Have you ever spent a weekend cooking over a fire or a small propane-fueled stove? Snuggled up in sleeping bags while the sounds of the night air lulled you to slumber? Gazed into the jumping blue and orange sparks of a fire as the stars shined overheard? If you can answer yes to these questions, you just might be a camper! For camping families, the delight is magnified, because children can become enamored with the natural joy that comes from spending even one night outdoors. Anne Lee has a perfect grasp on this child perspective and she shares it in the picture book When You Are Camping.
Hazel and Tilly appear on the first page, peeking out of the flap on their family’s triangular tent as the rain drips down all around them. But there’s no sadness apparent here, for when you’re camping, “you can eat marshmallows for breakfast,” in your hot chocolate of course. The rain only adds to their camping experience as the two sisters don rain gear and play in the puddles and muddy woods. After the rain, the girls continue to revel in the joys of nature, watching for wildlife and insects, swimming in the river, and hiking in the woods. Sometimes the sisters are with their parents, and other times they enjoy the world around them on their own, refreshingly “free-range.”
And don’t forget the fun that comes once the sun goes down– campfires, lightning bugs, and dozing off in sleeping bags. All of it is here in this simple story that will appeal to young children for its gentle storytelling and soft-hued watercolor illustrations. Two of my children are in this book’s target age range, and with our own family camping trip fast approaching, this book has made its way into our reading rotation. Though we’ve only camped as a family three times so far, my children excitedly chat about our own experiences as we read When You Are Camping together. Perhaps it will get your children excited to become campers this summer, too!
This year’s camping trip will be the longest yet for Dawn’s family– five days of sleeping in a tent together (albeit on blow-up mattresses)– but everyone is absolutely excited. The post-trip details will likely appear on her blog, my thoughts exactly.
paige bacon says
This book looks really great. May I link to your review for my other blog http://outdoormama.tumblr.com?
Dawn says
That would be great, Paige! Thanks for visiting–
Anne says
So glad to read your review of When You Are Camping! I hope you, your family, and your readers enjoy many wonderful outdoor adventures!
Dawn says
Thanks for leaving a comment here, Anne! My children and I quite enjoy your book, and we did pack it our book bag when we went camping this summer!