{My thoughts} – A surprise indeed. I enjoyed reading through this book. It’s about a group of animals that are friends, but they are bored because it is always just the three of them. They want to make some new friends and try to when a family of humans sow up for a camping trip. However, their surprise doesn’t go as planned. Instead of being able to enjoy the day with the human’s they scare them off.

I think that any child can enjoy this book. It has it’s laugh out loud moments, especially when you are looking through the illustrations while reading the words on each page. Both help to bring the story to life quite splendidly. ( )

FUnny!!!!! ( )

Funny story of a bear, raccoon and squirrel who would like to make some new friends. When a family visits the woods to go camping our trio plans a surprise party. Surprising people does not seem to be a party to our campers and leave in a hurry. Laughter is recommended as you read this book. Bright and colorful illustrations. ( )

Three woodland friends - Bear, Squirrel and Raccoon - long for some new friends and pastimes in this amusing picture-book from author/illustrator Caroline Hadilaksono. Unfortunately, their efforts to befriend some of the other creatures prove less than successful. Then a group of City Folks shows up, and the three are sure they're about to expand their social circle. They just have to plan the best surprise party ever. The party turns out to be a surprise all right - for everyone involved...

Surprise! is Hadilaksono's first picture-book, and what a debut it is! I found myself chuckling at more than one point, both at the animal companions' awkward attempts to make friends, and at their surprise-party shenanigans. The reader/listener will be able to anticipate where this is all going, and how the human visitors will react to their "party," but it is still fun watching it all unfold. The accompanying artwork is colorful and cute, capturing the humor of the situation. Recommended to young animal lovers, and to anyone considering camping. ( )

A bear, a squirrel, and a raccoon are longtime friends that are eager for new company, so they're delighted when a carful of city folks comes to their woods to go camping. Unfortunately, the animals' enthusiastic welcome sends the people packing. The animals, oblivious, "didn't know why the city folks left so soon....but [they] had a splendid time together, just the three of them" with the left-behind tent and snacks. ( )