Selfie and a Shelfie with Lynnette Mawhinney, Author of Lulu the One and Only

The Children’s Book Review

Lynnette Mawhinney, Ph.D., is associate professor in the department of curriculum and instruction at the University of Illinois at Chicago helping to prepare future urban teachers for the classroom. She’s written several academic books and articles. LULU THE ONE AND ONLY is her first children’s book. Dr. Mawhinney is biracial, like her character Lulu, and an expert on teaching diverse populations and in urban environments. She lives in Chicago.

Lynnette Mawhinney, Ph.D.’s Selfie with Lulu the One and Only

I took this selfie at home since the city I live in, Chicago, is still on shelter-in-place due to the COVID-19 pandemic. But it is certainly a fitting place, as Lulu the One and Only is a great book to cuddle up with loved ones and read together at home. This book is about Lulu who is a biracial girl trying to deal with THAT question everyone asks her, “What are you?” This book comes from a place of love and comfort—just like a home should be.

Lynnette Mawhinney, Ph.D.’s Shelfie

I have bookshelves all over my house, and that’s not counting the number of bookshelves I have at my work office. I am a bit of a book junkie, and I’m proud of it. The bookshelf near my writing desk has a ton of children’s books. I love to read what is new and also the classics that fill my heart. The bookshelf in my living room has a ton of urban sociology and education books. Since I am an Urban Educator by day, I also do academic writing (which you can see at lynnettemawhinney.com) in this area, so I need to keep up with other scholarly work. I keep some on the academic books at home, but most of these books are at my work office.

To learn more, and to download a curriculum guide, visit her website: https://www.lynnettemawhinney.com/for-children.

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Lulu the One and Only

Written by Lynnette Mawhinney

Illustrated by Jennie Poh

Publisher’s Synopsis: Lulu loves her family, but people are always asking

What are you?

Lulu hates that question. Her brother inspires her to come up with a power phrase so she can easily express who she is, not what she is.

Includes a note from the author, sharing her experience as the only biracial person in her family and advice for navigating the complexity of when both parents do not share the same racial identity as their children.

★“All children will benefit from this pitch-perfect discussion of race, identity, complexity, and beauty.” —Kirkus Reviews (starred)

Ages 4-8 | Publisher: Magination Press | June 9, 2020 | ISBN-13: 978-1433831591

Buy the Book

Discover more books like Lulu the One and Only, written by Lynnette Mawhinney and illustrated by Jennie Poh, by checking out our reviews and articles tagged with Books About Identity and Picture Book. Be sure to follow along with our Selfie and a Shelfie series, too!