I'm the Boss!

January 15, 2022
Little Lulu thinks they are the boss in this French Canadian import translated by Simard. "Your job is to give me everything I ask for, okay?" says the tiny, ruffle-eared blue blob of a monster to a larger red blob of a monster, apparently a caregiver. Their first demand is for "a cake with lots of candy on top," which the grown-up monster flatly turns down. Lulu then demands a garbage truck and permission to drive it...also a no. The things she orders her grown-up to supply--only to be denied each time--grow increasingly ludicrous: a dinosaur egg with a baby dino in it, a fire-breathing robot, a real-life airplane, and even a chocolate castle. For each desired object, Lulu is careful to specify that they want "a big one! Right now!'" Finally, the little scamp bursts into tears: "It's not FAIR! You always say NO! I'm SAD. I want a HUG." This time the response from the big red monster, though familiar, is not the same: "A big one? Right now?" Caregivers of little ones will definitely see their headstrong charges in Lulu (even if the little tyrants don't see themselves). The tale is told entirely in dialogue, and the histrionic, imperious refrain will make for a fun read-aloud. Gravel's signature heavily lined cartoon illustrations are bright, minimalist, and representational. (This book was reviewed digitally.) Simple, true-to-life, and fun. (Board book. 1-4)

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May 1, 2022

PreS-K-A small blue monster with all the temerity of a preschooler declares herself the boss, and who is to argue? The evidence is laid out in this cheerful board book, in scene after scene of her demands-"I want a garbage truck and I want to drive it myself! A big one! Right now!"-being politely refused by her large red caregiver. "No, Lulu, I can't give you a garbage truck and let you drive it yourself!" This call-and-negative-response continues right through to the penultimate demand; "I want a funny monkey! A big one! Right now!" but the parent-monster can grant the next and final request. "Yes, Lulu, I can give you a big hug." Lap-sitters and other listeners will be all in on Lulu's tantrum, and the common-sense calm of each soothing "No." Bright, simple shapes and a deliberately repetitive layout give toddlers plenty to point to and anticipate, in a funny, right-out-of-real-life exploration of how to reach a win-win truce. VERDICT For baby story hours, the lilt of the text and the sharply defined shapes will have the audience enthralled.-Kimberly Olson Fakih

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