Title: Monster & Mouse Go Camping
Written by: Deborah Underwood
Illustrated by: Jared Champman
Publisher: HMH, June 2018
Ages: 4-8
Themes: camping, friendship, adventure, monsters, mice, acceptance, resourcefulness.
Opening:
Monster was having a snack when Mouse burst through the front door.
“Let’s go camping,” she said.
What’s camping?” Monster asked.
“Camping is great!” Mouse said. “You walk in the woods. You sleep in a tent. You tell spooky stories.”
Synopsis:
It takes a little convincing, but with the promise of food, Monster decides to join Mouse on a camping trip. Things quickly go awry when Mouse takes off to explore, because, well, Monster gets hungry. He starts with just a little snack—the lantern. And the sleeping bags are hard to resist. Then the tent . . .
Stranded in the wild with no supplies, what are a monster and a mouse to do?
Why I like this book:
Mouse, she is bold, and Monster is a somewhat less adventurous guy but willing to try anything pretty much as long as food is involved. This is a laugh-out-loud story with a sweet “aw” moment of reciprocity in the middle and a completely satisfying fun ending that will make you want to pack your bags for your next camping trip in the woods.
It’s a great story about friendship, adventure, acceptance and resourcefulness with lovely bold illustrations, especially of nighttime in the woods. This is a great read-aloud to kick off summer.
Activities/resources:
Have students recount any camping adventures they have had, and maybe combine a list together of camping essentials for a trip!
Check out this interview I did with the author a couple of years ago.
The National Park Service has some great camping tips here.
Each week a group of bloggers reviews picture books we feel would make great educational reads. To help teachers, caregivers and parents, we have included resources and/or activities with each of our reviews. A complete list of the thousands of books we have reviewed can be found sorted alphabetically and by topics, here on Susanna Leonard Hill’s website.
In my 20's, with only my guitar and a rucksack, I wandered the continents, immersing myself in the lives of some wonderful people, projects and stories, which changed the way I view my responsibility to others and this earth. Right now I'm a European transplant in the US who writes books for children and young adults. Stories can help us not only navigate our world but can connect us to others, and allow us to inspire and help each other. I believe that equity and empathy should be at the core of our all actions, words, and stories.
I am also a school librarian and I get a kick out of book-matchmaking! And I use the pronouns she/her.
I love Deborah’s books! Gotta put this one on my TBR pile!
What a perfect summer read! It sounds hilarious! Didn’t know Deborah had a new book out. Will have to check it out!