FICTION

The Truth About My Unbelievable Summer…

by Davide CALI
illus. by Benjamin Chaud. 44p. Chronicle. Jul. 2016. Tr $12.99. ISBN 9781452144832.
COPY ISBN
Gr 1–3—The little boy from I Didn't Do My Homework Because… tells an increasingly tall tale about his summer vacation. The excitement begins with the cover (depicting the boy and his dog entangled in the arms of an octopus) and is carried through to the endpapers (featuring the creature's suction cups). "So, what did you do this summer?" asks his teacher. He recounts a magical tale involving a treasure map, pirates, a submarine, a flying machine, yetis, and more. Careful readers will pick up on several visual clues and jokes. Spare text is enhanced by intricate cartoon illustrations in this picture book with an attractive chapter book trim size.
VERDICT A fast-paced story that will keep kids chuckling and perhaps inspire their own unbelievable tall tales.—Andrea Pavlik, Huntington Public Library, NY
Reviewed by it was a treasure map!” The protagonist’s breathless narration is amusing. In one particularly funny scene, the teacher questions a scenario with people in period clothing and the boy has to admit: “It turned out to be a medieval festival.” Appealing and meticulously detailed illustrations depict exciting action. The boy encounters pirates at sea, is chased across a desert by mummies, skis down a mountain past yetis, and much more. An unexpected final reveal will have kids thinking of possible motives for the teacher’s actions and turning back to spot clues they may have missed on the first read.
, Jun 01, 2016

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