Three Books About Camp(ing) for Kids

Like I normally do when preparing for anything, I decided to buy TheBrothers some books as we got ready to leave for camp this year. You know me and books: love, love, love. I’ll come up with any excuse good reason to purchase books and add to our library. This year, I asked my twitter followers for some suggestions about camp books (and beach vacation books for our upcoming August trip). As per usual, twitter delivered some good answers. We also had one already in our library that we love. We found two more thanks to the suggestions. And, so, let us present:

Our Top Three Books About Camp(ing) for (Younger) Kids

One suggestion came from @spyderkl (blog): Fred and Ted Go Camping. It’s a Beginner Book (R) which is perfect for BigBrother who is just starting to read words like “up” and “on” by himself. It’s also a good book for LittleBrother because, as it is a beginning reader, it is not too long and therefore keeps his attention. (And, yes, LittleBrother handles paper pages just fine. Always has.) The sentences are short, to the point and easy to work your way through when you’re sounding out words. In this particular book, one of the dogs (Fred) takes too much stuff while the other (Ted) enjoys the ease of camping with the basics… until they lose all of their food. It’s a cute little reader and I’m glad to have added it to our library.

The other suggestion came from @musingsfromme (blog): P. J. Funnybunny Camps Out. I remember reading a P.J. Funnybunny book when I was learning to read so I bought it without hesitation. I’m glad I did. Not only is it great with its short sentences, big words and fun illustrations… but it’s funny, guys! I will admit that my Feminist Button was pushed when P.J. Funnybunny told his little sister, Honey Bunny, that “camping is not for girls.” As it was said again later, I began to wonder if I was going to let my boys read this book. But then, in the end, the girls stick it to the boys and I was pleased as punch. I also enjoy how, at the end, BigBrother and I got to discuss what really happened because the words didn’t come right out and say what went on. I love books that force some discussion. And ones that bring laughs!

The book we had in house thanks to Scholastic book orders through BigBrother’s preschool was: Froggy Goes to Camp. We love Froggy books. I am convinced that Froggy Plays T-ball is one reason that BigBrother was so excited and ready to play even before he set a foot on the field. This particular book has a few too many pranks for me but BigBrother finds it to be rather funny. In general, it shows Froggy having a good time at Camp Run-A-Muck despite being initially worried about the process.

We currently have these three books with us at camp (along with a big stack of general books). Our camp is different than some of these books depict (we sleep in a cottage, BigBrother goes to class, no campfires) but it’s always nice to have a book that sparks a discussion. No book will ever match your exact story, your exact situation or your exact camping trip. But books are good! Use them, read them.

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[Note: We are at camp, likely without internet access, through July 25th. I will most likely be unable to reply to any comments or email until that time. Do not take offense. I'm not ignoring you. Just enjoying some (much needed) quiet time with my family.]