Lola Dutch, when I grow up by Kenneth and Sarah Jane Wright

Bloomsbury, 2019. ISBN 9781681195544.
(Age: 4-7) Recommended. Themes: Girls. Imagination. Careers. Animals. Lola Dutch is an energetic, imaginative, tutu wearing young girl whose life is one big adventure. Her best friend Bear is always there for her, supporting all her new ideas. Gator, Crane and Pig willingly assist with Lola's creative schemes. In Lola Dutch, when I grow up she is a tour de force, a whirlwind focussed on her future careers, pondering her potential vocations. Marching into this delightful story, she leads the parade in a cow-girl outfit, followed by a postie-swan, doctor pig and a gator king.
What will Lola be when she grows up? Lola declares this conundrum to be an emergency, so all her friends gather in Bear's book-lined den. Here a special volume catches her eye 'Opera through the ages', yes, she wants to be an opera singer destined for the stage. Everyone helps, building the stage, writing the music and designing an exquisite costume for Lola's first and only performance. Once she's achieved her first goal, she quickly moves on to the next career, as an inspirational inventor working through the stages from research through trial and error to building a wondrous flying machine. Not satisfied with this achievement, Lola's creativity blossoms as she plants a beautiful garden with Bear, Gator, Pig and Crane. Will that be enough for this inspired miss?
Sarah Jane Wright's whimsical gouache and watercolour paintings add stylishness; they burst boldly and energetically across the pages. Working collaboratively with her husband Kenneth, they have created a beautifully descriptive, inspirational story that will raise wonder and joy in the young reader. Paper dolls are included on the jacket reminiscent of the times past.
Lola Dutch, when I grow up is a wonderful read aloud providing opportunities and stepping stones for Science, Technology and Art.
Rhyllis Bignell