Lola Sleeps Over

Lola sleeps over tells of two cousins, Hani and Lola, who have a sleepover at Hani's house. While things are different from her own house, she is able to overcome the differences and really enjoy her time at her cousins. Lola does not normally like cucumber (a favorite of Hani's) but she tries it in Hani's favorite salad, and absolutely loves it. They play games like playing in Hani's rainforest and dressing up like each other, and with whatever they do they are happy and comfortable.

This book is especially great for those children who may be apprehensive about staying at another house, and out of their comfort zone. This book teaches kids that although they are not in their home, they can have fun and be comfortable and happy while they are there. This could be used pre-sleepovers (for kids who are uncomfortable being away from home) or even for older kids whose parents take a solo vacation and Aunt/Uncle or grandparents will be watching them. I also loved the diversity of the book (both with the ethnicity of the characters, and the (assumed) same sex couple that were Hani's parents.

Thank you to the author, illustrator, publisher and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Lola is busily packing for her very first sleepover at her cousin Hani’s house. Preparing for everything, Lola selects clothes for dancing, jumping, building, and more, filling her suitcase to the brim with supplies. She and her daddy walk the short distance to Hani’s house, where they are greeted by Lola’s aunties Zari and Jina. After an action-packed overnight, Lola’s daddy returns for her, and the cousins eagerly await their next sleepover together.

Iconic imagery by Rosalind Beardshaw immediately places fans of the Lola series in this newest installment. Soft lines, cheerful colors, and detailed illustrations adorn each page in this book. Like the others in this series, the endpapers themselves set the tone of the story by featuring Lola’s kitty cat pajamas against a rich, purple background. Some of the illustrations include a detailed backdrop while others focus more on the characters themselves, but in nearly every instance, more is happening in the image than is described by the text, encouraging discussion outside of the narrative.

Anna McQuinn’s familiar writing style is a comforting element of this story. Short sentences and descriptions guide readers through Lola and Hani’s adventures and are delightfully accessible to a range of readers. Impressively, Lola experiences no trepidation or homesickness during her first overnight away from her parents, and the text enhances all the fun and memorable moments of Lola’s first sleepover.

Dynamic and loving visuals provide readers of all ages with a compelling tableau as the story unfolds. The girls are depicted with smiles on their faces, and themes of love and sharing are palpable on each page, especially as the girls change outfits in nearly every scene. Fans of the Lola series will love this new addition as they prepare for their own sleepovers away from home. It is a cheerful addition to libraries for preschool and young elementary school-aged readers.

As someone who struggled to attend sleepovers as a child due to separation anxiety, I can't help but to think that this book would be great to read along with children going on their first sleepover. McQuinn does a great job of expressing all the wonderful parts of a sleepover without touching on the parts that might be scary for some little ones.

We follow Lola as she experiences her first-ever sleepover! We see Lola get her bag ready and have fun at Hani's house.

I loved Rosalind Beardshaw's illustrations. They were absolutely stunning and vibrant! Anna McQuinn's story was funny, fun, lighthearted, and accurate. I loved how they both put such care in sharing through words and illustrations two gentle, fun, and caring families. It always makes me happy when I see dads represented in children's books, especially when involved!

First of all – I was Lola, and I still am! I can't pack light to save my life. She is a girl after my own heart – it never hurts to be prepared, right?

I am well into my adult years but still love a sleepover; there is something very comforting about sleeping in your best friend's house. It never gets old, and it was such a privilege to relive some of my childhood memories by watching Lola's adventure. She really is relatable!

Disclaimer: I first read it as an ARC. In exchange for an honest review, I am thankful to Anna McQuinn, Charlesbridge and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of Lola Sleeps Over.

This was such a cute read! The pictures were fantastic. It’s a great story about first sleepovers and embracing the fun

Lola is excited to sleepover with her cousin Hani. She packs all her favourite clothes and toys. They share beautiful moments together - watching a movie, going through albums, playing outside. The illustrations beautifully capture their joy. You can feel Lola and Hani's excitements through the illustrations.

Thank you NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this lovely book.

Thanks to Charlesbridge Publishing + NetGalley for the e-advance copy of LOLA SLEEPS OVER by Anna McQuinn, illustrated by Rosalind Beardshaw. Expected pub date: September 21, 2021

Lola has a place in our family's heart (for good reason) and the newest addition to the Lola series, LOLA SLEEPS OVER, is just as amazing as the rest of the books in the Lola series.

From the gorgeous and inviting illustrations, to the gentle storytelling (and ode to books + reading), and the expanded family bonds, I hope Lola and her family have a permanent spot in our family's heart and belong in all libraries and homes.

Lola Sleeps Over by Anna McQuinn is a cute book about a girl Lola who is having her first sleepover! It shows the girls playing, building, trying new things, and eating breakfast and dinner together before Lola’s dad picks her up in the morning. This would be a good book to read to kids who are about to have their very first sleepover to help them prepare! The pictures are very cute and this story has really good representation!

We love the Lola series and I was excited to see another book. Lola books always center on normal activities and rights of passage like going to the library, getting a cat, etc. In this book Lola has a sleepover. This book had Lola pack for her cousins. I wish it had touched on nerves children experience when having a sleepover and being away from home, or taken a bit more time to explain that Lola was sleeping in her cousins bed but still had her favorite Dolls to hold. But I guess the parent can elaborate that apart more with their child.

Lola is sleeping over at her cousins house for the first time. There is so much to prepare. This is a great book for the first time your child sleeps over. What to expect, how to prepare, and the great fun you will have with your cousin and their family. How is it different than your family.

The illustrations are lovely.

A special thank you to Charlesbridge and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.

Lola has been to her cousin Hani’s house, but she’s never spent the night until now. She packs everything she’ll need. She’s wearing her favorite dress, but she’ll need leggings for jumping, and a dress for balleting, and overalls for playing, and PJs for bed. The girls play and watch a movie and look through photo albums of old. In the morning, they have French Toast before Lola’s dad picks her up. Nothing to be sad about, though, because very soon it’ll be Hani’s time to come sleep over at Lola’s house.

Let me begin by saying, I want the inside cover art as fabric. Adorable PJs on a purple background. I could sew something really cute with that. This book is so cute. I LOVE the artwork, and the cute story about a first sleepover is heartwarming. It’d be perfect to read to a kiddo before their first sleepover. It shows that there is much fun to be had and nothing to be afraid of. Though it’s totally normal to have first-time jitters, there’s so much playing and movie watching and snacking and sleeping that there’s no time to miss home. And it works both ways, so soon they can also have their friends over for a sleep over.

PS black and brown rep is always a fun addition to the rotation of kids stories, and seeing these little ones celebrate their family and heritage while having a blast warmed my heart. This one’s out in September so keep an eye out for it.

We are huge fans of Lola books so I was very excited to read this new book.

Our favorite part of any Lola books are the beautiful illustrations and the easy to follow story and (as a parent) the short story makes it a quick and easy read!

I loved the focus on sleepovers. It was very fitting due to my daughter having her first sleepover in a few months!

This was a great book and I cannot wait to add it to our collection.

I received an advance reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.

Lola sleeps over is a cute story about Lola who is going for her very first sleepover to her cousin Hani's house.
Lola has lots to take with her as the cousins have so much planned to play and do.
The illustrations are so cute in this book and the story is simple and sweet.
This would make a great book to reassure a child who is going for their very first sleepover somewhere with ideas of what to expect.

Lola is having her first sleep over! This is a great addition to the Lola books. It was cute, fun and inclusive! What a fantastic book!

I'm a huge fan of the Lola/Leo series and thrilled to see another entry! This is a very simple, straightforward recounting of Lola's first sleepover at a nearby cousin's house. The story makes it seem like lots of fun and would be very reassuring for kids about to have their first experience sleeping away from home. The illustrations are lively and detailed and will definitely engage readers.

Just an FYI - there are no "issues" during the sleepover. Lola does not become anxious or homesick. She adapts to different food, spaces, and routines without issues. This is not a complaint at all, just a heads up if someone needs a sleepover book that either does or doesn't include that element.

Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review!

This charming book is well written and the illustrations are beautiful. Little ones who have not yet experienced a sleepover will love Lola's adventure and will relate to it when it's their turn to stay somewhere all on their own over night.

Lola is very excited. She has been invited to stay with her cousin Hani for the night and she packs furiously for this first-time event. Her Daddy takes her by the hand and off they go around the corner to Hani's house. The two little girls are thrilled to be together and they play in Hani's imaginary rainforest, build bridges and a waterfall, and dress up, just to name a few , before it's time to settle down and go to bed.

In the morning Lola is served French toast and before she knows it her Daddy's at the door to pick her up. They soon will make arrangements for Hani to come and stay over night at Lola's house. This is the latest Lola Reads book and I love it! It's a happy little read which will prepare kids for an adventure of their own. I highly recommend this book.

Love these books! Love the end papers as well! Keep writing these beautiful, sweet, stories about this darling, curious Lola!

Lola is a series we love at school. This story was very simple and easy to read and stayed very positive. I would have liked to see a bit of worry or challenge just so that children who are nervous could see that they too could overcome and be successful.

Another knockout hit in the Lola series. This time, Lola is having a sleepover! Lola Sleeps Over strikes an excellent balance of including specific cultural markers (such as the way that the girls do their hair for bed), as well as showing cultural markers that are a part of most people's sleepover experiences.

Lola goes over to her cousin Hani's house for the first time and sleeps over. The two girls play, dress-up, build, and experience new things together. The illustrations were vividly colorful and goes well with the storyline. This book teaches children about the things and circumstances dealing with sleepovers and being out of their comfort zone. I recommend two boys and girls. I give this book five stars.

I love this sweet addition to the Lola line of stories, one of our favorites in my preschool. The story is about family, but also prepares young children for sleeping over with a grandparent, aunt, or cousin, which may be a new experience. The illustrations, as always, are wonderful, with excellent use of white space to draw attention to the characters and actions of the stories. Lola's cousin's personality comes alive as she dances and moves across the pages.

A cute book that my kindergartener loves. We read it together and she wanted to read it again. It helped her think about future sleepovers.

Little Lola is excited to have a sleepover in her cousin's Hani's place. She prepared everything for the special occasion, and looked forward to it. Although not far from her own place, this new adventure is going to be a special one. But Lola then faced with things she had not expected, and tried to enjoy every moments spent.

This book teaches parents that the first sleepover shouldn't be far from home, and to a place the kid is used to. They also might warn the kid that she/he might find something out of habit there, even though she/he often visit the place.

It is overall a good and simple book to encourage children's adventurous side by having a sleepover.

A cute little picture of what a first sleepover can be like. And Lola packs like I do for just a one night stay!

Lola has her first sleepover at her cousin Hani’s house, where
they cook, play, watch a movie, and later enjoy breakfast. Both
families appear to be Black, and Hani has two mothers. Many
preschoolers will relate to the events in the story, and the text is
fairly easy to read. The full-color illustrations appear to be done
in acrylics and add much to the story, showing Lola’s special
costumes, toys, and other elements. This is a nice addition to
the series.

My daughter is 7, and wanted me to read this to her because she has never had a sleep over. She said she wanted to see what a sleep over would be like. She had me read this to her twice, she loved the pictures and she even named one of her stuffed animals lola. I thought the author did a good job with the writing and I am in love with the colors and the illustrations.

Such a great and wonderful book! The kids absolutely loved this one and as did I! It was a great learning experience for what a sleepover would be like since they haven't had their first one with friends yet. It's such a cute story and perfect for if you want to read to little ones during a sleepover(is that possible?? Hopefully for this book!). Definitely recommend!

Lola often goes over to her cousin’s house to play, but she has never spent the night before. She packs everything she might need and walks over with her father. Throughout the evening, the girls have fun doing various activities, some of them including Lola’s two aunts. The next morning, after a fun breakfast, he dad comes and picks her up.

Anna McQuinn’s Lola Sleeps Over would be an appropriate book to read with a young child who finds themselves in a position where they need to sleep over at someone’s house. Knowing what types of things to expect can help calm a child’s anxiety. Even more than that, I love the casual representation in this book, with both Black and LGBTQ+ representation. Kids need more inclusion in everyday books.

I received an electronic ARC from Charlesbridge through NetGalley.
Charming story about a first sleepover. Lola gets to spend the night with her cousin. Readers will love seeing everything she packs so she is ready for all of their games. The colorful illustrations bring the fun to life and make readers feel like a third friend enjoying the time together.

Such a cute read! I love all of the Lola books and this one is no exception. It would be great to read for your little one before their first big sleepover! I really loved the illustrations too.

I have always loved this series.
Such a simple book to read to a child as Lola goes to her cousin’s for a sleep over. Showing how much fun it can be. You could talk about what your child would do on their adventure or use as a story time theme of just Lola.

Lola Sleeps Over
author: Anna McQuinn
illustrations by: Rosalind Beardshaw
Charlesbridge

Sweet memories of a child's first sleepover will last forever. I have no doubt that Lola will fondly cherish her special "spend the night adventure" with her cousin Hani. McQuinn's diverse picture book is warm and welcoming for young children who may or may not have yet experienced the magic of an overnight visit with a friend or family member.
From the time that Lola checks the calendar for the day of the sleepover with Hani, until her Daddy picks her up the next morning, Lola is so excited. She anxiously packs her suitcase, making sure to pack books.
Children will delight and learn from the engaging, hands-on activities that Lola's Auntie Zari and Auntie Jina planned for the girls. McQuinn included creativity, nature, and imagination in her story, components that enhance children's learning and expression of artistic and language skills. Bearshaw's illustrations beautifully enhance the book with her detailed, colorful pictures of joy, fun, play, and family bonds.
As a retired educator, I highly recommend Lola Sleeps Over for young children from toddlers to preschool and early elementary grades. This book is part of the "Lola Reads" series.
Thank you to Net Galley and Charlesbridge for the advanced reader's copy and opportunity to provide my unbiased review.
 #LolaSleepsOver #NetGalley

A great story for any ids who is getting the courage for their first sleepover. As with all the Lola books, it has great illustrations, and a diverse family.

I love the Lola books & this one does not disappoint. Lola is great representation & stories like this about first experiences for children can be quite useful to add to your collection. I recommend purchasing this book.

Who didn't love sleepovers as a kid? Lola is going to stay with her cousin, Hani. She has visited her aunts and Hani many times, but this is the first time she will be spending the night. She packs her suitcase full of various supplies and clothing for jumping, building, dancing, and more. She and Daddy stroll over to Hani's house, where they enjoy playing dress-up together, playing outside, eating dinner, and watching movies before saying goodnight. They share a breakfast of French Toast in the morning, and then Daddy has arrived to bring Lola home.

Maybe your child feels apprehensive before their first sleepover, or perhaps they are gung ho! This book is a fun introduction to how much fun a sleepover can be.

The Lola series has fun, vibrant illustrations and touches upon topics gently, allowing younger kids to better understand new experiences before facing them personally.