Lulu is a Rhinoceros
Written by Jason Flom with Allison Flom & illustrated by Sophie Corrigan
Reviewed by Sandy Driessens
Lulu is a rhinoceros – that’s not necessarily what she sees when she looks in the mirror, but it is how she feels.
In her heart and mind, Lulu is a rhinoceros but those around her see a bulldog. What she needs to convince them is … a rhino horn. After a few failed attempts, Lulu finds her horn … a banana peel that sits perfectly on her snout. But when it is stolen by a bully, the chase leads her to the zoo and into the rhino enclosure. Surrounded by rhinos, she meets a new friend and finds that it is not a horn that she needs to be accepted as the rhinoceros that she believes she is.
Jason and Allison Flom, in a father and daughter collaboration, have created a debut picture book which reflects their backgrounds in storytelling, justice and animal rights. Narrated by Lulu, she describes the difference between what she sees and what she feels. Her conversations with other characters have expected responses until she is bullied. Then her dialogue becomes far more forceful and when she finds a friend it becomes thoughtful.
Acclaimed illustrator Sophie Corrigan’s illustrations will draw readers to this book. With watercolours and pens she creates gentle characters with expressive features and movements. Her settings, in the single page spreads, also have a softness to them. There is plenty of detail for children to search through and the text used in the images also give voice to Lulu.
Now the basis for an Apple TV animated series to be released on the 30th of May, Lulu is a Rhinoceros is a sweet exploration of individuality and gently expresses themes of personality, self-expression, acceptance and friendship for early childhood readers.
Greystone Books, Updated edition 2025
