Summer Reading 2013 Scaredy Squirrel Goes Camping

Have any of you gone on a trip this summer? Camping? To the beach? Maybe Disney World? In Scaredy Squirrel Goes Camping, Scaredy has to leave his nice, safe tree and make a trip. The Scaredy Squirrel stories are funny, but also point out some important truths. In this adventure, Scaredy needs to plug in an extension cord so he can watch a show about camping on TV, because actually going camping is too much bother. The way he over-prepares for everything applies to this trip, too. He plans his route, he thinks of all the dangers he may find, he packs important supplies... And things go wrong - of course! But Scaredy realizes that some things are worth the bother after all.

This is a great book to use as an example of planning a trip or project. There are all sorts of nonfiction text features within the book. Scaredy  uses lists, charts, maps, a schedule, a diagram, and captions appear on many items.

Scaredy Squirrel reminds me of other timid characters like Wemberly in Kevin Henkes' Wemberly Worried. If you like those sorts of stories (Disappearing Desmond and Shy Charles also come to mind), then you will probably enjoy Scaredy Squirrel Goes Camping.  The part where he is afraid there will be penguins in the woods if he goes camping  made me snort I laughed so hard.

If you want to learn more about Scaredy Squirrel, he has his own website and there is even a Scaredy Squirrel fan page on  FaceBook.