Fly High, Lolo - (Lolo Early Reader) by Niki Daly

About the Book

Fly high, Lolo! In this fourth installation of Niki Daly's 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 Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection

A 2023 Skipping Stones Honoree

A School Library Journal Best Book of 2022

Part of Niki Daly's Lolo series

More fun is on the way for Lolo in Fly High, Lolo, the fourth book in Niki Daly's Lolo series for beginning readers. Lolo is kind-hearted, creative, full of joy, and- whether it's 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 Mama's new friend, and makes beautiful recycled Christmas decorations.

Review Quotes

"Daly's 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

"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

"[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 [Daly's] 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

"Daly's 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 àagrave; 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

"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

"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" - Children's Books Ireland

"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... ...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

About the Author

Niki Daly has won many awards for his work. His groundbreaking Not So Fast Songololo, winner of a US Parent's Choice Award, paved the way for post-apartheid South African children's books. Among his many books, Once Upon a Time was an Honor Winner in the US Children's Africana Book Awards and Jamela's Dress was chosen by the ALA as a Notable Children's Book and by Booklist as one of the Top 10 African American Picture Books of 2000. It also won both the Children's Literature Choice Award and the Parents' Choice Silver Award. Niki lives with his wife, the author and illustrator Jude Daly, in South Africa.