Lulu and the Duck in the Park (Lulu #1)

"Lulu was famous for animals," opens this sparkling series launch, first published in the U.K., about Lulu, an irrepressible girl with a penchant for acquiring pets. And, McKay explains in her characteristically understated and cheerful narrative, "it was very lucky for Lulu that her mother was famous for saying, 'The more, the merrier.' " Lulu's adventures begin when her dog follows her to school (thanks to the trail of treats she drops en route), agitating the class guinea pig and further irritating her gruff teacher. The crux of the novel is Lulu's rescue of a duck egg she finds after dogs storm the park during a class outing. She sneaks the egg into school and, in one of many droll and endearing scenes, quacks to the egg so "it doesn't get lonely." Though aimed at a younger audience than McKay's Exiles novels and series about the Casson family, this offering has similarly abundant humor and heart. Lamont's (Animal Rescue Team) robust cartoon spot art offers lively, loose portraits of the story's human and animal characters alike. Ages 7-9. (Sept.)

Gr 1-3--In this entertaining chapter book, readers are introduced to irrepressible Lulu, "famous for her love of animals." She loves her old dog, Sam, as much as the spiders in her house. She loves the snails in her garden as much as her hamster and guinea pig. Lulu's mother is famous for saying, "The more the merrier. As long as Lulu cleans up after them." However, her teacher is almost as famous for not liking animals. When Lulu's dog follows her to school, Mrs. Holiday declares that if any child brings an animal into the room as a visitor, the class guinea pig will have to go live elsewhere. Then, on a trip to the park, after a wild rumpus in which two overly enthusiastic dogs trample all of a mother duck's spring nests, Lulu notices an intact egg. She gently places it in her pocket on the way back to the classroom. Her best friend and cousin, Mellie, is sworn to secrecy and becomes an accomplice as they try to hide and protect it. McKay's pacing is spot-on, and the story moves briskly. Lamont's black-and-white illustrations capture the sparkle in Lulu's eyes and the warmth and fuzziness of a newly hatched duckling. The satisfying ending will have children awaiting the next installment in what is likely to become a hit series for fans of other plucky characters like Horrible Harry, Stink, and Junie B. Jones.--Lisa Kropp, Suffolk Cooperative Library System, Bellport, NY