Ladybug Girl and the Rescue Dogs

January 15, 2018
Ladybug Girl Lulu and her dog, Bingo, help with a dog adoption event in this latest entry in the long-running series about a spunky girl who wears a ladybug costume wherever she goes. When Ladybug Girl and her mom are shopping at a farmers market, they meet members of a dog rescue group with several dogs ready for new homes. Ladybug Girl wants to take all the dogs home with her, but her mom explains that one dog is best for their family. Ladybug Girl helps out by carrying water to the dogs, and then she recruits her friends Bumblebee Boy and Grasshopper Girl to help by playing with the dogs and drawing more attention to the adoption event. They create some excitement by marching through the market with the dogs in a pet parade, leading to the adoption of one of the dogs. The story skillfully distills a complex issue into a situation that younger children can grasp, with concrete assistance from the Bug Squad kids, using their own ideas. Perky watercolor and ink illustrations show the charming children and cavorting canines from a variety of perspectives. Ladybug Girl and her family are white, as is Bumblebee boy; Grasshopper Girl and the woman from the animal shelter are black.Another satisfying adventure for Ladybug Girl's many fans. (Picture book. 4-7)

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February 1, 2018

PreS-Gr 2-The latest installment of the series has a great message that no matter how small one is, they can make a difference. While visiting a farmer's market in their town, Ladybug Girl notices some cute dogs from an animal shelter. When her parents explain that these dogs are looking for forever homes, Ladybug Girl decides that she and her friends need to help. They spend time caring for the animals and orchestrate a parade through the market. In the end, they match a family with a big happy dog, further adding to the warm feelings that this story provides. With its feel-good message and young characters, this will be a favorite among young patrons. The vibrant illustrations amp up the cuteness factor. VERDICT A great addition for any primary school or public library, especially where this series is popular.-Jasmine L. Precopio, Fox Chapel Area School District, Pittsburgh

Copyright 2018 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

March 12, 2018
In her latest outing, Lulu, clothed as always in her Ladybug Girl attire, “flies around the farmer’s market, pointing to the colorful fruits and vegetables. “All the colors make a rainbow!” she says. Another sight at the market that interests Lulu—and Bingo, her steadfast basset hound—is that of dogs waiting under a sign that says “Adopt a Dog.” Lulu wants to adopt all of the dogs, which range from a small dachshund to a big, shaggy sheepdog, and in an especially gleeful scene, Davis shows what it might look like if eight additional dogs lived in her house. Lulu decides it is a bit much, and her mother tells her that “one dog is the right amount for our family.” When the rest of the “Bug Squad” (Grasshopper Girl and Bumblebee Boy) shows up, the three are determined to help in other ways: they play with the dogs, fill their bowls, and introduce them to prospective adopters. Soman and Davis deliver another Ladybug Girl adventure with heartwarming authenticity. Ages 3–5.

January 1, 2019
In the popular series' latest cheery story, "Ladybug Girl" Lulu wants to rescue all the dogs at the farmers' market adoption stand, but she settles for bringing them water. When her "Bug Squad" friends join her, they organize an attention-grabbing dog parade to help the dogs find homes. Ink and watercolor illustrations capture the costumed heroes' energy and spirit.

(Copyright 2019 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)