  | Full Text Reviews: Booklist - 02/01/2013 Lottie, an exuberant African American preschooler, returns in a second zestful picture book. Lottie likes to wake beneath the stars and, in a sure nod to Madeleine L’Engle, the swiftly tilting planets that adorn her ceiling. Her favorite activity, however, is visiting the best place in the world—the library—where she knows she shouldn’t yell or color in the books, and where she “follows the rules, mostly.” Carl, a dinosaur devotee, also remembers not to blow bubbles in the library or spill food on books—sometimes. When these two enthusiastic readers meet in the children’s book room, an instant friendship forms. The bright gouache paintings, swirling with texture and patterns, depict a child’s perspective in which Lottie’s Papa Pete and other adults remain obscured while Lottie and Carl’s parallel play (or in this case, parallel dreaming) builds their friendship. A delightful book for sharing before a trip to the library, during library storytime, or simply to activate a preschooler’s imagination. - Copyright 2013 Booklist. School Library Journal - 03/01/2013 K-Gr 2—Lottie Paris is back after her debut in Lottie Paris Lives Here (S & S, 2011). She's still the same lively, imaginative child, this time decked out in large purple boots. Waking up one morning in her canopy bed decorated with stars and planets and spaceships, "she imagines herself floating among them." And, on a full spread, she smiles dreamily. Soon, Papa Pete is walking her to the library. As in the earlier book, adults are present, but just barely. Their legs, or hands, or shoulders are seen, but never their faces. The focus is clearly on Lottie and her soon-to-be-new-friend Carl. She is excited to be in the "best place," but she still knows (mostly) that you can't yell, let your dog inside, or draw in the books. Meanwhile, Carl is waking up, happy to be among the dinosaurs decorating his bed sheets and room. Soon, his big sister, Eva, is driving him to the library, his "best place," as well. Carl also knows (mostly) a few rules about the library: don't blow bubbles, keep your yogurt away from the books, and don't crawl under tables pretending that adults' feet are dinosaur snacks. It's inevitable that Lottie Paris and Carl will meet as they stroll down the aisles that hold their favorite subjects: astronomy and dinosaurs. Together they relax on the big furniture, lost in their books and thoughts. This is a sweet story about friendship, libraries, books, and dreams. Fischer's stylized, yet realistic illustrations are rendered in gouache using different applications. They capture the children's spirit in their charming and sometimes goofy expressions. A fine choice.—Roxanne Burg, Orange County Public Library, CA - Copyright 2013 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission. Loading...
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