Search - Camper Kim (Hooked on Phonics, Bk 22)

ISBN 1887942432 - Because I just finished ISBN 1887942424 Whacky Jack (Hooked on Phonics, Book 21) by the same author and illustrator, I was expecting a girly version of the same basic story. I'm very glad that the book didn't meet that expectation.

Dad wants to go camping, but Mom says she'll stay home. Kim wants to go along, but her brother Tim doesn't think she's not big enough. Dad decides that Kim can go and they're off. Despite huffing and puffing the entire way to the campsite, Kim isn't tired enough to nap when they arrive, so while the others sleep, she and some new forest friends set up camp. Tim and Dad wake up to find that all the hard work has been done and that Kim really is a good camper.

What a nice, positive story. Girls can do anything, little kids can do anything, never underestimate anyone - pick your message! Jonathan London tells a story that, despite being a mere 24 pages, manages to take a surprise turn, something I never see in books for such young readers. Doug Cushman's illustrations are superb. They're bright, colorful, and fun. These guys are a pair I'd like to see more from.

- AnnaLovesBooks

A little bunny, named Kim, gets to go camping with her Dad and big brother. She huffs and puffs the whole hiking trip up to the campsite. When her father and brother and napping, she decides to set up camp. She enlists the help of several animals by asking politely, and suprises her Dad and brother by having camp ready when they awake.
I think anyone learning to read will enjoy this book. My kids thought it was a 'big boy/girl' book because it was thicker than their picture books. My daughter enjoyed it more, probably because it's about a girl (bunny).