Lulu and the Others

Living with a loving human family, a bonobo named Lulu exists between two worlds in this lively picture book: she swings in trees and eats insects but also wears a yellow tee and uses the family toilet. After Lulu’s human sister goes to school, though, the lonely days pile up, and the family realizes that a change is necessary. The crew travels together to a jungle island that’s full of creatures like Lulu, but Lulu’s response is anything but accepting: “She was supposed to play with these... hairy... smelly... APES?!” writes Schrefer (the Ape Quartet), making his picture book debut. The other bonobos prove curious and eagerly welcoming of Lulu, though, and her perspective shifts as she teaches them sign language and even becomes their leader. And when another bonobo raised by humans arrives on the island, Lulu draws on her own experience and leads the welcoming party. Colored pencil and ink illustrations by Ford (I Love Your Face!) give a light anthropomorphized touch to images of Lulu moving from one home to another; the drawings portray wild, gregarious bonobo energy and tender, human-like gestures. Through Lulu’s journey, readers see how easy it is to both draw and blur lines of connection. Human characters are portrayed with various skin tones. An author’s note discusses the real-life bonobo that inspired the story. Ages 4–8. (Feb.)