When We Go Camping

In this beautifully illustrated book, one busy family finds lots to do from sun up to sunset. At the campsite, there’s wood to chop for the fire and fish to catch. And there’s lots of time to explore, climb rocks, splash in the lake, and discover animals in the shadows of the woods. As afternoon turns to evening, supper needs to be made, and just before bed, stories are told around the campfire.

When We Go Camping is as instructional as it is delightful. Each painting highlights the tracks of one animal, which curve from the text into the illustration. Readers can turn to the glossary for more details about the wildlife depicted on each page.

When We Go Camping is a perfect way to preserve summer memories all year long.


From the Hardcover edition.

Children's Literature

Woodland creatures of all kinds greet young readers throughout the pages of this beautifully illustrated picture book about one family's camping experience. In the early morning, the young campers are awakened by the chickadees and squirrels as they plan to set off in a canoe to explore the pristine lake. Later in the day fish are caught and wood is chopped for a campfire. Afternoon adventures find beavers at work in the woods. A hike is a good time to listen for the creatures of the forest. The deer, elk and cougar may be close by, so hikers must be very quiet. Water bugs are found in the blue lake where the young hikers cool off. Berries are carefully gathered, as well as firewood to cook the evening meal of lake trout. As night creeps slowly across the lake, the owls hoot and the family has a good time around the campfire. The paintings by Kiss are the perfect companion to the simple and warm story about the love of nature and family. A legend at the end of the book beckons readers to find a squirrel on each page; the footprints of various woodland animals are included with a paragraph about each one. 2001, Tundra Books, $14.95. Ages 4 to 8. Reviewer: Sue Reichard

Margriet Ruurs is the author of many books for children, including Wild Babies and A Mountain Alphabet. She has a Masters Degree in Education and has spent her adult life both writing books for children and teaching children about books. She has spent a great deal of time hiking and camping in the mountains and traveling. Margriet Ruurs has lived across North America, and now makes her home in Oregon.

Andrew Kiss came to Canada from Hungary in 1957. He grew up in Vancouver, where he taught himself how to paint. He paints wildlife and landscapes and has spent much of his life traveling the world to see his subjects in their native habitats. Andrew Kiss’s work has been exhibited across North America and Europe.


From the Hardcover edition.