing, why is one of her friends a gator? It's an interesting choice. Maybe the author wanted green.
Lola is a creative girl and she likes to do things to the extreme. It's not enough to have one idea, you fix breakfast for the each person. It's not enough to get a few books, you check out 100s. There are no limits to her imagination and creativity. This is the good part of the story.
Bear is the center and tries to keep her grounded. I enjoy this story too, and my only thought is that, creativity is one thing, having no boundaries and limits is another. We are living on a planet with 7 billion people all using resources. Lola wasted a lot of food to make all the fancy. Being conscious of how much we use seems like a good thing to me. I know this story isn't about that and it's about fun and creativity. Anyway, It's a fun, bright happy book and there are many children who are going to love this book.
Last thing, why is one of her friends a gator? It's an interesting choice. Maybe the author wanted green.
November 5, 2019
Some readers will likely find this a bit... much. It's unabashedly over-the-top in the "cute" and "precious" and "precocious" categories. Yet, I couldn't help but smile as I read it. Couldn't help but feel that, too many times, I'm the stodgy old bear who finds my little ones a bit "much" and, gosh, why can't I go back and be more like Lola and just have a grand over-the-top time without feeling tired or worried about the mess or how I'm ever going to fix dinner in time. The ending helped me feel better ;-) Grown-up me appreciated that Lola wears pink and a tutu and also enjoys a variety of pursuits like doing science experiments and reading Shakespeare (I warned you it's precocious) and the inclusion of some works of art by famous artists is a nice touch, though I do think better could have been provided . Bumping up a star because, oh my goodness, if my childhood self had read this she would be in love. You see, there are Lola Dutch and Bear paper dolls inside the back cover flap and... a fold out doll house inside the cover!!! Now, I can only let my imagination run wild with how lovely this would be, because I have a library copy (argh!) and have no idea what it actually looks like. As a little aside, I had no idea this illustrator is the Sarah Jane of Sarah Jane Studios, an Etsy shop I have long admired.
January 30, 2018
You know how you can tell a picture book is a hit? When your 6 year old permanently keeps it in the "currently reading" basket we have for our kids in the dining room. Because she IS currently reading it. Every day she asks us to read it to her, she plays with the puppets that are a part of the jacket (there is a whole house scene on the inside to use with the puppets that can be cut out of one of the jacket flap extenstions!!), and she runs around wearing the headband that Bloomsbury sent as part of the publicity package singing "Lola Dutch is a little bit much!" over and over again.
I'll be buying this for my library and as a gift for every little girl that has been told she is a little bit much ......... which I can definitely relate to ;-)
Thanks a million to Bloomsbury for providing me with a complimentary review copy, AND for the headband!
I'll be buying this for my library and as a gift for every little girl that has been told she is a little bit much ......... which I can definitely relate to ;-)
Thanks a million to Bloomsbury for providing me with a complimentary review copy, AND for the headband!
January 18, 2018
This book is just as cute as it looks! I love Lola Dutch! She’s spunky, sweet & sassy! She reminds me of someone I knew long ago! The illustrations are charming and the message is delightful! So much fun to read!! I LOVE IT!!!
September 1, 2018
WHY CAN'T I GO BACK AND TIME AND GIVE THIS BOOK TO CHILD-ME?!
The story is cute, but the main reason I want to send this book back in time is because in the edition I've seen on the backside of the dust jacket is a dollhouse, which includes a Lola and her Bear that you can cut out. Do you know how much I would've loved that? Two of my favourite things were (*cough* are) paper dolls and layouts of houses. Sigh. Actually the official site has a PDF of all the characters for you to cut-out. I just downloaded it because why not!
The story is cute, but the main reason I want to send this book back in time is because in the edition I've seen on the backside of the dust jacket is a dollhouse, which includes a Lola and her Bear that you can cut out. Do you know how much I would've loved that? Two of my favourite things were (*cough* are) paper dolls and layouts of houses. Sigh. Actually the official site has a PDF of all the characters for you to cut-out. I just downloaded it because why not!
November 9, 2025
I love Lola Dutch! I want to raise a Lola Dutch of my own. She's whimsical and wonderful and so utterly herself. This book is full of my kind of girl power. Not feminism and barely disguised morals about being a strong woman. No, this book is just a sweet story about an energetic, creative, whirlwind of a girl and the bear that loves her. I hope every little girl has this many amazing ideas and a great big bear of a parent who loves her enough to let her explore all her ideas.
11/9/25
It's fitting that I reread this story on my daughter's 24th birthday. I did, in fact, raise a Lola Dutch of my own. And, her Daddy was definitely bear. ;0)
11/9/25
It's fitting that I reread this story on my daughter's 24th birthday. I did, in fact, raise a Lola Dutch of my own. And, her Daddy was definitely bear. ;0)
October 9, 2018
What’s to love about this self-centered girl who lords her privileged status over a menagerie of servants? In this fable about bourgeois excess, Lola engages in conspicuous consumption (food, books, art supplies) with the help of her coterie of “friends”: Bear, whom she treats like a butler; and Piglet, Gator, and Crane, who are ordered about like handmaids or retainers. At the end of the day, has she learned anything about the morality of her selfish choices or the pathological effects of consumerism? Ask Bear. Bourgeois Lola Dutch is definitely too much.
Colorful, well-crafted illustrations earn the second star.
Colorful, well-crafted illustrations earn the second star.
August 1, 2017
What a creative character! Love her!
June 13, 2018
Love Lola who is a bit like Olivia, and I love the art, which reminds me of Lovable Lyle, and I love Lola's friends, and Lola's over the top ideas. But if her plans are extravagant, still she is considerate of others and she cleans up after herself. Charming.
And there's a special added attraction: paper dolls to cyr off the dust jacket flap and a house on the back of the dust jacket.
Library copy
And there's a special added attraction: paper dolls to cyr off the dust jacket flap and a house on the back of the dust jacket.
Library copy
May 25, 2018
This is just too adorable and the illustrations are a triumph.
January 22, 2020
1/21/20 Read with Julia
August 30, 2019
We all know at least one child like Lola. Very cute illustrations.
February 16, 2018
Is it bad that I don't think Lola Dutch is too much at all? I hope my little turns out just like her - because I see a lot of myself in Lola! :-p Breakfast? Must be an AFFAIR. The library? A launchpad for PROJECTS. Art! Blanket forts! We need it ALL!!!
February 18, 2018
No such thing as too much imagination.
February 9, 2018
The premise of this story sounds a little puffed up and bland - Lola is a young girl with OTT tendencies. However once you begin Lola's day with her and her merry troop of friends, it is anything but dreary. Bear is Lola's avantgarde monitor, balancing her 'too muchness' with his more conservative conventional approaches to everyday events such as breakfast and bath time, until by bedtime even Lola finds it all too much. Wistful and wildly good fun, Lola Dutch is a lovely showcase of friendship, tolerance and exuberance. It is also beautifully illustrated and (if you have the hardback version) comes complete with Lola and Bear cut-outs that you can use on the doll house included on the reverse side of the dust jacket. Love it! And so will extravagant-loving pre-schoolers.
February 8, 2018
This one landed right on my must buy list after I was drawn in by the cover. Lola reminds me so much of my daughter! She also gives her library card and kitchen a good work out, and she loves art... so I kind of loved that too. Cute story with bright illustrations inspired by famous classic artworks, that remind me a bit of how the Olivia books are great starting points in art appreciation. Look closely at the pictures when you read this one. This is definitely one I recommend sharing! Read & LOVE!
February 13, 2018
Really adored this. :-)
February 3, 2018
Lola Dutch is phenomenal! My girls and I initially fell in love with the cover art, but the entire story is one to keep near and dear to our hearts. Lola embodies the finest parts of all three of my children; creative, imaginative, sensitive and joyful. We loved how passionate Lola was about making everyday things fancy and extravagant. I won't spoil the end, but it rings true that sometimes you just need some of your most simple comforts at the end of the day.
As an art major; I appreciate the nod to classic artists depicted on almost every page. Those renderings were a great talking point for my little ones and launched us into deeper conversations on Monet, Matisse and Michelangelo. Sarah Jane Wright has a beautiful illustrative style that makes us want to jump into each page and live there forever. We especially loved all of the extra details that were tucked into the reverse side of the book jacket. So clever!
We loved reading about Lola's adventures in her first book and look forward to what hopefully becomes many more!
As an art major; I appreciate the nod to classic artists depicted on almost every page. Those renderings were a great talking point for my little ones and launched us into deeper conversations on Monet, Matisse and Michelangelo. Sarah Jane Wright has a beautiful illustrative style that makes us want to jump into each page and live there forever. We especially loved all of the extra details that were tucked into the reverse side of the book jacket. So clever!
We loved reading about Lola's adventures in her first book and look forward to what hopefully becomes many more!
February 7, 2018
We had three Lolas that I had to keep up with every day during the 1980s-90s! This is a beautiful book, with rhyming text and magical, colorful, and detailed illustrations. My husband and I especially like Lola's renditions of famous artworks. The theme of smart, creative, children being "a bit much" for their parents and friends is handled with humor and loving care by this author and artist couple. I bought a copy even though I don't have any kids at home, but I look forward to sharing it with grandchildren someday.
January 30, 2018
This book was just released today and is the one and only picture book I have ever pre-ordered. The creativity kit I would receive as a pre-order bonus gift may have twisted my arm a bit, but I did really just love the whole concept of a story about a creative little girl bursting with ideas who is sometimes "a little bit much." We opened this when it arrived and my 2.5 year old son requested it three times in a row at naptime -- and he was trying for a few more repeats! He's my "little bit much" as I'm sure many parents can relate :) Just an all-around fantastic picture book -- highly recommended. And I'm so excited this is just the first Lola Dutch adventure and there are at least two more books in the works!
P.S. The dust jacket has an extra long flap with two cut-outs that can be made into puppets and the inside of the jacket itself is a doll house you can play with :)
P.P.S. More puppets are in the creativity kit (plus a whole bunch of other stuff) and I'm pretty sure the kit will be available for purchase at some point if you didn't pre-order.
P.P.P.S. The book's dedication is just downright adorable :)
P.S. The dust jacket has an extra long flap with two cut-outs that can be made into puppets and the inside of the jacket itself is a doll house you can play with :)
P.P.S. More puppets are in the creativity kit (plus a whole bunch of other stuff) and I'm pretty sure the kit will be available for purchase at some point if you didn't pre-order.
P.P.P.S. The book's dedication is just downright adorable :)
May 24, 2019
Lola Dutch is a little much, and that makes her adorable.
March 14, 2024
What a cute children’s book with a main character I certainly can relate to. This made for a really fun storytime! The kids loved Lola’s animal friends and eccentricity.
February 6, 2018
I love Sarah Jane's sweet and playful art. The book she and her husband wrote together is just as sweet. Whimsical illustrations full of possibilities and friends who support the adventure of life. Read it with your creative little one who never has a shortage of AMAZING ideas for their day.
February 7, 2018
Loved it!
January 28, 2018
Be sure you look behind the dust jacket!
This would be good to pair with This Is My Dollhouse.
This would be good to pair with This Is My Dollhouse.
January 29, 2018
This is really a 3 1/2!
January 26, 2018
Super sweet!
August 8, 2024
At first, I was thinking, "why are we trying to dim Lola's light by saying she's too much?" But that's just the exasperation of a parent for you. Bear's worries were valid! Lola was unconcerned! She doesn't take any criticism to heart. She's a hero. And these illustrations are just too precious!
February 17, 2018
A high energy girl with lots of creativity get the support she needs from Bear.
Love her tutu dress and the white collar.
Love her tutu dress and the white collar.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 93 reviews