JIMMY AND THE MONSTER PEE

Rumors of monsters loom over a young boy’s first camping trip in Bott’s picture book.

Jimmy is excited to learn that his parents will be taking him camping. But when his classmates discover that he’ll be going to the infamous Lake Qualikalak, they give him an eerie warning: “when you go to Lake Qualikalak, you never come back,” because “big, green, and ugly monsters” gobble kids up who wander away from their parents. Jimmy begs his mom and dad to cancel the trip, but they insist on going. On the way there, several signposts give Jimmy pause (“Plump children welcome at Lake Qualikalak”), and that night, Jimmy tries to wake his parents to escort him to a restroom, to no avail—so he makes a “monster” of a decision to get himself home. Bott’s story will engage both young readers and adults, because although the story initially seems to be moving in the direction of realism, a twist proves otherwise. Kim’s colorful cartoon illustrations are lighthearted and bright or dark and frightening by turns, an effect that adds engaging atmosphere. A cheeky final scene opens up the possibility of future family trips—and more stories within this absurd fictional world.

A witty and spooky tale.