Raj and the best vacation ever!

K-Gr 2--Young tiger Raj and his father are taking a vacation, a trip that takes days of planning and luggage packed tightly into the car. Vibrant color and digital cartoon art move the action forward, following the pair as they prepare. Their small, yellow, overflowing car makes its way slowly on a zigzag map past city streets and stores, and after what seems to be a really long, long time, they arrive at their campsite. Capital letters and enlarged font emphasize Raj's opinions. "This is going to be the best vacation EVER!" At the campsite, it's apparent that Dad has done some of his homework, but setting up a tent isn't simple, and working in the dark is a challenge. A series of thought bubbles allows the reader to view his anxiety while trying to solve the complex puzzle of the tent. There's a friendly family of bears who offer to help with setting up the tent, fixing breakfasts, and guiding part of a hike, but--and this is never explained--Dad doesn't accept their offers until he and Raj's lives are threatened. VERDICT A suggested general purchase, this title takes readers through the ups and downs of a first camping trip, made even better when everyone works together.--Mary Elam, Learning Media Services, Plano I.S.D., TX

Raj the tiger cub and Dad are going camping. Raj has read lots of books about camping and knows just what to expect: meals cooked on a camp stove, nights spent in a tent, days spent hiking mountains, and--maybe if they're lucky--a ride in a canoe. Raj is convinced that this is going to be the best vacation ever. But when the tigers finally reach the campsite, things don't go quite as expected. Raj's father has a hard time putting up the tent in the evening and lighting the camp stove for breakfast. When they go on a mountain hike together, the tigers run out of water. The tigers camp near a bear family who all seem to be experienced campers, but Raj's father constantly turns down their offers of help--at least until the tigers end up taking a wrong turn down the river. Despite all the difficulties they face, Raj is still convinced that their camping trip is the best vacation ever. Braun balances both child-friendly and adult-friendly humor, making it a pleasure for adults and children to read together. The illustrations are teeming with movement, life, and detail, and they are sure to delight children who are close observers. Although the father tiger's inability to accept help from the bear family feels like a strangely adult conflict in what ought to be a child-centered book, generally the story is entertaining to read. (This book was reviewed digitally with 11.4-by-17.6-inch double-page spreads viewed at 55.1% of actual size.) A sweet and satisfying book about a vacation that goes wrong before it goes right. (Picture book. 3-6) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.