My Extremely Busy Activity Pack (Charlie & Lola) - Lauren Child

Advantages: Light-hearted, imaginative, well illustrated
Disadvantages: None!

...the most mundane activities sound like an exciting adventure that Lola can't bring herself to miss out on. *Educational Value* This book encourages social awareness and skills to younger kids. It also acts as a great parental tool for those getting their little ones ready for the prospect of starting school for the first time. ***What did we think of the illustrations*** Lauren Child uses a mixture of bold black lines, flat colours and pattered pieces to create what can best be described as a "Kaleidoscopic collage." Her characters are firstly drawn using pencils (she refuses to us ink or pen) before being cut out and transferred to the computer. This method results in a very layered style of illustration throughout the book giving the reader an awful lot to look at and take in. My son can spend hours dissecting all the imagery... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Alluring to children and adults alike.
Disadvantages: None!

...My completley best story collection is a beautifuly written collection of stories.The lola character is as alluring as your own child so often i hear my daughter talking in the same manner, this makes it easier for your child to relate to all the topics used in the stories. It is also so refreshing to get to read the all important bedtime story and not be bored to tears but actually find yourself laughing along as sincerely as your child. I rated these stories as excellent as i truly think these books are the best i have bought for my daughter in a long time. The illustrations are unique using the whole page with beautiful pictures, bright colours and mixing actual pictures with the animated characters. I feel this collection is a must for any child with a thirst for knowledge and laughter as lola would say " this book is probably... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: Imaginative and Creative and Funny
Disadvantages: None

...be described as a "Kaleidoscopic collage." Her characters are firstly drawn using pencils (she refuses to us ink or pen) before being cut out and transferred to the computer. This method results in a much layered style of illustration throughout the book giving the reader an awful lot to look at and take in. My son can spend hours dissecting all the imagery on one page of Lauren Childs work. The bright colours and busy patterns are extremely stimulating to any child and the quirky un-evenness Child uses adds to the child-like quality of her pictures. I also find the characters are much more prominent and recognisable in this manner of illustration as they represent a simpler, cleaner image which is in direct contrast to the messy, busy torn patterned pictures that make up the background. The other characters that feature in this story add... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful