Tom Gates wins over readers through his expressive doodles, his comical annoyance with family holidays, and his creative ways of handling school rivalries. This book uses a handwritten style and high energy layouts to turn everyday frustrations into humorous victories. Books in this family share a notebook aesthetic, visual storytelling, and a focus on the funny side of childhood disasters.
A parent might reach for this book when their child is facing a disappointment, like a canceled plan or a vacation that isn't as grand as they hoped. It's a perfect antidote to the feeling that things are 'ruined.' This installment in the popular Tom Gates series follows Tom's family on a holiday that goes hilariously wrong, turning into a rustic camping trip next door to his arch-nemesis. With his signature doodles and upbeat humor, Tom navigates family squabbles and failed expectations, showing kids how creativity and a good attitude can turn a disaster into an adventure. For ages 7-11, it's a fantastic, highly-visual choice for reluctant readers that normalizes frustration and models resilience in a genuinely funny way.
