Parents' Guide to

Ladybug Girl

By Tracy Moore, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 3+

Sweet story and pictures celebrate unstructured play.

Book Jacky Davis , David Soman Picture Book 2008
Ladybug Girl Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this book.

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What's the Story?

Lulu is looking for some fun, but Mom and Dad are busy, and her older brother thinks she's too little to play baseball with him. Lulu, in her LADYBUG GIRL costume, and her dog Bingo have to make their own fun. At first she's disappointed, but as the morning progresses, Ladybug Girl and Bingo, guided by their curiosity and imagination, find a few adventures of their own.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say Not yet rated
Kids say (1 ):

Ladybug Girl may seem quaint compared with superhero adventures and princesses in their magical castles, but it's a terrific book about making your own fun by using nothing but your own imagination. David Soman's dreamy watercolor and ink illustrations and Jacky Davis' evocative language bring to life a nostalgic, aimless morning with a spunky girl and her dog.

For kids who have trouble occupying themselves, consider it a roadmap. For those who have no trouble dreaming up fun with nothing more than a cardboard box, it will reinforce the bounty of thinking outside of it. And parents will appreciate a book that reminds them of their own childhoods, when spending free time in the yard was just part of what it meant to be a kid.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about superheroes, and why it's fun to pretend to be one. How does Lulu think and act differently when she's Ladybug Girl? What kind of superhero would you like to be?

  • Ladybug Girl's disappointed that she has no one to play with. Have you ever felt this way? How did you deal with your feelings?

  • Lulu feels small when her brother says she's too little to play with. Have you ever felt in the way, or that people didn't want you around? What did you do about it?

Book Details

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