I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Honestly, I struggled a little with this book. While well-written, and accompanied by beautiful art, I struggled with the way the message seemed to override the child's feelings in the book. I get the importance of the message that there are going to be challenges in life - and I understand that very well from my own life - and that learning to push through when things get tough is important. Yet, I also think that's a detrimental outlook. One we already see has left a damaging impact on society for generations upon generations.

There were so many moments where this child was having totally understandable feelings about things yet it felt like the two adults in his life - his mothers who are supposed to bring comfort - are just pushing aside his feelings in the name of "you'll like this, we promise" and having experienced stuff like that as a kid myself, it did not make me like it. There were moments where recognizing he is a child they could have let him rest after a little bit while they finished the rest of the work and still the lessons could've been taught just in a better way. Also, like, this trip is what they chose as a first camping trip to introduce this child - who is still learning how to handle big emotions - and still couldn't be easier on him throughout it all.

I don't know, I think the main message here overshadows a more important one, and I don't really like that choice. This isn't a book I'd choose to read to a child given that factor, and I'd say that if a parent does choose to read this book to their child, I hope that they take the time to recognize this issue and handle it better than the book did itself.