About the Book Fly high, Lolo! In this fourth installation of Niki Dalys Lolo early reader series, Lolo joins the school play, meets a beauty queen, goes on a beach clean-up, and gets resourceful at Christmastime. Book Synopsis A 2023 Skipping Stones Honoree A School Library Journal Best Book of 2022 A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection Part of Niki Dalys Lolo series More fun is on the way for Lolo in Fly High, Lolo , the fourth book in Niki Dalys Lolo series for beginning readers. Lolo is kind-hearted, creative, full of joy, and-- whether its making homemade Christmas decorations from recycled plastics, or stepping in when the school play goes awry--she always knows just what to do to save the day! In this collection of easy-to-read stories, we meet Lolo, a girl who lives in South Africa with her mother and grandmother, Gogo. Charmingly illustrated by the author, Fly High, Lolo follows Lolo as she explores her world, and the new adventures each day brings. In Fly High, Lolo , Lolo gets an unexpected role in the school play, meets Miss Teen the Beauty Queen, goes on a beach clean-up with Mamas new friend, and makes beautiful recycled Christmas decorations. Review Quotes These stories promote kindness that can be shared throughout an entire community. [...] Black and white sketches of the storylines help the emerging reader reflect on main ideas presented in this sweet chapter book for young readers. -- Melissa Harris, for 2023 Stepping Stones Awards Dalys charming black and white artwork is present on every page, breaking up the text and adding appeal. The language is perfect for early elementary school readers, and although the book is set in South Africa, the stories are perfectly relatable for kids in the U.S. -- Stephanie Tournas, Robbins Library, Arlington, MA, Youth Services Book Review [T]he entire book seems suffused in sunshine. [...] I would recommend the Lolo books to primary schools and young readers -- they will definitely make you smile. -- The School Librarian Another charming book in [Dalys] series, dealing with daily adventures, unusual opportunities and ways of learning useful new life skills. -- The Independent (South Africa) Bright and cheerful Lolo is the star of the show in this new chapter-book series from South Africa. [...] Young readers will find much to enjoy in this tale of a winning little girl and her family--hooray indeed! -- Kirkus Reviews Each Lolo book consists of four short stories, suitable for early readers moving onto chapter books. ..sweet, simple stories.. Punctuated by beautiful black and white drawings by the author -- Childrens Books Ireland If asked Which books would be most suitable at early transition stage (approx. 6 to 7 years old)? I would answer, That stage is when newly competent, but inexperienced, young readers need books they can read with ease. Books that are not threateningly long, that have a well-designed font for young readers, a generous mix of words and pictures on each page and, most importantly, are rewarding to read. [Dalys] books about Lolo fit this description perfectly. In addition, each story offers just the right amount of printed text for a newly self-reliant reader to tackle alone. Lolos stories will be a delightful asset to any primary school bookshelf. -- The School Librarian Lolo is a fun-loving, likeable character, whose experiences and dilemmas are typical of children her age. She considers the impact her actions have on others, making this a great book to promote discussion about emotions, empathy, kindness and friendship. Ideal for newly independent readers to increase their confidence, each page is illustrated with characterful black-and-white illustrations that bring the stories to life. -- Book Trust (UK) Lolo is thoughtful and caring and she is very good at considering the feelings of others. Each book would be wonderful picks for a learning setting, encouraging conversations about emotions and friendships. The books would be great for young readers 5 and upwards, who are becoming more independent at reading and would like to make the transition from picture books to chapter books. Great reads. -- Mamma Filz Book Blog The outstanding feature of this series of books is that very few books for children of this age (say 5 to 8 years) combine a highly readable tone and a feisty young character of colour. -- International Board on Books for Young People, UK These books are part of a mini series for new solo readers starring young Lolo, a sparky young character who lives with her Mama and Gogo (gran) in South Africa. Both titles have four stories each being just the right length to consume in a single sitting. In the first book Lolo wins a longed-for gold star for reading, loses it, then gives it away; acquires a much-wanted, rather large hat; finds a lost engagement ring in the street; and reports a lost dog and in so-doing assists in the arrest of a thief. Along the way, helped by Nikis delightful line drawings, we discover much about Lolos family life, her school life, her friendships and interests. In Hooray for Lolo, the friendship with best pal Lulu is threatened when Lolo thinks she hasnt been invited to her birthday party; she becomes a member of the library and chooses her first picture book which subsequently goes missing; wakes up one day with tummy ache and ends up having an operation, and finally, discovers that baby-sitting Bongi is exhausting work.Sparkly stories all, with lots of gentle humour that will win Lolo lots of friends among young readers who are sure to enjoy making the acquaintance of this enormously engaging girl. -- Red Reading Hub With a simply written, graceful text and gray-scale pictures on nearly every page, these appealing stories are just right for children moving from beginning readers to chapter books. -- Booklist Each chapter is a lesson about life which requires the young reader to read and reflect. It is multigenerational as well as multicultural. The book illustrates compassion and connections not only with people but with nature. [...] As an English as a second language teacher, I highly recommend this book on various levels of language, culture, and social interaction. [...] Daly helps students make the transition from reading pictures to reading words and visualizing the story in their own mind. -- Africa Access Review Dalys lessons are relatable and resonant, sowing seeds of compassion and connection between the reader and Lolo. [...] The expressive black-and-white digital illustrations, which resemble classic line art la Amelia Bedelia, lovingly depict Lolo and her community. An endearing protagonist and clear thematic messages make this first in a series a winsome pick for early readers. -- Publishers Weekly About the Author Niki Daly has won many awards for his work. His groundbreaking Not So Fast Songololo, winner of a US Parents Choice Award, paved the way for post-apartheid South African childrens books. Among his many books, Once Upon a Time was an Honor Winner in the US Childrens Africana Book Awards and Jamelas Dress was chosen by the ALA as a Notable Childrens Book and by Booklist as one of the Top 10 African American Picture Books of 2000. It also won both the Childrens Literature Choice Award and the Parents Choice Silver Award. Niki lives with his wife, the author and illustrator Jude Daly, in South Africa.