OLLIE'S CLASS TRIP

Since Ollie already knows what to expect on the first day of school (Ollie’s School Day, 2012), this time he tackles another school staple: field trips.

The format matches the first, presenting readers with a question and three outlandish answers before revealing the reasonable—and correct—one: “How will the class get to the aquarium? / Will they go in a submarine? NO! / Will they fly there like kites? NO! / Will they roll to the aquarium like bowling balls? NO! // Will Ollie’s class ride the school bus? YES!” It’s easy to imagine the participation this will spark. The questions vary between those that apply to an aquarium trip and universal field-trip etiquette, the latter being slightly didactic—while the aquarium guide is speaking, “Will Ollie have fun looking, listening and learning?”—and including the hot topic of losing a buddy. The final page, “Ollie’s Class Trip ‘Yes' List,” presents some other important points about field trips, covering staying with the group, holding your buddy’s hand, and what to do if separated from either. Carter’s watercolors play up the humor of the ridiculous answers and are sure to spark laughter; his teacher, though, is something else—all angles, points, and wild hair—and her shadow is downright strange.

Not as strong as Ollie’s first outing but still a good choice to share with classes before a field trip.