Tacky Goes to Camp
Written by Helen Lester
Illustrated by Lynn Munsinger
Recommended for ages 4-8
Houghton Mifflin $21.95

The warm weather is finally here (or at least it is in the forecast). The birds are flocking to our feeders and the flowers are starting to bloom. All of this means it is time to start thinking about the summer and decide how our children will spend their days. For many, it means camps of one sort or another. But we can be sure none of us will visit the kind of camp Tacky takes us to in his newest adventure.

Tacky and his cohorts, Goodly, Lovely, Angel, Neatly and Perfect, are off to Camp Whoopihaha in Nice Icy Land. As with many campers, the penguins enjoy rock climbing, swimming, archery and arts and crafts.

Tacky’s favourite activity is sleeping out under the stars with his friends. The evening begins by singing campfire songs, then indulging in the age-old favourite snack of s’mores. And what is a campfire without scary stories. After all of the penguins have taken their turn telling their tales, it is Tacky’s turn. The story he chooses, Beware, the Bear, ends up being funny instead of scary, as always, fitting of Tacky’s personality. The night under the stars has a surprising twist when the penguins wake up to a real bear staring down at them. When the group tries to escape they cannot find Tacky. Where can he be and what is that green, monster-like creature emerging from his slumber?

Munsinger’s illustrations in this new story are hilarious. Tacky is always the odd-man out in an amusing way from his choice of a circus tent as his sleeping quarters to his inability to keep in line with his fellow synchronized swimmers to the oodles of marshmallows that he tries to cook over the open fire. Youngsters who know Tacky from his other adventures will appreciate his wackiness in this funny escapade at summer camp.

Lester and Munsinger have collaborated on six other Tacky books.