But Excuse Me That Is My Book (review)

The ever-opinionated, mostly inflexible Lola has developed an obsessive devotion to a library book entitled Beetles, Bugs, and Butterflies. When Lola's book is nowhere to be found on her next trip to the library, wise older brother Charlie tries in vain to introduce her to the joys of the kinds of books he finds interesting, but it is not until he listens to her requirements that he is able to find an adequate substitute. Child works her signature magic with figure, texture, and perspective as usual here, but with the added bonus of moving Charlie and Lola in and out of books and bookshelves. Their utter immersion in the world of the library is illustrated both literally (in photo-based collage) and metaphorically to charming effect; the spreads featuring them on a bridge in a blue-willow pattern in a pop-up book and Lola's first experience with the Cheetahs and Chimpanzees book are especially arresting. Charlie once again proves that he has what it takes to be a super big brother, and everyone learns a lesson in librarianship to boot. What more could one want in a library book?