Charlie and Lola: I Will Not Ever Never Eat A Tomato
Charlie & Lola Series
on Goodreads (8,181)
What’s inside...
This delightful children's book follows the story of a picky eater named Lola, who has a very long list of foods she won't eat, including - and especially - tomatoes. Her clever older brother Charlie has a trick up his sleeve and creatively renames the foods to make them sound more appealing to Lola. The story is a humorous and heartwarming tale of siblings navigating the tricky world of mealtime.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
2-6
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
How do you think Lola felt when she discovered she actually liked the 'moon squirters'?
Why do you think Charlie came up with creative names for the vegetables?
Can you think of a time when you tried something new and ended up liking it?
What is your favorite part of the story, and why?
If you could invent fun names for your least favorite foods, what would they be?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use expressive reading: Change your tone when reading Lola’s and Charlie’s parts to keep your child engaged and enhance their understanding of the characters’ feelings.
Relate to personal experiences: Discuss times when your child was reluctant to try new foods and how they felt after trying them.
Encourage creativity: Invite your child to come up with imaginative names for different foods as a fun post-reading activity.
Focus on emotions: Discuss the emotions Lola displays throughout the book and ask your child to share if they have felt similar ways.
Reinforce the lesson: Highlight the importance of trying new things, even if we think we might not like them.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Creativity in problem-solving
Explanation: Lola is very picky about her food. To help her eat, her brother Charlie invents imaginative stories about the food on her plate, turning them into whimsical items that pique Lola’s interest.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to approach challenges creatively, finding fun and unique solutions to overcome their own obstacles, such as trying new foods or tackling difficult tasks.
Example Lesson: The importance of trying new things
Explanation: Through the story, Lola, who initially refuses to eat certain foods, discovers that she actually enjoys them after her brother presents them in an inventive way.
Real-World Application: This can encourage children to be open to new experiences, whether it's new food, activities, or making new friends, enhancing their adaptability and growth.
Example Lesson: Family support and teamwork
Explanation: Charlie helps Lola by patiently addressing her dislikes rather than forcing or scolding her. This teamwork between siblings shows a supportive family dynamic.
Real-World Application: Children can learn the value of supporting each other within the family or in team settings, helping them build strong relationships and cooperative skills.
Example Lesson: Imagination enriches experience
Explanation: Charlie’s use of imaginative stories to make food appealing shows how imagination can transform mundane experiences into exciting adventures.
Real-World Application: This lesson helps children see how their imagination can not only make daily routines enjoyable but also enhances their creative thinking and problem-solving skills.