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readingthroughtheages's review
5.0
I think this one is my favorite Lulu.
What I love about this series (besides the fun character, Lulu), is how Viorst talks to the reader and does so with a tongue-in-cheek manner.
I think this book would make an excellent read-aloud for the younger grades. It's a great transitional chapter book that will entertain readers and expose them to keeping track of longer books and story lines.
I miss Lane Smith's illustrations, but Kevin Cornell has stepped in with an easy transition.
What I love about this series (besides the fun character, Lulu), is how Viorst talks to the reader and does so with a tongue-in-cheek manner.
I think this book would make an excellent read-aloud for the younger grades. It's a great transitional chapter book that will entertain readers and expose them to keeping track of longer books and story lines.
I miss Lane Smith's illustrations, but Kevin Cornell has stepped in with an easy transition.
speterson47's review
3.0
The thought of being Lulu's babysitter is not an exciting one, but Lulu's parents have found the perfect lady for the job. Will Lulu be able to get rid of her so her parents return early from their trip? Or will the babysitter foil all of Lulu's plans and teach her a thing or two about being the best babysitter ever?
riverdogbookco's review
4.0
The duo reprised their success with Lulu Walks the Dogs in 2012, but a change occurred with the third book in the series, Lulu’s Mysterious Mission. Though Lane Smith did the cover illustration, Kevin Cornell produced the internal illustrations, bringing a wilder, harsher interpretation of Lulu, rather than Smith’s more contained, over-sized, cartoon renderings. Similar chapter page styling (colored polka-dotted pages between each chapter) and text (stylized cursive matching the color of the polka-dotted page for the first word in each new chapter), helps to maintain the integrity of the series and minimize the disruption the new illustration style brings to the reading of something that should be more familiar.
The story itself follows the classic Lulu style – somewhat bratty, spoiled child slightly tricked into learning a lesson – complete with little sing-song ditty that makes these books a treat to read aloud. In this book, Lulu’s parents are going on an adult-only vacation for the first time EVER, leaving Lulu with a babysitter. Lulu, as you might imagine, is not happy with this plan. Not only does she not need a babysitter (no longer being a baby), she is also not pleased at being left behind. She comes up with a number of plans to ensure first that her parents don’t leave, and then when they do, that the babysitter will call them right back again ASAP. Despite her best efforts, every single one of her plans is foiled by Ms. Sonia Sofia Solinsky, the country’s (and possibly the world’s) best babysitter. Lulu can’t figure out how Ms. Sonia Sofia Solinsky can figure everything out so quickly, until Lulu finds out that Triple S used to be a spy! And if Lulu promises to behave, Triple S will teach Double L all her spy tricks. Soon the week flies by with lessons like R&R (Repair & Recovery) and H&C (Hack & Code), and by the time her parents get home, Lulu is more than happy to have her parents take lots of vacations so Ms. Sonia Sofia Solinsky, the best babysitter in the country (maybe world) can come back to teach her more. If you’re wondering where the “mysterious mission” part of the plot comes in, well, you’ll have to read the book to find out. Fans of the picture book Miss Nelson is Missing by Henry Allard, illustrated by James Marshall will enjoy graduating to this story. In my opinion, the writing definitely fit into the Lulu series and was worth reading, though the illustrations didn’t speak to me in the same way Lane Smith’s did.
The story itself follows the classic Lulu style – somewhat bratty, spoiled child slightly tricked into learning a lesson – complete with little sing-song ditty that makes these books a treat to read aloud. In this book, Lulu’s parents are going on an adult-only vacation for the first time EVER, leaving Lulu with a babysitter. Lulu, as you might imagine, is not happy with this plan. Not only does she not need a babysitter (no longer being a baby), she is also not pleased at being left behind. She comes up with a number of plans to ensure first that her parents don’t leave, and then when they do, that the babysitter will call them right back again ASAP. Despite her best efforts, every single one of her plans is foiled by Ms. Sonia Sofia Solinsky, the country’s (and possibly the world’s) best babysitter. Lulu can’t figure out how Ms. Sonia Sofia Solinsky can figure everything out so quickly, until Lulu finds out that Triple S used to be a spy! And if Lulu promises to behave, Triple S will teach Double L all her spy tricks. Soon the week flies by with lessons like R&R (Repair & Recovery) and H&C (Hack & Code), and by the time her parents get home, Lulu is more than happy to have her parents take lots of vacations so Ms. Sonia Sofia Solinsky, the best babysitter in the country (maybe world) can come back to teach her more. If you’re wondering where the “mysterious mission” part of the plot comes in, well, you’ll have to read the book to find out. Fans of the picture book Miss Nelson is Missing by Henry Allard, illustrated by James Marshall will enjoy graduating to this story. In my opinion, the writing definitely fit into the Lulu series and was worth reading, though the illustrations didn’t speak to me in the same way Lane Smith’s did.
yapha's review
4.0
In this third book about the extraordinarily difficult Lulu, her parents are taken a grown up only vacation and leaving Lulu in the care of Sonia Sofia Solinsky, the best babysitter in maybe the world. Lulu, as you might expect, is not going quietly along with this plan. After doing everything in her power to get rid of Ms. Solinsky, Lulu finds out something remarkable. Her babysitter is actually a former spy trainer (codename Triple S)! Well now, that changes everything. Suddenly Lulu finds that she wants to be a spy more than anything. But can she live up to Triple S's remarkably high standards? A fun read, recommended for grades 2-4.
readerturnedwriter's review
4.0
I really love Lulu's character. This was my girls' favorite of the series so far.
allysw's review
Obviously, it was different with a different illustrator. But the new style, though not the same, still suits Lulu just fine!
sarahrusty's review
3.0
Quirky, funny, and an all around great read! Illustrations totally made the characters feel authentic!
kslhersam's review
2.0
These Lulu books are getting longer and longer. And the words and topics seemed to go over my 4 year old's head this time. Jane was still interested to finish this, but it took us a while and I didn't like it as much as the first book with Mr. B. I can't recommend this one as an early chapter book.
frankisib's review
5.0
Very fun--my favorite lulu book yet. It took me a little while to transition to the new illustrator but I loved the book and now love the new illustrator too.