Want personalized picks that fit your family?
Set preferences to see our top age-appropriate picks for your kids.
Lulu Series
Common Sense says
- Hilary McKay
- Animals
- 2014
Parents say
Kids say
Searching for streaming and purchasing options ...
Common Sense is a nonprofit organization. Your purchase helps us remain independent and ad-free.
Get it now on
Searching for streaming and purchasing options ...
Common Sense is a nonprofit organization. Your purchase helps us remain independent and ad-free.
A lot or a little?
The parents' guide to what's in this book.
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that Hilary McKay’s Lulu series is a great series for kids who adore animals. Lulu is the animal lover, but her best friend Mellie is always ready to jump in and help her with a stray dog or a found egg that’s ready to hatch. Their friendship is sweet, and Lulu’s entire family is optimists. When things go wrong, they’re always looking on the bright side. The tone of the adults in a book can have an amazing impact on 0.readers, and in this case, it’s all positivity.
Stay up to date on new reviews.
User Reviews
- Parents say
- Kids say
There aren't any reviews yet. Be the first to review this title.
There aren't any reviews yet. Be the first to review this title.
What's the story?
Animals and friends are intertwined in the LULU series, which follows best friends Lulu and Mellie on day-to-day adventures. The places they go are common -- the park, the beach, their neighborhood -- but their interactions with the animals will leave animal lovers envious. Lulu has a way with animals, and always helps the ones who are lost, injured or scared. Lulu’s parents are full of laughter and support her love of animals, but make sure she’s the one responsible for their care.
Is it any good?
These stories will delight any animal lover. Lulu doesn’t always know what to do, but the adults are there to help her out with advice and support. When there are problems with the animals, her parents, extended family, teachers, and others are positive and kind, and never make Lulu feel like animals or her love of them are a burden. While it is never mentioned in the stories, the wonderful illustrations on every page show that Lulu and her family are black, as are some of the kids in her class. This incidental diversity is a fluid part of the story, fitting right in with all the other small details that make the Lulu series fun, warm, engaging books to read.
Talk to your kids about ...
Families can talk about how having a pet looks in the Lulu series. What do you think Lulu has to do to take care of her animals before school every morning? Does it seem like a big respnsibility?
Why do you think Lulu is more careful with animals she’s just met? Why is this important?
What are some of your favorite books or movies about animals?
Book details
- Author: Hilary McKay
- Illustrator: Priscilla Lamont
- Genre: Animals
- Topics: Adventures, Cats, Dogs, and Mice, Friendship, Great Girl Role Models
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: Albert Whitman & Co.
- Publication date: March 1, 2014
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 7 - 10
- Number of pages: 112
- Available on: Paperback, Hardback, iBooks, Kindle
Themes & Topics
Browse titles with similar subject matter.
For kids who love animals
Our editors recommend
Top advice and articles
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.