How About Going for a Ride

by Stephen Gammell

Anyone who has ever taken a trip in the family car knows about backseat battles, but has there ever been a boundary war like this one? Road warriors of all ages will see themselves in this riotous picture book by Stephen Gammell

Genres: Picture Books, Fiction, Childrens, Art

32 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 2001

About the author

Caldecott winner US children's book illustrator.

Biography

Reviews

[Ms. B · Rating 3 out of 5]

You'll either be laughing or crying at the horrible behavior in this story of two siblings in the back seat during a car ride. Can they find a way to get along?

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

A genre-buster for older kids. Visually, it's a treat; the escalation of the backseat war into grade school insults and entirely unrealistic scenarios got laughs from my high school freshmen.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Colorfully exuberant pictures portray the "story" of two siblings who are at each other's throats during a family car ride. I think the kids are a bit over the top in their wild meanness--however for some reason I thought that "no fair throwing the car seats" was a funny line. I hoped the kids could have reconciled at some point, but they don't. I have mixed feelings about this book--it's both funny and not-so-funny at the same time. Read through it before giving it to your kids.

[Kristie Oke · Rating 5 out of 5]

What I loved most about this book were the illustrations and the creativity. The brother and sister did not get along, but the color that exploded from each page and the verbals jousting was entertaining and innovative. This book could be used as a way to teach art as a form of anger management or a way to cope with emotions.

[Kit · Rating 2 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations. Horrible text.

[Felicia Goodwin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't think this book was great. However, it could be used to talk about long car rides and people's different feelings about these rides.

[Rusty Gregory · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Come on kids let's go."

Stylistically and expressively fun! The text is simple as it becomes part of the illustrations.

[Sandy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Story got one star, the art got it a second. Too much anger.

[R.L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book brought back those memories of riding with my brother in the back seat. He'd hit me. I'd yell. I got in trouble. But this book's illustrations say it all. Love it.