Exploring the Great Outdoors

Exploring the Great OutdoorsLittle Critter: Exploring the Great Outdoors by Mercer Mayer
Published by HarperCollins on February 19th 2019
ISBN: 0062431455
Pages: 32
Goodreads
two-stars

Little Critter narrates an adventure that he and his classmates have when they take a hike in the Critterville State park.  The group is met by a forest ranger that goes over the Park rules.  They buy snacks, then walk and walk.  Along the way, Gator falls down, the park ranger falls off the rope bridge and they encounter a bear cub.  Snacks are lost, shared and poison ivy is identified.  They all make it safely on the bus for the tiring ride home.  The story reads more like a grocery list of negative park experiences than a story that quickly pulls a reader into a succinct plot line.  The illustrations are classic Mayer in colors and landscapes that fill up the pages.  There are a few simple sentences per page.  The busy illustrations may be distracting to new readers.  Little Critter fans will want to read this one, otherwise pass on the adventure.

Reviewed by Sheila Dube, Springvale Public Library

two-stars