Monster and Mouse Go Camping

March 1, 2018
A camping trip for two friends doesn't quite go as planned.Tiny, white Mouse is bursting with enthusiasm when she greets big, fuchsia Monster with "Let's go camping!" But Monster doesn't know what camping is. Mouse explains: "You walk in the woods. You sleep in a tent. You tell spooky stories." Monster's posture says it all (scary!), but Mouse's promise that there will also be food brings him around--it's clear from the opening spread that he is ruled by his stomach. Camping-savvy readers will note something missing from Mouse's checklist of items to pack. And as the duo heads through the woods, their supplies dwindle--apparently Monster, who is round and bristly with a horn on the end of his long snout and two pointy teeth, must be part goat. When they finally reach the hilltop where Mouse has chosen to camp, the truth comes out. Mouse's face droops as she learns what's happened, but Monster's regretful sincerity is genuine, as is Mouse's. In a twist readers won't see coming, the two find a (hilarious!) solution to their problem, and Monster turns out to like camping after all. The digital illustrations keep the focus on the friends and their emotions, the slapstick humor coming through loud and clear.This is one camping trip sure to live up to expectations. (Picture book. 4-8)

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June 1, 2018

PreS-Gr 2-Monster and Mouse prepare for the great outdoors in this picture book about camping and friendship. Mouse convinces reluctant Monster to camp out with the promise of food. They prepare by making a list of essentials which includes sleeping bags, a tent, and a lamp. Once they venture into the woods, it becomes clear that they did not think of everything when Monster has to snack on the supplies. The two friends, cold and hungry, sit in the dark in silence. In a surprise twist, they finally get to experience the joys of camping (and roasted marshmallows) after inadvertently scaring away a family that was sitting around a campfire telling spooky stories. The uniform colors of the digital cartoon illustrations expertly reflect the passing of time throughout the day, with each page getting darker and ending with a starry night sky. There is no background setting in the beginning pages; however, there is a nice contrast between small, white Mouse and large, red Monster. Their body language and large eyes perfectly reinforce their personalities and emotions, from excitement to disappointment. The illustrations are humorous, especially when the family goes screaming into the woods. Lovers of the great outdoors and those with a camping aversion will root for these friends. VERDICT Perfect for sharing one-on-one around the campfire or in a camping-themed storytime.-Lauren White, Wake County Public Libraries, NC

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April 15, 2018
Preschool-G Mouse is excited to go camping with her friend Monster. Monster, on the other hand, isn't convinced that camping will be fun at all, but he's persuaded to give it a try by the promise of yummy food. Digital illustrations show the friends packing a wagon with supplies and striking off into the woods. As Mouse scouts for a good campsite, Monster dips into the wagon for a snack, munching (to his eventual chagrin) their tent, sleeping bags, and lantern. What's more, Mouse forgot to pack their actual food! The sun sets on the dejected duo, but a nearby campfire draws the friends with hopes of food and warmth. Happily, Monster's hulking size scares off the campers, leaving a cozy site free to use?tents, s'mores, and all. Underwood's (Interstellar Cinderella, 2015) story fits nicely among others that use humor to debunk fears or promote friendly monsters, such as Gianna Marino's Night Animals (2015) and Nicholas John Frith's A Werewolf Named Oliver James (2018). This funny friendship story is perfect for summer nights.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2018, American Library Association.)