Reviewer: Kid Picks with Philip Potempa
Reviewer Website:
www.nwitimes.com/entertainment/books-and-literature
Readers: Philip Potempa
Rating: NA

Review:
Nico is a little boy who learns the importance of being kind to pets, while taking care of the family dog Lola. There are tender messages and beautiful photography in this 36-page hardcover book by Meggan Hill with photography by Susan M. Graunke.  The importance of caring for pets, from walking and exercise to food and water, is explained using simple text and large vivid images.  The author and photographer explain the importance of the book by using their own lives as examples with the shared life lesson: "Caring for creatures while growing up helped shape who we became later in life."

Reviewer: The American Dog Magazine
Reviewer Website:
www.theamericandogmag.com
Readers: Nancy Allen
Rating: NA

Review:
This is a wonderful book that teaches children the important lesson of being kind to animals. It is a heartwarming story about a young boy who spends a weekend watching over a relative’s dog, and it delivers positive messages of kindness. The photographs are captivating.

Reviewer: The Moms Review
Reviewer Website:
themomsreview.com
Readers: Shana
Rating: NA

Review:
Nico & Lola Kindness Shared Between a Boy and a Dog by Meggan Hill and photography by Susan M. Graunke is a wonderful children’s book.  It is a story about a little boy named Nico and his Aunt’s little pug, Lola.  Aunt Sue has asked if Nico could watch Lola for a few days and be so kind to her.  Nico learns a lot about kindness, both giving and receiving, during Lola’s stay.

When we asked author Meggan Hill to us what inspired this book she told us… “I’m a mom.  I love to read to my kids.  It’s especially exciting to see my kids’ faces light up when I read something they love.  I wanted to do that, write to that excitement level while at the same time writing about a character trait.  The trait I chose was kindness.”

Meggan also shared with us a bit about herself and photographer Susan M. Graunke … They both “grew up surrounded by animals.  Meggan remembers daily rides on her pony Popsicle, with her dear dog Woofer following.  Susan will never forget sharing picnic lunches with her horse Lady Noney and Bumper, her pet cow.  Caring for creatures shaped who Meggan and Susan became.  This is their first book. “

I immediately feel in love with the beautiful photography.   The pictures are bright and fit perfectly with the story.  I loved that the story allowed for me to explain how to be kind in more detail after each page.  Example; “Nico would think of ways to be so kind. “   I then asked the boys how are some ways to be kind to a puppy?   I love the message within the story, of kindness and the very last line in the book is “PASS IT ON!”  What a great message to teach our children!!!

So those are the things that I enjoyed about the book, now here is what Brayden (my 6 year old) had to say about Nico & Lola:

My favorite part of the book was when Nico got the stone out of Lola’s paw.  Because that was being really nice and Nico was being helpful and kind.  I liked the nice pictures too.

To find out more about this great book, including how to buy a copy for you and your children, check out the website, http://www.nicoandlola.com/

Reviewer: Spirituality & Practice / The Lutheran
Reviewer Website:
www.spiritualityandpractice.com/book
Readers: Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
Rating: NA

Review:
Meggan Hill and Susan M. Graunke are the authors of this thoroughly delightful children’s book for ages two – eleven.  They grew up surrounded by animals and know how caring for a pet can teach children values they will use for a lifetime. 

Young Nico is asked by his Aunt Sue if he would be so kind as to take care of her dog Lola over the weekend.  He starts thinking about what being so kind would mean.  Through their time together, the boy and the dog become teachers of the spiritual practice of kindness. 

The authors have organized the book around color photographs of Nico and Lola doing things together, which all illustrate a different aspect of kindness, such as showing concern for others, setting a good example, remembering your manners, being a good listener, helping others in need, taking turns, and treating others the way you want to be treated. 

This is a fine teaching tool for young children, and adults will find it has some gentle reminders for them as well.  It’s also a good example of spiritual literacy, where ordinary activities yield spiritual lessons. 

Reviewer: Reading for Kids
Reviewer Website: NA
Reader: Mary Barrett
Rating: NA

Review:
Nico gets a phone call from his Aunt Sue.  She tells Nico that she must go away for the weekend and needs someone to take care of her dog, Lola.  Nico tells her that he can do it.  Nico wonders how he can be kind to Lola.  Aunt Sue and the dog Lola arrive the next morning.  Nico wanted to give the small pug a chance to know him.  Lola sniffed Nico’s hand with her wet nose.  What other ways can Nico be kind to Lola?  The illustrator,
Susan M. Graunke, did the beautiful pictures in this book.  By reading this book, children will learn how to be kind to animals.  This book won the Midwest Connections Pick. 

Meggan Hill grew up surrounded by animals.  Meggan remembers daily rides on her pony Popsicle, with her dear dog Woofer following.  Susan will never forget sharing picnic lunches with her horse Lady Noney and Bumper, her pet cow.  This book is their first one. 

Reviewer: Entrepreneur
Reviewer Website:
http://www.entrepreneur.com
Reader: NA
Rating: NA

Review:
Nico & Lola: Kindness Shared Between a Boy and a Dog a children's picturebook about a young boy who learns to better embody the virtue of kindness while temporarily taking care of his aunt's black, pug-nosed dog Lola. Young Nico has fun playing with Lola, and learns to look after her, but most important of all, he thinks of ways he can show kindness to the friendly animal. "Lola sat very still while Nico removed a small pebble stuck between her toes. He asked, 'Want me to kiss it and make it all better?' Lola snorted and danced in circles on her mended paw. Nico giggled." Gorgeous, full-color photography of the titular duo fill this charming storybook with a positive message.

Reviewer: Hooray for Books!
Reviewer Website:
http://hooray4books.wordpress.com
Reader: Trish
Rating: NA

Review:
Nico & Lola, by Meggan Hill; photography by Susan M. Graunke (ages 3-8)

I’m not inclined to like books that have an “in your face” moral lesson, but Nico & Lola teaches so gently and sweetly that I was completely drawn into the book.  Little Nico’s Aunt Sue asks him if he would be so kind as to take care of her pug, Lola, for a weekend.  Nico is thrilled, and proceeds to think of ways in which he can be so kind to Lola during her visit.

Each two-page spread has a description of Nico’s activities with Lola, photographs of Nico and Lola, and a summary of the kindness shown.  When Lola arrives at Nico’s house, they go straight to the backyard to play tag.  When Lola begins huffing and puffing after a few games, Nico offers her a bowl of water.  “Being kind is showing concern for others.”

The photographs are wonderful, and the text is sweet without being saccharine.  Children and adults alike will be drawn to this little boy and his little pug friend.

Nico & Lola, by Meggan Hill; Genuine Prints LLC, 2009, $16.95 

Reviewer: Fetch Magazine
Reviewer Website:
fetchmag.wordpress.com
Reader: NA
Rating: NA

Review:
A child and a dog are as complimentary as peanut butter and jelly. Find a dog romping in the back yard and you’ll likely find a child, a mud-caked child, in hot pursuit. But what do we, as parents, worry most about our child playing with a dog? Visions of pulling fur, bear hugs, and poking fingers are enough to make us keep these two and four-legged animals apart. But what we learn from Nico and his time spent with Lola is that a young boy can look beyond his own needs to those of his best friend, a much shorter, furry friend.

Nico & Lola begins with a phone call, the moment of sheer joy for a boy who learns his Aunt’s dog Lola needs a sitter. As the hours tick by, Nico can’t help to wonder how he will be so kind to Lola. The next morning they quickly breeze past introductions into a game of tag. With each new game they play, Nico discovers new ways of being so kind. This is more than just a boy and his dog. This is a friendship built on mutual respect of each other.

The first time I read this book to my five year old daughter; she kept it in bed and looked at the photos for 20 minutes. The next night, it was her first choice and again, she looked at the photos for another 20 minutes. This pattern repeated itself for a number of nights until Nico and Lola graduated to a spot alongside her favorites such as Cinderella and Snow White.

When you’re looking for another subtle way of teaching kids important lessons in life, without boring them beyond belief, Nico and Lola is a good choice. Pick up a copy at www.nicoandlola.com, amazon.com, or by calling 888-853-0001.

Reviewer: The Old Schoolhouse
Reviewer Website:
www.thehomeschoolmagazine.com
Reader: Kendra Fletcher
Rating: NA

Review:
I've always had a soft spot in my heart for well-written, beautifully illustrated children's books. My children seem to instinctively know which books fall into that category as well, and we have spent many delightful hours reading such books together that will remain in our memories for a very long time.

Nico and Lola is one of those books that I can without hesitation call well-written and beautifully illustrated. Rich with color photographs, the story is carried along by the darling boy Nico and his auntie's visiting dog, Lola.

Nico is excited to hear that he has been asked to care for Lola while his aunt goes away for a weekend. The tone of the book is set when Nico's Aunt Sue asks, "Would you be so kind as to take care of my little girl?" Nico wonders how he can indeed be a kind caretaker of Lola, but once Lola arrives he finds her irresistible and dives right into his duties with enthusiasm.

Throughout the weekend, Nico learns what it means to be so kind. He walks Lola when she needs to get out and run around, brings her water when she's thirsty, surprises her with snacks, and introduces her to his friends. Such acts of kindness are highlighted on each page spread, emphasizing the traits of kindness such as being a good listener, sticking together until the job is done, and helping others in need.

At the end of the book, Nico finds it very difficult to let Lola go, for his kindness has forged a friendship between them that has become a joy to little Nico. Aunt Sue promises to take care of Lola, and Nico earns the opportunity to take care of other dogs in the days ahead.

Nico and Lola is a sweet book for young children, particularly those who love dogs or animals in general. Its quality binding, lovely story, and beautiful photographs make it a book worth sharing.

Reviewer: Wise Grandma
Reviewer Website:
http://www.wisegrandma.com/2009/03/how-will-i-be-so-kind.html
Reader: Eularee Smith
Rating: NA

Review:
I review books as part of my job. When Nico and Lola came across my desk, I was impressed with how the author, Meggan Hill and photographer, Susan Graunke, had captured the essence of kindness in the face of a three year old little boy named Nico and an adorable pug, named Lola.

The photographs tell the story, but the concept behind this wonderful book is the message to be kind. Meggan Hill explains that this broad concept of teaching a child what it means to be kind is what prompted her to write the book. Susan's photographs capture the actions of these two rascals as they learn what it means to be kind, to share and help others.

This delightful book not only takes a unique approach to teaching children the concept of kindness but draws an immediate connection through the use of photographs of real people and animals. Listening to their conversation about the book, you realize the fun they had in writing this story and the passion they share for bringing strong lessons into clear view for parents, grandparents and teachers.

Nico and Lola is a must have book for children. It is a story that my granddaughter loves hearing over and over again. She thinks Lola is "so cute" and loves seeing Nico hold Lola's paw. I guarantee this is one of the best children's books around and certainly one that needs to make its way into your child's Easter Basket or birthday party.

How Will I Be So Kind? Look for Nico and Lola by Meggan Hill Photography by Susan Graunke and published by Genuine Prints. It is available online at www.nicoandlola.com for $16.95 or at Amazon.com. Spread the word - kindness counts! That's What a Wise Grandma Would Do!

Enjoy the interview with Meggan and Susan on WG Radio!

Reviewer: Heartland Reviews
Reviewer Website:
www.heartlandreviews.com/Children.html
Reader: Bob Spear
Rating: 5 Hearts

Review:
This photographic picture book is about a little boy, Nico, taking care of an even smaller dog, Lola, for the weekend while his aunt is out of town. This is a precious book. Nico is so mild mannered and cute and Lola, a small Pug, is adorable. The photos are clean and well lit with vibrant colors. The text emphasizes the importance of being kind and the many ways that one can choose to be kind. The book reinforces responsibility and thoughtfulness without being preachy. It is perfect for the target ages and will help teach good tot/pet relationships. We rated it five hearts.

Reviewer: Reader Views
Reviewer Website:
www.readerviewskids.com
Reader: Sophia (age 6) and Madeline (age 7½) McElroy for Reader Views
Rating: NA

Review:
Sophia: This is a happy and funny story about a boy and a dog named Lola. My favorite part of the story was when Nico gave Lola a treat and he hid it behind his back – I thought this was really funny. My favorite photo is Nico with all of his dog friends at the end of the book. I like this book because I like dogs! Lola is so cute! This was a fun and easy book to read for me.

Madeline: This is a beautiful story about a boy named Nico and a dog named Lola. I like this book because it says stuff about being kind. I also like books about dogs. Nico did a kind thing by agreeing to watch his Aunt Sue’s dog while she was away. Nico liked being with Lola. They became good friends. He played with her and he even shared his favorite blanket with her for a nap.

My favorite part of the story is when Nico hugged Lola good-bye. He was going to miss her after his Aunt Sue picked-up Lola after her vacation. I really liked all of the pictures a lot. The best picture is of Nico and Lola walking with neighbor friends in the park. I enjoyed reading this book because it was full of nice things and friends. "Nico & Lola" by Meggan Hill and Susan M. Graunke is a good book about how to treat animals in your care. I learned how to show caring and kindness to animals. You should always give your dog water on a warm day after running a lot.

Reviewer: The Midwest Book Review
Reviewer Website:
www.midwestbookreview.com
Reader: NA
Rating: NA

Review:
Nico & Lola: Kindness Shared Between a Boy and a Dog a children's picturebook about a young boy who learns to better embody the virtue of kindness while temporariliy taking care of his aunt's black, pug-nosed dog Lola. Young Nico has fun playing with Lola, and learns to look after her, but most important of all, he thinks of ways he can show kindness to the friendly animal. "Lola sat very still while Nico removed a small pebble stuck between her toes. He asked, 'Want me to kiss it and make it all better?' Lola snorted and danced in circles on her mended paw. Nico giggled." Gorgeous, full-color photography of the titular duo fill this charming storybook with a positive message.

Reviewer: The Children's Book Review
Reviewer Website:
www.thechildrensbookreview.com
Reader: Luisa LaFleur
Rating: NA

Review:
Nico and Lola is a heartwarming tale about a boy and a dog—a simple premise that has been the basis for stories since time immemorial. Dogs, descendants of wolves, were domesticated some 15,000 years ago in Central Asia. According to anthropological studies, it is believed that the emigration of our forebears from Asia to North America across the Bering Strait might not have been possible without the use of sled dogs—so they've been an integral part of human life for ages, as pets, workers and aides. It comes as no surprise, then, that so many touching stories have dogs as main characters. Nico and Lola is one such tale.

The story centers around the relationship between Nico, a young boy, and Lola, a pug, and the bonds they build over the course of a weekend. The story contains lessons of kindness and compassion and is filled with photographs that perfectly complement the author's sincere tale. It's sure to please parents and children alike—the lessons are ones that are important for kids to learn and the story reinforces them nicely.

Reviewer: If Moms Ruled the World Blog
Reviewer Website:
ifmomsruledtheworld.blogspot.com
Reader: Lori Barrett
Rating: NA

Review:
This is a beautifully written and photographed story about a boy (Nico) who happily learns he will be able to “dog-sit” for his Aunt’s pug named Lola.. The story shows the mutual respect the boy and Lola develop for each other and how Nico learns so many ways to show kindness. At Thinkertots, I do “storytimes” for kids under age five every week. There are many reasons why this book works. It is about a dog and kids LOVE books about animals, especially dogs. The pictures are gorgeous (bright, close-up photographs of the dog and boy doing various things.) Anyone who works with kids knows that pictures make or break a book. The story is simple and not loaded down with extra verbiage (another killer when reading to the very young!) Most importantly, the story has a great message about kindness and respect. I have always found that there is not enough emphasis placed on character education for children. “Nico and Lola” teaches kindness in such a lovely and unobtrusive way. Most importantly, the beautiful pictures, simple story and characters that small children can relate to, ensure that kids will be VERY INTERESTED IN READING IT!

More Reviews:

• Barrington boy, dog teaches kindness in book (Barrington Courier-Review, April 2, 2009)
  
  
• For many reasons, 'Nico and Lola' is outstanding PDF (Lakeland Times, March 13, 2009)
  
  
• Barrington Hills book delights (Quintessential Barrington Magazine, January/February, 2009)