  | Full Text Reviews: School Library Journal - 04/01/2017 PreS-Gr 1—There is something magical about the curiosity of a preschooler. Just about everything is interesting; their minds are wide open, waiting to embrace new knowledge. In the latest installment of the popular series, Ladybug Girl embodies this insatiable curiosity. She is visiting the natural history museum with her grandfather. Ladybug Girl is excited about so many exhibits—from dinosaurs to elephants to emeralds—that she flits from one to the next, just like a ladybug. Although her grandfather tries to tell her to take her time and be still in order to learn more, Ladybug Girl isn't able to heed his advice until she discovers the butterfly room. It is a magical moment when she slows down enough to allow a butterfly to land on her, and she whispers, "I can fly too…. I am Ladybug Girl." The child's vibrant personality and exuberance shine through the sweet story and the charming illustrations. Soman uses natural tones, mostly in browns and blues, to depict the exhibits in the museum, allowing Ladybug Girl, in her red costume, to be the star of every page. This book highlights the joy children feel when sharing a special day with a beloved relative, without their parents around. VERDICT A wonderful addition to the series for one-on-one and small group sharing.—Sally James, South Hillsborough Elementary School, Hillsborough, CA - Copyright 2017 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission. Booklist - 05/15/2017 In the latest entry in the Ladybug Girl series, Lulu—a little girl who believes that her costume of antennae, wings, and red, polka-dotted boots gives her superpowers—takes a trip with her grandfather to the natural-history museum. Lulu wants to learn everything, and grows so excited with what she sees that she grows a bit hyper, running from one exhibit to the other without pause. Ink-and-watercolor illustrations do a great job of showcasing and detailing the exhibits, from the long-necked dinosaur skeleton looming over the Great Hall to dioramas to the gem collection (complete with meteorite) to the butterfly pavilion. Lulu’s grandfather looks calm and patient, in spite of the way his granddaughter keeps buzzing around. Finally, an exhibit on how caterpillars slowly turn into butterflies provides the lesson that being still can produce something marvelous. This latest book doesn’t give Ladybug Girl’s background, so a few moments could puzzle readers who are new to the series, but they’ll have no trouble getting swept up in Lulu’s enthusiasm for the museum. - Copyright 2017 Booklist. Loading...
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