How to Camp Like a Pro

November 1, 2014

Gr 4 Up-These short books offer plenty of interesting and kid-friendly facts, including directions for how to rescue someone who falls in the water using the "Reach-Throw-Row-Go" method. Colorful photos, along with sidebars, enliven the text. Unfortunately, these books are often marred by awkward writing, as in "Choosing to leave one's house to recreate and sleep outdoors is the essence of camping." Though each title offers a table of contents, organization is also poor. There's an emphasis on safety and preparedness, including necessary equipment and supplies, but the text is bogged down with repetitive, wordy descriptions. Bowlines and sheet bend knots are useful for boaters, but the instructions without illustrations or graphics are confusing and vague. "The Great Outdoors" (Child's World, 2015) and "Adventures in the Great Outdoors" (Windmill, 2014) are better, though written for younger readers. These are marginal selections where the topics are popular.

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