Description
Drawn from real life, these tender and funny comics about a young boy named Lou are a joyful exploration of self-discovery and self-expression. This is a book for all ages and will be a sure hit with comics fans of Le Petit Nicolas, Charlie and Lola, Calvin & Hobbes and Peanuts.
Meet Lou. Lou is many things: clever, creative, competitive, thoughtful, funny . . . and, most of all, FANTASTIC! He meets life's ups and downs with courage, curiosity and a plucky openheartedness. He enjoys his own thoughts and solo company but is always ready to dance, wrestle, wriggle, somersault and karate chop his way into his parents' day (or night).
With the sweetest touch and most expressive lines, Qin Leng perfectly captures the emotional essence of young childhood, while offering a celebration of imaginative play and fantasy worlds. From his bedtime antics and rock 'n' roll moves, to his bathtub heroics and toilet musings, Lou will utterly charm readers of all ages.
Meet Lou. Lou is many things: clever, creative, competitive, thoughtful, funny . . . and, most of all, FANTASTIC! He meets life's ups and downs with courage, curiosity and a plucky openheartedness. He enjoys his own thoughts and solo company but is always ready to dance, wrestle, wriggle, somersault and karate chop his way into his parents' day (or night).
With the sweetest touch and most expressive lines, Qin Leng perfectly captures the emotional essence of young childhood, while offering a celebration of imaginative play and fantasy worlds. From his bedtime antics and rock 'n' roll moves, to his bathtub heroics and toilet musings, Lou will utterly charm readers of all ages.
Author Bio
Qin Leng was born in Shanghai and lived in France and Montreal. She now lives and works as a designer and illustrator in Toronto. Her father, an artist himself, was a great influence on her. She grew up surrounded by paintings, and it became second nature for her to express herself through art. She graduated from the Mel Hoppenheim School of Cinema and has received many awards for her animated short films and artwork. Qin has always loved to illustrate the innocence of children and has developed a passion for children’s books. She has illustrated numerous picture books for publishers in Canada, the United States, and South Korea.
Prizes
- Doug Wright Award for Best BookNominated 2026
- Richard Allen Chase Memorial AwardShort-listed 2026
Review Quotes
A 2026 Doug Wright Award for Best Kids' Book Nominee
Shortlisted for the 2026 Richard Allen Chase Memorial Award
"A charming look at life through the eyes of a young child." —Kirkus Reviews
"A realistic story about being yourself and feeling good about it, and a perfect title for bedtime." —School Library Journal
"With her graceful and simple illustrations, Qin Leng perfectly captures the raw, sentimental, and whimsical essence of youth that is found in the everyday moments of childhood." —Quebec Library Association
"All good children’s books are also good books for adults, but some seem specifically designed for both audiences. Qin Leng’s graphic chapter book, picture book, or collection of “little comics,” is definitely in the latter category. . . . Yet Fantastic Lou is also fantastic for children, reflecting their thoughts and feelings about everyday situations and important relationships." —Imaginary Elevators
Shortlisted for the 2026 Richard Allen Chase Memorial Award
"A charming look at life through the eyes of a young child." —Kirkus Reviews
"A realistic story about being yourself and feeling good about it, and a perfect title for bedtime." —School Library Journal
"With her graceful and simple illustrations, Qin Leng perfectly captures the raw, sentimental, and whimsical essence of youth that is found in the everyday moments of childhood." —Quebec Library Association
"All good children’s books are also good books for adults, but some seem specifically designed for both audiences. Qin Leng’s graphic chapter book, picture book, or collection of “little comics,” is definitely in the latter category. . . . Yet Fantastic Lou is also fantastic for children, reflecting their thoughts and feelings about everyday situations and important relationships." —Imaginary Elevators
Biographical note
QIN LENG has illustrated numerous picture books, magazines and book covers with publishers from around the world. Her recent picture books include the national bestseller Skinnamarink, One Elephant Went Out to Play and Peanut Butter and Jelly written by Sharon, Lois and Bram; and Trèfle (Clover) by Nadine Robert, which won the 2022 Governor General's Literary Award for Young Persons Literature — Illustrated Books. She is also the illustrator of A Family Is a Family Is a Family written by Sara O'Leary and Hana Hashimoto, Sixth Violin, which was a finalist for the Governor General's Literary Award and received the APALA Award for best picture book. She lives in Toronto with her husband and her son.
