“LARUE ACROSS AMERICA: Postcards from the Vacation,” by Mark Teague, Blue Sky Press, March 1, 2011, $16.99 (ages 4-8)
When Mrs. Hibbins is rushed to the hospital during a heat wave, her neighbor, Gertrude LaRue offers to help by taking care of Mrs. Hibbins’ two cats. Gertrude promises that the cats and her dog, Ike, will get along famously on a cross-country road trip.
Ike doesn’t agree. He takes it upon himself to send some postcards to Mrs. Hibbins from various locations on their trip in hopes that she will collect her cats before any harm is done.
Whether it’s being forced to stay in a vile motel because “none of the finer establishments will accept cats,” or the cats making “complete fools of themselves here at ‘Dino-Land,'” Ike can’t find a good reason for the felines to accompany them for the rest of their journey.
Bright colors and bold illustrations accompany clever postcard missives throughout this entertaining book. Children will enjoy a story from a dong’s point of view and will giggle at all the ensuing mischief. This is a perfect read for any family planning a road trip this coming summer.
