A sweet story about a girl who loves animals, a dog who fears humans, and a not-so-perfect family vacation. This was a fun read-aloud with my daughter. It generated some good discussion about why people in the town might not like a stray dog. ( )

Adult Reader Reaction: Lulu and Mellie are fun to be with. Lulu adores animals, and by the end of the first chapter you can predict where this is going. The wholesomeness of it is refreshing, and I liked how Lulu and Mellie asked the townspeople about the dog to learn more. Great initiative. What I didn't like, though, is Lulu climbing out the window at night. She and Mellie are seven! I also thought the cottage owner's character was a little overdone for the minimal role that she played in the story.

Pros: Humor and realism combine in this fun story for animal lovers.

Cons: Mellie and Lulu made some dangerous choices climbing out the window to feed the dog, and then later to fly Mellie's kite. The author missed a great opportunity to help children better understand the impact of these kinds of decisions. She could easily do it without being heavy-handed or overdoing it.

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Lulu and her cousin go with Lulu’s parents rent a house for a vacation by the sea and encounter the Dog from the Sea. It’s a homeless dog who scavenges for food and water and who has alienated himself from all the residents by digging in their trash. Lulu and her cousin lose their hearts to this dog. You know what’s going to happen and you are glad it does. ( )

I bought the Lulu books as soon as they came out, several years ago. Hilary McKay, diversity that's not focused on said diversity, and animals - what's not to love? I never actually got around to reading them, since they are almost always checked out or I'm recommending someone to check them out so I was pleased when two were nominated for Cybils and I could justify taking them home.

In the second Lulu story, Lulu and the Dog from the Sea, Lulu and her family (including her cousin Mellie and her old dog Sam) are going to the beach for a week! Everyone in the family has a different plan; Lulu's dad is going to train to run a marathon, her mom is going to read, Mellie is going to make a perfect kite, and Lulu quickly decides, as soon as they arrive, that she's going to make friends with the mysterious stray dog that's hanging around the cottage. Although things don't go exactly as planned, everyone gets what they want, more or less, and Lulu is delighted to add another pet to her collection at home.

In Lulu's third story, her Nan is watching Mellie and Lulu while their parents are gone for a week. Nan doesn't like animals at all and definitely thinks Lulu has too many! When Lulu finds a stray cat, Nan is absolutely horrified; but this isn't just any cat, it turns out to be a cat that's perfect for a gardener, just like Gran.

These stories are utterly delightful. There's a slight air of unreality about them - Lulu is just a little too perfectly behaved, but that's part of the appeal. It's refreshing to read a story about a little girl who isn't having dramatic break-ups with her friends, conflicts with her teachers, or arguments with her siblings on every other page. These are exactly what they appear to be - sweet, funny stories about a little girl who loves animals. Dog from the sea is a little more cliched I felt, with the stray dog, Lassie-type theme, but it's still sweet. Cat in the bag was hilarious - I laughed all through Charlie's deadpan delivery of his antics and Nan was a perfectly peppery character.

Priscilla Lamont's illustrations are perfectly suited for a beginning chapter book. Simple black and white sketches, they bring out the characters and events in the book with small motifs and a few half-page spreads.

Verdict: If you don't already have Lulu in your library, go out and add her! Hilary McKay's writing is sweet and strong with enough animals and humor to keep kids reading and a well-written story that parents will enjoy helping struggling readers or even reading aloud to younger listeners. Lulu belongs in every library; highly recommended.

Dog from the sea
ISBN: 9780807548202

Cat in the bag
ISBN: 9780807548042

Published 2013 by Albert Whitman; Borrowed from the library

Lulu and her family soon discover that the stray dog from the sea, who has been living at the beach by the sand dunes, is a thief and a menace, while staying in a 4 room cottage off a bumpy, potholed road. Lulu decides on her vacation to tame the dog and make friends with him because the dog seems lonely. Melanie is Lulu's 7 year old cousin and they are best friends although they have different hobbies since Melanie likes to make kites and Lulu loves dozens of animals immensely. While Lulu's mother reads her book and the dad smuggles rocks, a problem arises when Melanie falls with a hurt ankle and the dog who was abandoned as a pup, that the whole town wants to catch, is now chasing bubbles and a frisbee. You'll love the conclusion of this adventurous story, especially if you love animals! Very nice illustrations compliment the book. ( )