Yes, Let’s

By: Galen Goodwin Longstreth
Illustrated by: Maris Wicks
Publisher: Tanglewood
Publication Date: April 2013
ISBN: 978-1-933718-87-3
Reviewed by: Amy Lignor 
Review Date: March 14, 2013

Ninety-nine percent of the world’s people can think back and remember those special days…

Climbing into the station wagon with your siblings and elbowing them in the ribs in order to make room for the family dog (which was basically the only one you wanted to travel with in the first place); Dad was up front, yawning, but staring out the window wishing he was heading into the forest with a much quieter crew so he could catch some fish; and Mom was in the passenger seat rolling her eyes, looking out her window and most likely imaging how great the day would be if it involved peace and quiet, yet still excited about the fact that the family was doing something fun together.

Even my own mother used to say she’d love a ‘cabin in the woods where she and the cat could go and hide’ so she could read a book without two children constantly whining. But when it came to the ‘family vacation’ or ‘outdoor family fun day,’ she would also smile wide, grateful we were all together.

With this fantastic book - that should be read by both children and their parents - the reader goes on one of those ‘family fun days’ and calls up all of their own stored memories. From attempting to wake up the children to get an early head start, to riding in that cramped station wagon, to then reaching the destination where everyone has a smile on their face, excited about their upcoming adventure. On through the woods, enjoying a swim in the lake or a rest on the beach - this book has it all.

Dad goes fishing and the kids learn all about the beauty that the wilderness has to offer. Every single page of this book is filled with lovely memories just like that, and illustrations that will bring a smile to the face and warmth to the heart.

The very best part of this children’s book is the fact that it reminds our twenty-first century, technological world that family fun is 100% better than staring at a computer screen or talking into a cell phone while the world passes us by.

Quill Says: A big ‘congrats’ to the team that put this together. Hopefully, family memories such as these will continue to be made!