The forest animals go on vacation to the great indoors. But by the weekend they are tired and just want to go home. The book is meant to put a fun spin on vacations, but it’ didn’t really do anything for me. ( )

Family goes camping; animals move indoors. Everything goes well at first, and then ... ( )

Julie Falatko, the author of the amusing Snappsy the Alligator books, and Ruth Chan, author/illustrator of the entertaining Georgie and Friends titles, join forces in this unusual holiday adventure. While a human family heads off for their own vacation in the outdoors, a group of woodland animals takes up residence in their home, intent on enjoying "the great indoors." Things go well at first, but soon the animals have created a terrible mess and, deciding that their own homes are best, head off. Just at that moment, the human family returns...

Pairing an entertaining and occasionally giggle-inducing narrative and cute illustrations that capture the humor and charm of the story, The Great Indoors is a winsome new picture-book. The story idea is clever, and there are moments in the text - the skunk talking about "the simple life," the bear declaring that "frosty cold" beverages are so much better than the "forest-temperature" ones he is used to - that really stand out. I don't know that this one struck my funny bone quite as strongly as the Snappsy books, but it was certainly engaging and fun. The artwork is appealing, and accentuates the madcap sense of fun throughout. Recommended to anyone who has ever wondered what the animals would get up to on vacation, as well as to those who prefer the idea of a staycation at home, to the idea of camping in the woods. ( )