The Best Worst Campout Ever by Joe Cepeda

The Best Worst Campout Ever by Joe Cepeda. Holiday House, 2024. 9780823453948

Rating:  1-5 (5 is an excellent or a Starred review) 4

Format: Hardcover graphic novel

Genre: Realistic fiction

What did you like about the book? School is out for the summer, and that means it’s time for a father-son camping trip!  A young boy and his dad set out for a perfect trip involving setting up a tent under tall shady  trees, fishing, hiking, and campfires.  Dad reassures his son he has it all planned out, but things go wrong almost from the very beginning: their desired campground is full, and there’s only one spot left at the next one, and it is out in the open.  From there, everything that can go wrong, does, from forgetting to pack tent poles to coming across a bear on the hiking trail. But each mistake or potential disaster turns into something positive, especially the quality time spent together.

This endearing comic book has a lot of valuable themes: problem solving, choosing a positive mindset, and appreciating nature.  The father and son are never discouraged when they discover one of their many issues, they simply opt for Plan B; even skunks in the campsite don’t deter them – they just decide to go fishing!  The book is part of the “I Like to Read Comics” set; the layout is a little complex for new readers, with irregular sized and shaped panels and wordy speech bubbles, but the sweet story and Joe Cepeda’s illustrations make it worth the effort.  The charming earth-toned digital artwork includes attractive landscapes and nature scenes as well as cute animals and heartwarming father-son tableaus.    

Anything you did not like about the book?  No

To whom would you recommend this book? It’s a nice addition to an early comics collection, for readers in grades K-2.  It would be a perfect summer reading choice for a kid preparing for a family camping trip too!

Who should buy this book? Public and elementary school libraries

Where would you shelve it?  Early reader comics

Should we (librarians) put this on the top of our “to read” piles?  No

Reviewer’s Name, Library (or school), City:  Leigh Russell King, Lincoln Street School, Northborough, Massachusetts.

Date of review: June 6, 2024