Ladybug Girl and Bingo

May 28, 2012
Even on a family camping trip, Ladybug Girl wears her wings, antennae, tutu, and polka-dot boots. Riding a canoe and having a picnic offer new adventures, but exploring the woods with her dog Bingo means being especially careful to hold his leash so he doesn’t run off. When Ladybug Girl does accidentally lose Bingo, she’s determined to find him. With Lulu’s self-assurance and inquisitive nature, and just enough tension to keep readers on their toes, Ladybug Girl continues to shine—as does Soman’s art, which works wonders with the forest setting. Ages 3–up.

May 1, 2012

K-Gr 2-Ladybug Girl and her trusty dog head into their latest adventure with all the imagination and pluck that children have come to expect from this delightful duo. This time Lulu's family is going camping, and the lure of the great outdoors has Bingo in a sniffing frenzy. Papa quickly snaps a leash on him and warns Lulu to hold on tight so he won't run off and get lost. They go exploring and, with her usual knack for finding delight in her surroundings, Ladybug Girl casts a spell on a "gnarly old wizard" (a tree), rides a "galloping giant turtle" (a large rock), and "sips tea with buttercup fairies" (butterflies). But Bingo proves difficult in the wild, and when he ultimately gets away from the child, she gathers her wits and resolve and sets off to find him. As with earlier titles, there is a skillful balance between Lulu's challenge and the reassuring presence of her parents, giving her the opportunity to figure things out on her own without putting herself in any real danger. Deep greens and blues of the forest dominate the watercolor-and-ink illustrations, and one noteworthy spread of them all drifting peacefully in a canoe invokes all that is wonderful about a family camping trip. A fine addition to the series and another reason to love Ladybug Girl.-Teri Markson, Los Angeles Public Library

Copyright 2012 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

July 1, 2012
Lulu (Ladybug Girl) promises not to let her dog Bingo run off during the family camping trip, but there are many distractions for the imaginative girl, and Bingo makes a break for it. The conflict is quickly resolved and from there the plot lacks a clear trajectory, but the lighthearted story, complemented by Soman's chipper illustrations, will appeal to Ladybug Girl's fans.

(Copyright 2012 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)