Lulu wants to fit in and be just like all the other beavers, but she is hiding a secret. This shy little beaver wants to be an artist. She is creative, but she fears what other beavers might think of her. Does she have the confidence to follow her dreams and be the beaver she wants to be? With themes of believing in oneself, pursuing passions with perseverance and determination and being true to you and loving your unique self, this is a great story. Lulu struggles with worry and anxiety and doubting herself as many kids do. But her friends encourage her to do what she wants to do. This is a clever, cute and creative book set up in a comic book style that will be perfect for classrooms, homes and counseling offices too.

Lulu is a beaver who wants to be an artist. Every time she makes a creation or daydreams of artistic endeavors, her self-doubt creeps in. She tells herself that beavers cannot be artists. Her friends around her are very supportive and remind her that she can be a beaver AND and an artist. They aren't mutually exclusive.

This book is a good reminder to kids and adults alike that we can be who we want to be. We don't have to be what we think others expect of us. In fact, the people who matter most just want us to be happy.

I love a good story about the power of art in it's many forms! This book was adorable and showed, in an age appropriate way, the power of following your dreams and passions and the power of art. The illustrations are also very appealing and honestly the perfect feel for this story.

Lulu is a lovely beaver, living with her family and friends. The only problem is, Lulu has a secret! She doesn’t want to be a normal beaver, she wants to be an artist! Something that no other beaver has done before! Even though she is scared, Lulu realises she has to follow her passion without listening to others’ opinions.
This lovely picture book teaches children about determination and making your dreams come true. It is a lovely example of how others sometimes don’t matter and that the most important thing in life is being true to who you are.
I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it to all children and parents who want a great lesson on how to be yourself and work on your dreams with determination and passion.

The story about following your dreams and being able to do what you want to do in life is a really powerful and important message that I think every child/person should hear. That is something I love about the book.
The pictures weren't my style; I think they were too simple.

Lulu the Beaver is a beautiful story about being your true self and not listening to society's "shoulds". It is a great message to teach young ones to follow their dreams. Yes, you can be a badger-and be an artist I loved this story. The illustrations are so unique, and I loved the bold colors. There was even a comic book inside the story-what a lovely surprise. I will definitely be reading this to my little ones!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the Arc of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I just reviewed Lulu the Beaver by Bethany Gano. #LulutheBeaver #NetGalley

Lulu the beaver keeps dreaming and making art, even though she knows she should be keeping her mind on chomping through trees. She's unhappy the harder she forces herself to focus, till she finally gives herself permission to consider a different path for herself.

It's important to dream, and the story shows how Lulu finds a way to both do what she really wants to do, and inspire others around her too, to explore their talents. The vibrant illustrations really support this idea.

Thank you to Netgalley and to Bunny Books LLC for this ARC in exchange for my review.

Some superb artwork but a piecemeal story.

There are some WONDERFUL pictures here - the CRASH page, comic-style strips and some flying scenes are just lovely. The colours on a dark background really stand out and the forests are really uniquely conveyed.

The story though, was a little confusing. Lulu is a beaver, but unlike those around her, dreams about being an artist. Friends try to encourage her to follow her passions. She's embarrassed to share it, then worried that beavers "chomp trees and build lodges". Can she be brave and follow her dreams?

I had questions all the way through. I didn't understand Lulu's problem - though school teaches her to build a dam, it felt a little empty with no parent or teacher figure ever speaking aloud the notion that her art is wrong - are they even aware of her dreams? There is no interaction with other beavers until the very end, so there is no overt disapproval to win over: it all seems to be in her head.

I also didn't understand what 'la la land' is. Maybe I just didn't like the term. I didn't really like saying out aloud.

I don't want to be too negative, the author/illustrator has put time and heart into her creation. I felt it didn't flow, was confusing, but was very pretty to look at with a good overall message but one that needed focusing more.

For ages 3-6.

With thanks to Netgalley for providing a sample reading copy.

I loved this book so much <3 It conveys a message very important for children in today's changing world.

Lulu the beaver wants to be an artist, unlike her family who are builders. But it takes her much convincing to realize that she can live her dreams without being a bad beaver. Lovely illustrations and powerful words Bethany Gano! Can't wait to read more by you!

This sweet children's book tells the story of a young beaver who often day dreams about being an artist. Lulu knows it's expected that she build lodges and chew branches, but she can't get all of the creative ideas out of her head. With the encouragement of her friends she finally gives in and lets her creativity flow!

This book has some really great messages about fitting in, doing what you're passionate about, having faith in yourself and being artistic and creative. The illustrations are detailed and unique and help tell the story. There is a few lines of text per page and the font is clear and easy to read, and is usually either black on white or white on dark coloured backgrounds. There are some speech bubbles and curved lines of text, but it should be pretty easy for even young readers to follow.

I would recommend this book to parents and teachers of children in the age 4-8 range. I could definitely see myself using this book in my classroom as part of a lesson. I also think the illustration style would be fun to explore with my students in art class. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me the chance to read and review this book!

Thank you NetGalley and Bunny Books LLC, Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), Members' Titles for accepting my request to read and review Lulu the Beaver.

Author: Bethany Gano
Published: 12/27/22
Genre: Children's Fiction -- Health, Mind, & Body -- Parenting & Families

The pretty cover caught my eye. I liked the muted cover color palette.

The story and illustrations were equally confusing. I didn't grasp a point to the story, and found the illustrations sketchy. Also, there is a typographical error: should be fish not fist.

In fairness, I am well above the targeted age for this book. I review children's books as if I'm picking up and reading for the first time to an unknown child.

A very sweet book which explores doubt and self belief really well.
It’s vital for kids to be their true selves and explore what they like and this is a great guide for younger. The Illustrations were beautiful, very colourful when Lulu believed in herself and darker when she didn’t. #LuLuTheBeaver #Netgalley

This story follows a young beaver who feels obligated to stay in the “family business”, but yearns to follow her own path. A sweet story with beautiful art.

I loved the concept of this book and following your dreams.

The illustrations were vibrant and interesting. I loved when Lulu shot off like a rocket spreading that light and color across the pages.

The story wasn’t as engaging as I had hoped. It was an alright story and the message was good, I just wanted it to flow a bit more.

Lulu the Beaver by Bethany Gano is a children’s book suitable for young readers.

Lulu is part of an industrious group of beavers who work hard gnawing through logs and wood. But, while she works, Lulu dreams of being an artist.

Encouraged by friends, Lulu travels by jetpack to visit other areas. This gives her the courage to realize her dream, by proving that your path does not have to be set in stone.

The illustrations are vivid and complement the story.

Toddlers will especially enjoy this book, making it a good addition to family & daycare libraries.

I received a digital copy through NetGalley. This review is my honest opinion.

4 of 5

One of those books intent on showing us we can do anything and be anyone, as a beaver called Lulu finds herself constantly breaking into the world of daydreams, and spells of creativity. She knows she ought to just kick back and munch trees and build things, but if her inner self is telling her to learn to fly, and to be an artist the likes of which no beaver has ever seen, what is to be done? It would probably be harder to create a failure with that premise as opposed to a success – and this is no failure. I can't say I liked the way it kept kind of apologetically breaking into rhymed narrative, but that is just about ignorable, making this a pleasure to read and to learn from alike.

The illustrations in Lulu the Beaver were stunning. We loved how Lulu overcame her fears of being unable to be an artist and truly let her gifts shine by the end of the book.

This brightly colorful picture book tells the story of a beaver who wants to be an artist but feels ashamed of being different from other beavers. The illustrations are stunningly vibrant and creative, and the book has a positive message about accepting yourself and pursuing your gifts. The text is a bit wordy, and I think that there are too many side characters, but it's a very sweet book.

This is such a cute story about following your true passion and not letting expectations slow you down! Lulu is a beaver who has aspirations to be an artist but feels like she needs to do beaver things instead. Insert Pickle who saves the day by showing her that anything is possible! Great illustrations, too!

This children’s book is about a beaver who wants to be an artist. The illustrations are beautiful and I love the message that you can do anything you want to do!

I felt it was a little long and disjointed at times, enough so where I had to go back a page and re-read to understand what was going on.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bunny Books Publisher for the digital copy in exchange for my honest review.