We're Going on a Trip

Loomis ( My New Baby-Sitter ) adeptly guides children and parents through another potentially turbulent experience--vacations. In a five-page foreword, Loomis offers parents thoughtful travel advice that ventures beyond the typical packing tips to such fine points as how to calm children's fears of the unknown and prevent backseat territorial disputes. The advice to children is tucked discreetly into two stories of vacationing families. Readers share Julius's experiences as he flies to a family reunion, from seeing how his stuffed lion looks when X-rayed at security to noting the bumps and loud noises when the plane lands. Ginger and Harry travel by car to a hotel; along the way they play ``I Spy'' and counting games that should inspire other restless travelers. Chambliss's wholesome, cheery watercolors to some extent obscure the didactic agenda and make the book more story-like. Ages 4-up. (Mar.)