In this sequel to Loon Lake Fishing Derby, Kathleen Cook Waldron takes young readers on another madcap adventure with the same four animal friends: a squirrel, salamander, mouse, and turtle. On a hot summer day, Wally, Robyn, Justin, and Nobu look for a way to cool off. Wally leads them to what looks like a perfect playground. Nobu knows they’re on a golf course, but he can’t stop his friends from splashing in the pond and playing in the sand. When a golfing foursome arrive, the friends are told to leave. But before they go, a golfer suggests the trespassers be useful by fishing a missing golfball out of the pond. The friends happily rescue balls from the pond, and get paid a quarter each, earning enough money to buy ice cream cones all around.

Lively and energetic, the watercolour illustrations by Dean Griffiths are reminiscent of Beatrix Potter. The palette is more delicate than the first book’s and the characters have also evolved, appearing friendlier and more animated.

Rough Day at Loon Lake is fun to look at and fun to read.Waldron uses some sophisticated wordplay on golf language to create an original story whose humour will be best appreciated if there are golfers in the family.