Stacations aren't so bad when you have a great imagination! This brother and sister find plenty to do on their staycation. Young readers will enjoy this tale and likely be inspired, as well! Illustrations were great!

(I received an ARC from the NETGALLEY)

RATING: 3.5 STARS

On Harry and Clare's first day of vacation it rains. The two siblings decide to use their imagination to go adventures together. They don't always agree but they always have fun. A cute story with good illustrations.

'Harry and Clare's Amazing Staycation' by Ted Staunton with illustrations by Mika Song is about the power of imagination, and also about the power of kindness.

Harry and Clare are on spring break. They are stuck at home. It is raining. What are two kids to do? On Monday, they go exploring the volcanoes of Mars in the living room. Harry carries the luggage, Clare carries the snacks. This happens through the week. Harry has an idea. Will his idea work and will he get to finally eat a snack?

I love books about kids imaginations and this one had lots of that. The kids make the best of being stuck at home and the rain by using their minds to have fun. I love how Harry solves the problem of Clare not sharing snacks. It's not a perfect solution, but it is kind. The illustrations are cute and I think young readers will like this book.

I received a review copy of this ebook from Penguin Random House Canada, Tundra Books, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.

Brother and sister, Harry and Clare, aren’t going anywhere for their spring break plus it’s raining. But they manage to visit exotic locales anyway, using their imaginations. Their living room turns into the volcanic surface of Mars. The next day they raced cars in the grocery store. The third day, they went to the local pool and Harry was forced to walk the plank. In fact, every day Clare decided on the game and then managed to eat Harry’s snack along with her own. As the week went by though, Harry started to plan a way to keep the snacks for himself and decide on the game.

The dynamics between these two siblings are wonderfully honest and accurate. The older sister who knows all and manages to be tricky too. The younger brother who loves the games that he plays with his sister at first and then slowly realizes that he wants some decision-making power too. The two children are the only real characters in the book with parents along the periphery but nothing more. Harry himself figures out the way to get his sister’s attention through food and then how to insert his own point of view into their play. It’s done gently and intelligently without drama.

Song’s illustrations embrace the imaginative play of the children, showing how a playground transforms into a jungle and a couch becomes the way to the volcano. The pictures have a playful lightness. The hair of the children is wonderfully wild, exactly the way that children’s hair really looks, particularly while on school break.

Perfect for your next staycation or any time that children are spending time at home, this picture book is exactly the snack kids will want. Appropriate for ages 4-6.

"Harry and Clare’s Amazing Staycation" will show children that they don’t have to be "plugged in” in order to have a good time! I loved the main characters’ imaginations and adventures!

Harry and Clare's Amazing Staycation is a glimpse into the inventive and creative playtime of a brother and sister making the most of their time at home. Harry is bossed around by big sister Clare and he stands up for himself towards the end - hooray for you, Harry!
Great illustrations and funny dialogue make this title perfect for ages 4-8.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.