Book Review: When You Are Camping

What happens when a children’s librarian turned mom tries unsuccessfully to find a book to share with her own young kids about the joys of family camping? She writes her own. At least that’s what Anne Lee set out to do when she wrote When You Are Camping.

When You Are Camping ($14.99) is a 32-page picture book geared toward preschoolers and beginning readers (ages 3 to 7). It centers on the story of two sisters exploring nature while on a camping trip with their parents.

The book also features Lee’s watercolor illustrations, which hold a magic all their own. Doesn’t this walk in the rain look fun?

Summary
The story centers around two sisters – Tilly and Hazel – who are camping with their parents. They spend their time enjoying bugs, frogs, other animals and nature walks – even rain!

Our Opinions
The Little Explorer: I like the girls [Tilly and Hazel, that is], I like camping and I like the tent.

The Big Explorer: It’s a good short book and the pictures are cool.

Mom: Two very different sisters each find joy in nature, albeit in very different ways. Now that’s something I can relate to! We had fun not only reading the story and looking at the pictures, but also talking about our own camping memories.

“Hazel and Tilly get to eat marshmallows for breakfast when they go camping. Why don’t we?” – The Little Explorer

“The girls get to see fireflies. We haven't. But remember all those stars we saw when we went camping at Lava Beds National Monument?” – Mom

Never been camping? No worries! When You Are Camping can help prepare kids for the types of adventures they might enjoy when they finally do get to go.

Note: I received a free copy of When You Are Camping in exchange for providing my honest review with you. Read my full disclosure policy for more information.