Hoping to have a garden like the one in her poetry book, Lola plants seeds, waits and weeds, and finally celebrates with friends.The author and illustrator of Lola Loves Stories (2010) and its companion titles take their appealing character outside. Inspired by her favorite poem, the nursery rhyme Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary (repeated on the front endpapers), Lola chooses her favorite flowers from library books. Helped by her parents, she grows a grandly diverse flower garden, just right for a celebration with peas and strawberries from the family plot. Beardshaws acrylic illustrations show her garden in all its stages. They also show the copper-toned preschooler reading on her mothers lap, making a flower book, a beaded string with bells and shells, a little Mary Mary doll and cupcakes for the celebration. Her bunchy ponytails are redone, and her flower shirt is perfect for the party. Not only has she provided the setting; she makes up a story for her friends. The simple sentences of the text and charming pictures make this a good choice for reading aloud or early reading alone. On the rear endpapers, the nursery rhyme has been adapted to celebrate Lola, Lola, Extraordinary.Its gratifying to see Lolas love of books leading her to new experiences. (Picture book. 3-6) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

PreS-Gr 1-Lola loves her book of garden poems. In fact, reading it inspires her to plant her own garden, so she and her mother look at flowers in books at the library, and she chooses her favorites. They purchase seeds, and Lola plants them and marks the rows with the seed packets. While she waits for something to appear, she makes her own garden book and includes her favorite poem, "Mary Mary." Finally, Lola sees tiny green shoots. She watches as her flowers grow higher and higher. Flowers are everywhere. Lola invites her friends for a picnic, because the best part of having a garden is sharing it. This fourth, sweet story about Lola delivers with brightly colored acrylic depictions of an adorable child sharing special moments with her mother, reading books, and patiently waiting for her seeds to grow. Lola's bright, cherubic face shows curiosity, joy, and determination as she completes her project. Large, clear type allows for beginning readers to share the story with their parents. Engaging and inspiring to new gardeners everywhere, Lola is a delight.-Carol Connor, Cincinnati Public Schools, OH (c) Copyright 2012. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Lola wants a flower garden just like the one described in her favorite nursery rhyme, which begins Mary, Mary, quite contrary. With help from Mommy and Daddy, she plants seeds and waits for them to grow. Meanwhile, she makes three things: a book about flowers, a string of silver bells, and a little Mary Mary doll. The flowers grow and bloom, but the fun is just beginning. After making cupcakes with Mommy, Lola invites three friends to enjoy the garden, which now includes the shiny bells, little Mary Mary, and refreshments. First published in England, the simple story reads aloud well, while the acrylic paintings use warm colors and rounded forms to depict this engaging black child and her supportive parents. The many young children who love the other picture books in the Lola series, such as Lola Loves Stories (2010) and Lola Reads to Leo (2012), will enjoy watching Lola turn her poetry-inspired interest into an imaginative, child-sized adventure. A rewarding picture book to read and reread.--Phelan, Carolyn Copyright 2014 Booklist