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The illustrated characters in this colorful chapter book series may be solid gray, but they are hardly dull. After their festive debut in The Grod Family’s Christmas Lights, Yakimow sends the Grods on an epic family road trip in their trusty camper, Ol’ Big Bluester. Leaving their cozy log cabin on Snaftar Lake behind, the Grods trade freezing cold in the Far-Off Territory of the North for warmer climates and a bustling tourist destination: UltraSuper KiddyKarnival. Their 12-day journey offers plenty of opportunity for new experiences, and the route is packed with scenic landscapes and fascinating wildlife.
If seeing bison and caribou (and even being greeted by a whale!) wasn’t exciting enough, the Grods encounter equally memorable people, including their favorite television chef, a hitchhiking raconteur, and The Magic Dragons, a musical trio from Unarainia. Each member of the Grod family plays a part in making this trip one to remember, from boisterous Papa and practical Mama to the three GrodKids, who embrace the adventure. Kathryn (known as Sis) has a milestone birthday, Tommie documents everything in sketchbooks and a travel journal, and baby Gordie— responding to all the unusual stimuli—makes his first words truly count. Yakimow grounds the Grods’ epic route in locales that will feel familiar, but he has immense fun with the place names, including Valley of the EverGreens and BigSmokeCity. He also emphasizes the pleasures of off-line travel to remind readers that creating individual memories and spending time with family are what’s important, not idealized social media posts. Illustrator Paul Schultz (along with artistic advisor John Yakimow) offers bold outlines and eye-popping color blocks that emphasize the solidarity of the Grods and captures their essential contentment. The Grods’ Verrry Long Road Trip transforms a routine vacation into a magical journey, and the key to their enjoyment is treating every experience with a sense of wonder. Takeaway: Low-budget road trip extolls the joys of family togetherness - BookLife 
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