"Pack up your troubles in your old kit bag" and go camping!

The only camping I did as a kid was church camp. And that was in a cabin. I was in my early 20s before I actually went tent camping but I have loved it ever since! So this year I requested a tent for my birthday. We will be heading out to our very own back yard in a few weeks to watch the Perseids meteor shower from the comfort of our new tent. (It has a mesh roof.) The next trip is a little more intense - Wind Cave National park in South Dakota after Labor Day.

Since you may have some aspiring campers in your sphere of influence, I thought I would give you a list of ten books about camping for the younger set. Some are about backyard camping and some about summer camp but most are about camping out in the wild! I think almost all of them reference S'mores, though. Speaking of S'mores - have you heard of S'mOreos?  Yep - a S'more with an Oreo instead of a graham cracker. Or you can keep the graham cracker - your choice! YUM!

Bowwow Powwow = bagosenjige-niimi'idim / by Brenda J. Child; translated by Gordon Jourdain; illustrated by James Thunder (picture book)

Windy Girl is blessed with a vivid imagination. From Uncle she gathers stories of long-ago traditions, about dances and sharing and gratitude. Windy can tell such stories herself–about her dog, Itchy Boy, and the way he dances to request a treat and how he wriggles with joy in response to, well, just about everything.
When Uncle and Windy Girl and Itchy Boy attend a powwow, Windy watches the dancers in their jingle dresses and listens to the singers. She eats tasty food and joins family and friends around the campfire. Later, Windy falls asleep under the stars. Now Uncle's stories inspire other visions in her head: a bowwow powwow, where all the dancers are dogs. In these magical scenes, Windy sees veterans in a Grand Entry, and a visiting drum group, and traditional dancers, grass dancers, and jingle-dress dancers–all with telltale ears and paws and tails. All celebrating in song and dance. All attesting to the wonder of the powwow.

This playful story by Brenda Child is accompanied by a companion retelling in Ojibwe by Gordon Jourdain and brought to life by Jonathan Thunder's vibrant dreamscapes. 

Camp Tiger by Susan Choi; illustrated by John Rocco. (picture book)
Time for the last camping trip of the summer as the family (mom, dad, two brothers) heads toward their favorite camping spot on Mountain Pond. The younger brother is a bit worried about moving up from Kindergarten to 1st grade. He loved Kindergarten but 1st grade is a big unknown. Plus, mom is making him take more responsibility - and he isn't sure he wants to grow up. These doubts and fears, plus a longing for summer to never end, manifest into a small tiger that visits their campsite and talks to them. Everyone can see and interact with the tiger - it requests its own tent and goes fishing with them when they paddle in their canoe. But the family also seems to know that the tiger is not something to fear - just like changes that happen as you grow older. Camping week over, the family returns home but the young boy retains some of his tiger-ness as he gets ready to head to school the next day. I think kids will grasp this story more easily than some adults. If you like magical realism type stories, then you should enjoy this - just keep an open mind for all those tigers out there waiting to interact. 

A Campfire Tail by Sarah Glenn Marsh; illustrated by Ana Gómez ISBN -
9781454919933 (picture book)

Dragons should be great at camping - but this is dragon's first day at camp. And he's a little nervous. Fortunately, he finds a buddy to show him the ropes but -- things don't go so well during swimming. Or the puppet show... Will dragon ever get the hang of camping? Maybe - and he might even save the day!

I liked the play on words in the title Campfire TAIL but my library has it cataloged as Campfire TALE instead. So you might want to search for this one under the author or ISBN. 

Camping: A Mr. and Mrs. Green Adventure by Keith Baker (Beginning Reader - 24 pages)

Mr. and Mrs. Green want to go camping but Mr. Green is a bit anxious about being far away from home. So they camp in their own back yard! I enjoy all of the Mr. and Mrs. Green books - stories about an alligator couple.  The Camping Trip by Jennifer K. Mann  (graphic novel - 56 pages)

Ernestine (or E) has never been camping but she KNOWS she will love it. And she does - though there are some things that initially are not so great. For one thing - she misses her dad. And there are FISH in the lake where they are supposed to swim! EEK! But E learns a lot and by the end of the book, she can't wait to go camping again! This is a good introduction to graphic novels AND camping! A win-win for sure!

 

The Camping Trip by Jennifer K. Mann (graphic novel - 56 pages) 

 

Ernestine (or E) has never been camping but she KNOWS she will love it. And she does - though there are some things that initially are not so great. For one thing - she misses her dad. And there are FISH in the lake where they are supposed to swim! But E learns a lot and by the end of the book, she can't wait to go camping again! This is a nice introduction to what you might expect on a camping trip. And also a nice introduction to graphic novels. A win-win for sure.

 

Egg Marks the Spot (Skunk & Badger #2) by Amy Timberlake; illustrated by Jon Klassen - to be published on September 15, 2021. (chapter book - 160 pages)

Badger has a very special rock - an agate - that was stolen from him by a nasty, mean cousin when he was a much younger badger. Nostalgia for his purloined agate is interrupting Badger's Important Rock Work so - Skunk proposes a camping trip to find a replacement rock. Skunk has never been camping and his preparations are... a bit over the top. But camping does indeed happen. Along with adventures that include a cave, a dinosaur egg, the mean cousin, a few rats and some chickens. And maybe even a bear! Just as in the first story, important lessons are learned by both Skunk and Badger. I love these books and hope that Amy and Jon create many more in the series.

Fatima's Great Outdoors by Ambreen Tariq; illustrated by Stevie Lewis. (picture book)

Fatima Khazi is excited for the weekend. Her family is headed to a local state park for their first camping trip! The school week might not have gone as planned, but outdoors, Fatima can achieve anything. She sets up a tent with her father, builds a fire with her mother, and survives an eight-legged mutant spider (a daddy longlegs with an impressive shadow) with her sister. At the end of an adventurous day, the family snuggles inside one big tent, serenaded by the sounds of the forest. The thought of leaving the magic of the outdoors tugs at Fatima's heart, but her sister reminds her that they can keep the memory alive through stories--and they can always daydream about what their next camping trip will look like.
Ambreen Tariq's picture book debut, with cheerful illustrations by Stevie Lewis, is a rollicking family adventure, a love letter to the outdoors, and a reminder that public land belongs to all of us

Scaredy Squirrel Goes Camping by Melanie Watt (picture book but has a graphic novel feel to it)

Scaredy Squirrel is - unsurprisingly - afraid of camping. So he decides to play it safe and watch a television show about camping instead.  However, he quickly realizes will need electricity for this adventure to work - and the nearest outlet is in the local campground. Hmmm. Scaredy hatches a plan to quickly brave the great outdoors just long enough to plug in his television. Of course, things don't go quite the way he planned. And being outside isn't so bad after all! 

Summer Camp Critter Jitters by Jory John; illustrated by Liz Climo (picture book) 

The Critters are going to Summer Camp! They are - for the most party - nervous about what to expect. Will there be scary stories? (Skunk is not a fan.) Will they have to swim? (Duck never learned how!) And Rabbit has so much energy - how will he calm down at night?! Our friends arrive and discover they are all in the same cabin! Hooray! And their kitty cat counselor is stuck up in a tree! Oh no! But they work together to help their counselor. They have a great first day at camp but their first campfire has a few surprises. 

Tiny T. Rex and the Very Dark Dark by Jonathan Stutzman; illustrated by Jay Fleck. (Picture book)

Tiny T. Rex and his friend Pointy are a little worried about camping in the back yard. It is so dark! And there are so many noises! As Tiny says, "It is hard to be brave when you are scared of the Crawly-creeps." Not to mention the Grumbles and Nom-bies. But there is always light - you just have to look for it. 

 

 

Every year, the Texas Library Association creates a reading list for books aimed at kids in K-2nd grade. I usually try to read as many as I can and this year - I read them all!  Hooray for me! I've included my own reviews for some books; for others I have provided the publisher blurb. And I have highlighted my personal faves. So if you are looking for some great books, this list is a great place to start. I found all of these at my local library!

TLA'S 2021 2x2 Suggested Reading List

Boxitects by Kim Smith. Clarion Books.  

Meg goes to Maker School to hone her talent for building with boxes, but when Simone, another boxitect, arrives they become so competitive they nearly fail in the annual Maker Match. Be sure to have a few boxes on hand to build your own creation!

Every Night is Pizza Night by J. Kenji López-Alt. Illustrated by Gianna Ruggiero. W.W. Norton.  

Convinced that pizza is the best food, Pipo will eat nothing else until her fed-up parents send her on a quest to prove that no dishes in their multicultural neighborhood are better. Be prepared to order - or make - pizza after reading this one! Fortunately, it includes a pizza recipe.

Facts vs. Opinions vs. Robots by Michael Rex. Nancy Paulsen Books.  

Robots try to figure out the difference between facts and opinions. A cute introduction/reminder for this extremely important topic.

Federico and the Wolf, by Rebecca Gomez. Illustrated by Elisa Chavarri. Clarion Books.  

A modern retelling of Little Red Riding Hood in which Federico rides his bicycle to the market for Abuelo's groceries, then stands up to a hungry wolf. Includes a recipe for pico de gallo and glossary of Spanish terms.

First Day Critter Jitters by Jory John. Illustrated by Liz Climo. Dial Books for Young Readers.  

The animals are worried about the first day of school. Sloth is afraid that he won't get there on time. Parrot has a tendency to repeat things, and doesn't want to annoy anyone. Snake can't figure out how to carry a backpack. But when they get to class on the first day, the critters are all surprised to find out that they aren't the only jittery ones, and that it's easier and more fun to face new things when you do it together.

Hike by Pete Oswald. Candlewick Press.  

In the cool and quiet early light of morning, a father and child wake up. Today they're going on a hike. Follow the duo into the mountains as they witness the magic of the wilderness, overcome challenges, and play a small role in the survival of the forest. By the time they return home, they feel alive -- and closer than ever -- as they document their hike and take their place in family history. Wordless! 

I Am Every Good Thing by Derrick Barnes. Illustrated by Gordon C. James. Penguin. 

This upbeat, empowering, important picture book pays homage to the strength, character, and worth of a child.

Louis by Tom Lichtenheld. Illustrated by Julie Rowan-Zoch.  

Louis the bear has had enough. From day one, life has been one indignity after another. If he's not being used as a hankie, he's being hung out to dry--literally. (No one likes clothespins used on their ears!) This teddy is sneaking away just as soon as he can. Then again, no use running off in the rain . . .or during a show-and-tell routine. Maybe Louis has something to lose, after all.  It's adorable - and funny!

Packs – Strength in Numbers by Hannah Salyer. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. 

Out of all of these books, this was my least favorite. I appreciated the information on names for different groupings of animals -- herd for American bison; cloud for bats; and an implausibility of wildebeests, for example. And it is good to be reminded that there are endangered animals. And also that diversity is important. But I felt that the book couldn't really decide what it wanted to be. And I was very distracted by the smiling animals. What about the wildebeests? No smiles on the wildebeests, butterflies, ants, bees, or coral. But all of the other animals were drawn with smiling faces. And I'm not sure why....

A Polar Bear in the Snow by Mac Barnett. Art by Shawn Harris. Candlewick Press. 

Follow a magnificent polar bear through a fantastic world of snow and shockingly blue sea. Over the ice, through the water, past Arctic animals and even a human...where is he going? This book is fun AND filled with information!

See the Cat – Three Stories About a Dog by David LaRochelle. Illustrated by Mike Wohnoutka. Candlewick Press.  

What happens when the book gets it wrong? Max is not a cat-- Max is a dog! But much to his dismay, this book keeps instructing readers to "see the cat." How can Max get through to the book that he is a dog? This is a trio of stories for beginning readers that build to an immensely satisfying conclusion.

Shapes by Shelley Rotner and Anne Woodhull. Photographs by Shelley Rotner. Holiday House.  

Beautifully photographed, a diverse group of children explore the unexpected shapes of everyday sights and objects. So many shapes!
I really enjoyed this shape book. I liked that it included some information at the beginning about the importance of learning shapes - "Some studies suggest that seeing different shapes might help children see the different shapes of letters and numbers." This book does a great job of encouraging little ones and their parents to look for naturally occurring shapes.

Speak Up by Miranda Paul. Illustrated by Ebony Glenn. Clarion Books.  

You don't always have to use your voice to speak up. You can write it down, pick up trash, stand by a friend or make some art to show how you feel. Sometimes you do need to say something, though. If you make a mistake, say you are sorry. If a name or word is hard to pronounce, ask the person to help you pronounce it correctly. Don't tell lies. Don't spread false information. And if you know others are doing that, then try to find a way to show the truth. The book includes ideas on how to speak up - both using your voice and not using your voice. And it provides an example of how one kid speaking up made a difference.

The Three Billy Goats Buenos by Susan Middleton Elya. Illustrated by Miguel Ordóñez. G.P. Putnam’s Sons.   

A wonderful retelling of one of my favorite folktales - The Three Billy Goats Gruff - the book starts with a vocabulary list of Spanish words that the reader will encounter in the text. And then our story starts off with cabritos uno and dos tricking the troll into letting them cross. But goat number three wants to know WHY the troll is so grumpy. Observant readers will already know the answer - and the goats are quick to figure out a way to help.

Underground: Subway Systems Around the World by Uijung Kim. Cicada Books Ltd.  

An informative book with an element of play, Underground is a Where's Waldo type book for anyone who loves subways. In addition to the search and find, there are lots of facts about each of the subways listed. What's the busiest subway in Europe, for example? The busiest subway in the world? How about the largest subway? Also - there is a glossary included in the back of the book that provides a definition for all of the interesting items you are looking for! A Noh mask in Tokyo and a pretzel in New York, for example. I am glad this is on the 2x2 list. It might have gotten lost in the stacks but now kids and parents will have fun learning amazing subway facts!

Up on Bob by Mary Sullivan. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.  

It's hard work getting everything just right for a nap -- and then Someone has to come along and create a hiccup in the process... What's a Bob to do?

What About Worms!? by Ryan T. Higgins and Mo Willems. Hyperion Books for Children. I love Ryan T. Higgins' books. And I love Elephant & Piggie. So it's no surprise that I loved this book! Tiger is very afraid of worms. But what about the worms? Do you think they are afraid of Tiger? Or have they discovered an awesome way to deal with their fears?

What Do You Do If You Work at the Zoo? by Steve Jenkins and Robin Page. Illustrated by Steve Jenkins. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.  

Another winner for Steve Jenkins! Would you like to carry a joey around in a pouch for six months? Weigh a python? Count penguins? Or help a hyena cool off by feeding it a blood Popsicle? Those are just a few of the many things that zoo workers do every day. I especially liked that a timeline of zoos was included in the back along with a list of the world's best zoos. There was also information on how zoos are constantly changing and why they are important. And now I want to go volunteer at a zoo! Though I'd probably be assigned to shoveling poop - a VERY important job at the zoo! 

The Yawns Are Coming! by Christopher Eliopoulos. Dial Books for Young Readers. 

Two friends are having a sleepover. They plan to stay up all night and have a long list of all the things they are going to do. But then, out of nowhere -- the Yawns are there! They try to resist but eventually give in to the inevitable sleepies and snoozes. Most importantly? They wake up happy the next morning (because they actually slept) and create a new list of adventures.
Very cute - though I'm not sure it will convince the night owls that sleeping is more important than night-time adventuring. 

You Matter by Christian Robinson. Atheneum Books for Young Readers. 

Christian Robinson is an amazing children's book author and illustrator! In this full, bright, and beautiful picture book, many different perspectives around the world are deftly and empathetically explored--from a pair of bird-watchers to the pigeons they're feeding. Young readers will be drawn into the luminous illustrations inviting them to engage with the world in a new way and see how everyone is connected, and that everyone - and everything - matters.

 

 

 

 

 

Do you worry? Or - as I prefer to think of it -- are you someone who over thinks things? I am definitely one of those people. And the pandemic brought out the absolute worst of my worrying. But like Pig,  I have learned that everyone worries about things. And that friends and family can be very helpful in taming worries. Both of these books talk about worry and being afraid. And they are both wonderful.

What If, Pig? by Linzie Hunter

 published June 8, 2021

Pig is kind and caring and generous. He loves his friends so much - he decides to throw them a big party. Plans are made; invitations are sent; party goods purchased - BUT pig has a problem. He is a worrier. A "porky panicker" (I love that description!). And he lets his worries and fears overtake him. He is so worried that things won't be perfect - he runs and hides. Fortunately, Pig's friend Mouse is there to intervene. And with the help of friend Mouse (and other friends) Pig's joy is restored. He learns that everyone has fears, worries, and anxieties - and that he is not alone.

As this books demonstrates - everyone has worries - even our smallest and youngest friends. This book helps address those worries and find positive ways to help manage them.  

I don't think pigs in real life are worriers but there are a few memorable ones in literature! Pooh's dear friend, Piglet, is a bit of a worrier though more so in the Disney version than Milne's books. Wilbur, in Charlotte's Web, is definitely a worrier though, truth be told, he does have a few things to worry about. But one pig that is not much of a worrier?  Mercy Watson, created by Kate DiCamillo. 

Which brings us to...

Franklin Endicott and the Third Key 

by Kate DiCamillo; illustrated by Chris Van Dusen; 

published June 8, 2021. 

Tales from Deckawoo Drive #6

If you know me a tiny bit, you should know that I am a big fan of Kate DiCamillo. I love everything she writes and her latest installment from Deckawoo Drive (hint - Mercy Watson lives on Deckawoo Drive!) is no exception! A marvel! And - a bit of a mystery. 

Franklin Endicott is a worrier. In fact, he has a notebook where he records all of his worries. But then - he begins to have nightmares about these worrisome things. After researching nightmares, he thinks, "Wouldn't it be wonderful to have someone sit at the foot of your bed and eat your nightmares?". Wouldn't it? He borrows Mercy to see if she will eat his nightmares but you can imagine how that worked! 

Frank is good friends with Miss Eugenia Lincoln. He peruses her encyclopedias and shares warm milk with her on sleepless nights. One day, he accompanies her to Buddy Lamp's Used Goods store to have a key duplicated. A sign in the store window says KEYS MADE, SAWS SHARPENED, MYSTERIES CONSIDERED, USED ITEMS BOUGHT AND SOLD. This is how Kate DiCamillo describes Buddy Lamp - "He looked like someone made from a piece of paper that had been folded over and over again until it was creased and worn." Can't you just picture that! (If not, Chris Van Dusen's excellent illustrations will help!) On the way home, Frank discovers a mysterious third key has been included in the small envelop containing the original key and its duplicate. And thus the story unfolds - where did the key come from and what is its significance? A true mystery - and a bit worrisome! Can Frank discover where the missing key came from? And its purpose? Maybe.

Near the end of the story, we find Frank drinking hot milk with Miss Eugenia and "Frank thought how mysterious the world was, how unexplainable and sometimes frightening. But to sit in the kitchen and read to someone he loved and to push back the darkness with a story -- that was a wonderful thing." And this book is a wonderful thing. Be sure to share it with someone you love and push back the darkness in your own world. 

This book can be read on so many levels! In it, Kate introduces the reader to a collection of short stories which includes "The Last Leaf" by O. Henry; "The Door in the Wall" by H. G. Wells; and "Thank You, M'am" by Langston Hughes. You don't necessarily have to read them. And not every child that reads the book will be ready to read them. But they are marvelous stories, just like this book.

As for Frank's worries - with the help of his friends, Frank is able to turn his list of worries into a list of marvels. And that, my friends, is a fine thing indeed.