Loula is Leaving for Africa. Anne Villeneuve. Toronto, ON: Kids Can Press, 2013. 32 pp., hardcover, $18.95. ISBN 978-1-55453-941-3. Kindergarten-grade 3 / Ages 5-8. Review by Valerie Nielsen. **** /4

excerpt:

Loula is sick and tired of having brothers.

Three MEAN, HORRIBLE, STINKY brothers.

"I've had ENOUGH!" she cries. "I'm leaving."

Off Loula goes, being careful to pack the essentials (her cat, tea set and best drawing) in order to get as far away as she can from the TERRIBLE triplets. Her opera star mother hopes she won't catch cold, and her mustache-maker father warns her not to come home too late.

     "Fine! Loula exclaims. "Nobody cares about me. I am never coming back." Fortunately, Gilbert the family chauffeur, is around to point her in the right direction and to advise Mademoiselle Loula that she needs to take a ship to get to Africa. Together, Gilbert and Loula have a fine time getting to and exploring the mysterious continent in their matching imaginations. On "arriving" in Africa, the little grey cloud which has been hovering over Loula's head from the beginning of the story (and becoming gradually smaller) dissipates. When Mademoiselle Loula eventually runs out of energy, her chauffeur volunteers to take her home from Africa. “‘It is not so far away,’ whispers Gilbert.”

      Anne Villeneuve is a gifted artist whose humorous ink and watercolour illustrations are both simple and sophisticated. They are, as such, a perfect match for both story and theme in Loula is Leaving for Africa. The award-winning artist, whose honours have included the Governor General's Literary Award for Illustration, has, in her own words "...spent a lifetime journey of drawing and illustrating stories." Her work may be recognized and enjoyed in various non-literary forms, such as pastry packaging, magazines and advertising.

      Librarians should not miss this wise and witty picture book of friendship and imagination. A reading aloud will surely elicit discussion, beginning with the question "Has anyone here every thought of running away from home?" And to who knows where from there with primary grade listeners!

Highly Recommended.

A retired teacher-librarian, Valerie Nielsen lives in Winnipeg, MB.

To comment on this title or this review, send mail to cm@umanitoba.ca.

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Published by The Manitoba Library Association ISSN 1201-9364

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