About This Book
A parent might reach for this book when their child gets completely absorbed in a creative project, only to become intensely frustrated by interruptions. This story follows Lola as she tries to win a coloring contest, a task requiring 'really, really concentrating.' Her focus is constantly challenged by her brother Charlie, her friend Lotta, and her own wandering imagination. The book brilliantly captures the 'flow state' of creativity and normalizes the anger that can bubble up when that focus is broken. For ages 3-7, it's a humorous and visually charming way to talk about perseverance and managing big feelings during a task.
What Parents Should Know
Sensitive Topics
None. The story deals with the common childhood emotion of frustration in a light and humorous way. The resolution is entirely positive and supportive.
Ideal Reader
A 4 to 6-year-old who gets deeply invested in their projects but has a low frustration tolerance. This child might get upset when interrupted, when a crayon breaks, or when their creation doesn't look exactly as they imagined. It's also perfect for a child who struggles to tune out household noise or a younger sibling.
Parent Prep
No preparation is needed. This book can be read cold. The story is self-contained, and the signature Charlie and Lola dynamic is easy for any child to understand. The visual gags and text work together seamlessly. The parent has just witnessed their child, who was happily drawing, suddenly burst into tears or anger, yelling "You ruined it!" or "I can't do it anymore!" because of a small interruption or mistake. The parent is looking for a way to talk about focus and managing frustration.
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