Gaspard on Vacation (Gutman, Anne. Misadventures of Gaspard and Lisa.)

Gaspard on Vacation is one of two titles launching the Misadventures of Gaspard and Lisa series. While on vacation, Gaspard escapes from his family's endless visits to museums and embarks on his own exciting adventure. He finds a little red kayak--the perfect fit--and takes off to explore the canals of Venice, until an unfortunate run-in with a gondola stops him!

We couldn't believe our luck--one of our all-time favorite illustrators, Georg Hallensleben (And If the Moon Could Talk, Baboon), taking on Venice, one of our favorite cities, with his rich, gorgeous color palette and tangible brushstrokes. Gaspard is a black dog who loves to travel. On a Venetian vacation, he and his family visit "museums, museums, and more museums" until he happens to spot a red kayak just his size in a nearby canal. He hops in and winds his way through the canals of Venice until he collides with a "CRASH! SPLASH!" into a big black gondola. He makes a quick escape and hides in a church, but when it starts to get dark, he starts to get scared. The day is saved when a police boat finds him, he's reunited with his family, and they proceed to eat "the best spaghetti in the world." Youngsters will be pleased at the slight air of suspense and happy ending of this quick-to-read but satisfying bedtime story. Adults will revel in the warm wash of a sunny day in Venice and its familiar landmarks. (Ages 3 and older) --Karin Snelson