big sister and big ben

Betsy wanted to go to London, but she didn’t want to go alone, so she called up her little brother Bones to see if he wanted to go with her. He agreed. Bones loves an adventure, and he was all in. He packed up his bags, and met Betsy at Piccadilly Circus in London. They made it to England, and they were ready for their trip.

Betsy had planned out all the places she wanted to go and made a schedule for them. But Bones didn’t want to wait. He jumped on a double-decker bus to see the city. Betsy tried to tell him that the bus ride wasn’t on her schedule for that day, but Bones wouldn’t listen, so Betsy jumped on the bus with him.

Even through Bones wouldn’t follow his sister’s plans, they still manage to see the London Eye, the Thames, and the Tower of London. Because Bones is goofing off around the Crown Jewels, they get in trouble with the Tower Guards and have to hide in a closet. They end up in the basement, where they end up making a friend who helps them get back to London.

But Betsy is upset with Bones. He is ruining the trip she had spent so much time planning. So she decides that they should go their separate ways for the rest of the trip. Then he can run off and have his adventures, and she can stick to her plan.

Betsy updates her plan to make sure she sees the things she came to London to see. But it’s just not as fun without Bones. And when her map blows out of her hands, and she runs after it, she ends up running after it, she runs into Bones. Only, he’s hanging upside down from London Bridge. And when she tries to pull him back up, she ends up going over the side and hanging off the Bridge with Bones. She finds a way to forgive him, but they still have to figure out how to get off the bridge to finish their trip and get home safely.

On the Loose in London! is a fun-filled story of siblings on vacation and all the challenges that entails. It’s written in the style of a graphic novel, so there are lots of large illustrations throughout. It’s broken up into chapters, so older readers who are struggling can use the art to help them understand the words, and younger readers who are ready for chapter books can use this as an introduction.

The illustrations are colorful and informative, and the story is a lot of fun. There is a lot of London action packed into this short book, so readers get an introduction to some of the places and history of the city while enjoying Betsy and Bones being siblings. I really enjoyed this book, and I can see how it would hold the attention of young readers, and it would be great for kids who are interested in travel or about to take a trip to London.

Egalleys for On the Loose in London! were provided by Simon Spotlight from NetGalley, with many thanks, but the opinions are mine.