January 1, 2014
Gr 2-4-Krulik's beginning chapter book series is designed to appeal to elementary-aged children who love being grossed out by a goofball kid with a prodigious burp. Here George and his friend Alex join their nemesis, Louie, and his posse on a camping trip with the Beaver Scouts. Hapless Troop Leader Buttonwood clumsily leads the boys into the woods to learn about camp cooking, fire safety, canoeing, hiking, and scary storytelling. Times have changed, and two girls are also welcomed into the troop, to the initial annoyance of the boys. They will be glad later. Narrator Jonathan Todd Ross voices the best "magical super burp" sound ever, which burbles unbidden out of George at the most inopportune times, and is accompanied by ridiculous comic antics. Ross ably creates different voices for each character, but his metier is creating realistic sound effects, which greatly enhances this recording. The story is stuffed with onomatopoeia, bing-bonging and ping-ponging through all the practical jokes. A better title might include the word "camping," as that is the focus of the story, while toileting in the woods is only one small detail. As the scouts say, "Be prepared" to be entertained by this audio performance if you are a boy under the age of nine.-"Lonna Pierce, MacArthur Elementary School, Binghampton, NY"
Copyright 2014 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.