ALA Booklist (Sat May 01 00:00:00 CDT 1993)

A family vacation sends Arthur into the doldrums as he contemplates a week without his pal Buster. The crowded accommodations at the Ocean View Motel (the ocean's just across the highway behind that shopping center) do little to cheer him. But when rain further dims the prospects for fun, he turns the week around with a series of rainy-day field trips (the local Cow Festival, Gatorville, Flo's Fudge Factory), until the sun comes out and the family hits the beach at last. The colorful illustrations are as lively and as comical as ever, though the picture of Arthur's dad in his bathing suit is a little disconcerting: What are these characters anyway? Humans with animal heads? What kind of animal? And with ears on the tops of their heads, what keeps their sunglasses on? Arthur fans may not give these details a second thought, though, as they devour the latest in this popular series. (Reviewed May 15, 1993)

Horn Book (Thu Apr 01 00:00:00 CST 1993)

Spending a week at the beach crowded into a small motel room with his family is not a pleasant prospect for skeptical Arthur. Constant rain threatens to ruin the family's vacation, but Arthur--as always--saves the day. Brown adroitly conveys the very human feelings of his quasi-animal characters in judicious sketches, creating amusing scenes that eloquently expand the simple text. A cheery view of family life and dilemmas common among growing children.

Kirkus Reviews

Arthur would rather join his friends for baseball practice or camp, but his parents are firm: it's going to be a weeklong family vacation. But even they are daunted by the small room in the inaptly named Ocean View Motel (a shopping center is the chief sight), while D.W. observes that the pool is smaller than a bathtub. When it rains all week, though, it's Arthur who takes the initiative—he checks the newspaper and plans field trips, like the ones they have at camp. They go to a cow festival, tour Gatorville and a fudge factory, go to the movies, etc., until Father comments: ``I never realized there are so many fun things to do in the rain.'' Still, it's nice to see the sun on Friday. On his 17th outing, Arthur continues to be an unusually likable role model; amusing, healthy fare. (Picture book. 4-8)"

Publishers Weekly (Fri Oct 06 00:00:00 CDT 2023)

The irrepressible Arthur and his equally high-spirited kid sister star in aardvarkian antics that offer, said PW, ``substantial doses of Brown's trademark understated humor and art brimming with witty details.'' Ages 3-8; 4-8. (May)

School Library Journal

PreS-Gr 2-- Poor Arthur! He wants to go to camp with his best friend, but instead he has to go on a family vacation at the beach. As if spending an entire week with his sister D. W. weren't enough, the Ocean View Motel doesn't have a view, the pool is smaller than a bathtub, and their room is a cinderblock cubicle. Even worse, it rains nonstop for days. Arthur remembers that there's always something to do at camp and takes the family on field trips. A Cow Festival, Gatorville, Flo's Fudge Factory, and Jimmy's Jungle Cruise are just a few of sights they take in, and when the sun comes out on Friday, they have a glorious day at the beach. Brown's 17th Arthur adventure is right on target. The gentle irony is reinforced by his distinctive watercolors that capitalize on the humor of the family's situation and their outings. This is a funny story about making the most of a situation for children and a cautionary tale for parents foolhardy enough to go to the beach without contingency plans. A must-buy. --Jeanne Marie Clancy, Upper Merion Township Library, King of Prussia, PA