Although Buzz's parents are initially resistant to him taking his insect pet along on vacation, Fly Guy joins the family as they drive to the beach, the museum, and the fun park. When they get lost on the homeward trip, Buzz sends Fly Guy aloft to study the landscape and save the day. The story offers built-in breaks for beginning readers by inviting them to search for Fly Guy in the pictures. Everything about the artwork spells fun, from the cartoonlike pencil drawings of googly-eyed characters to the circus-bright watercolor washes. Another winner in the amusing Fly Guy series.

When Buzz and his parents take a road trip, pet-of-sorts Fly Guy stows away in the trunk. Rather than getting lost, as Dad fears, the insect displays effortless adaptive skills. He surfs at the beach, smooches a Mona Lisa look-alike at the art museum and rides the roller coaster at the fun park, finding snacks aplenty in trashcans en route. When Dad loses the way home, Fly Guy rises to the rescue, using "his super fly eyes to spy their house." Arnold delivers another engaging romp that combines a spare but never stilted text and child-appealing pictures (wherein even the figures in museum paintings are bug-eyed). From the very shiny cover's dizzying perspective to the heroic conclusion, this fifth outing's a shoo-in for kids who prefer their beginning readers funny and action-packed. (Early reader. 4-7)

K-Gr 2 In this easy reader, Buzz asks permission to take Fly Guy on their family vacation, and Mom says, "He's too little. He might get lost." But the illustration shows Dad closing the trunk with the pet inside, so Fly Guy accompanies them to the beach, art museum, and amusement park. Short chapters state the day's itinerary: "They drove to the beach." Activity is depicted in wonderful wordless illustrations, such as Fly Guy riding a wave in a clam shell, kissing a Mona Lisa look-alike at the museum, and helping to lead the way home. Arnold masterfully infuses funny, expressive cartoon illustrations with actions that further the plot, minimizing the burden of decoding for emerging readers and maximizing their ability to engage in a fun and satisfying story. Laura Scott, Farmington Community Library, MI