Overview
Sam, Pam, Will and Jill are crocodile friends with a camping plan but not much know-how. They get lost on their way to the campsite, get attacked by a swarm of bees, get all mixed up while trying to assemble their tent, and then get so frightened by nighttime shadows that their campout is in danger of fizzing out.But all ends well, as it always does for this happygo- lucky crew. This is a breezy summer story that?s ?ideally pitched for prereaders or brand-new ones? (as Booklist said of its predecessor, Rainy Day!).
Editorials
Publishers Weekly
In the fourth book to feature the industrious crocodile family, Sam, Pam, Will and Jill decide to go on a camping trip. While they're well prepared-" 'Take maps,' said Sam. 'The packs,' said Pam"-something, invariably, goes wrong. Readers should appreciate their haphazard (but not too shabby) organizational skills and identify with the nighttime fright that sends them packing (" 'Who growled?' asked Will. 'Who yowled? asked Jill") as the crocs seek a more comforting place to camp. Ages 3-5. (June)
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Sam, Pam, Will, and Jill, the anthropomorphic crocodile friends of previous adventures, decide that camping out would be a good idea for some fun. With their maps, packs, lights, and tents, they drive, park, and set off on the trail. In terse verse and large type, they admire the birds, trees, and flowers, but are wary of the bees. After the tent is up, it is time to eat; but the beans that they eat cause a chorus of, "P.U.!" In the tent, a shadow in the dark frightens the friends. They end up camping safely and happily in the yard at home. The visual story is told in a variety of boxes, sometimes double-page scenes but mostly vignettes devoted to the single cartoon-like characters. This allows for sequences of simple rhymes to exploit their names. Bold, opaque colors fill the outlined figures produced in black pencil and Photoshop for this silly fun. Reviewer: Ken Marantz and Sylvia MarantzSchool Library Journal
PreS-Gr 1
The wacky crocodiles are back for another rollicking adventure. They head to the woods for an all-out summer camping trip that includes hiking, climbing, crossing a stream, bird watching, pitching a tent, enjoying nature, and a cookout. Songs and stories around the campfire complete a perfect day, until it's time to sleep. The dark tent and quiet amplify every noise in the woods, which creates anxieties as the mighty crocs spook themselves with one of their own shadows. All is not lost when they decide to finish their camping experience closer to home. Nash's humorous illustrations in black Prismacolor pencil and Photoshop are bright, colorful, and peppered with playful details that will delight young children. One amusing scene shows the group in "freeze!" mode when suddenly surrounded by a swarm of bees. Larkin's spare, rhyming text is just enough for a rousing storytime with a group of day campers or for sharing one-on-one. Pair this tale with Todd Parr's Otto Goes to Camp (Little, Brown, 2004) for an upbeat themed read.-Anne Beier, Hendrick Hudson Free Library, Montrose, NY