The mere mention of camping and my skin crawls with the invisible legs of a million non-existent insects. I cringe at the thought of sleeping in a tent or any structure with walls that aren’t a few inches thick and that doesn’t have a door with a lock. And sleeping in a zippered bag on the ground…sorry, not happening.
Yes. I have experienced camping. The first time was back in Jr. high during a freak thunderstorm. Strangely, only my side of the tent lacked waterproofing. So, while my tent mates lay snoozing, I sat up all night, hovering my jacket over my head like a useless umbrella. A few years later, another camping trip came up at school. This time, parents were invited, and everyone was expected to bring a tent or a camper (if they had one). My family had neither, so we broke camp in our jeep. At bedtime, my sister claimed the front seat, and I slept in the back with my dad with the hatch open to accommodate his long legs. The next morning, I counted over 60 mosquito bites. No, not on all three of us. Just scattered over me like a blast of confetti on New Year’s Eve. Then, years and years later, my husband found a place to camp where we could stay in a rustic cabin. Hmmm. A real bed, sturdy walls, and a door that locks, you say? Yes! I can do this.
“Wait. You’re saying rustic means no place to plug in my hairdryer???”
Honestly, I’ve tried to love camping, and I understand the lure of sleeping in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by nature, but after several tries, I’ve concluded that the most ideal way for me to camp is in a hotel (in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by nature).
“Room service? Could you please send a bowl of strawberries and cream up to room #349? Thank you.”
Now that I’ve aired my feelings about camping with you, I am thrilled to share a picture book that stars a squirrel who feels very much as I do about this well-loved, outdoor activity. Please welcome, Scaredy Squirrel!
Title – Scaredy Squirrel Goes Camping
Written and illustrated by – Melanie Watts
Published by – Kids Can Press – 2013
Suitable for ages – 3-7
Topics – Camping, expectations, fears, conquering fears.
Opening – Scaredy Squirrel never goes camping. He’d rather be comfortable inside than risk going out in the rugged wilderness. Besides, setting up camp seems like a lot of trouble.
Amazon Review – View it HERE. Scaredy Squirrel is not too comfortable with the idea of camping … unless it’s on his couch! There will be no mosquitoes, skunks or zippers to worry about when he watches a show about the joys of camping on his brand-new TV. But first Scaredy must find an electrical outlet, and that means going into the woods! Will the nutty worrywart’s plans prepare him for the great outdoors, or will his adventure end up as a scary story told around the campfire?
Why do I like this book? Scaredy Squirrel is nervous about this new experience of camping. In fact, he’s so afraid, he brings along a television with plans of watching nature from the safety of his tree. But, one small problem surfaces… In nature, there aren’t any outlets. (Sound like someone you know?) After packing his survival supplies and getting into his protective, wilderness outfit, he treks out to the camping grounds in search of an outlet. armed with all his protective gear, supplies, plans, and maps – he goes on a trek to the nearby camping ground to find electrical outlets. As luck would have it, something unexpected happens. You’ll have to check out this book to find out what. With simple, adorable, and humorous illustrations, this Scaredy Squirrel book is a cover to cover winner!
Want to learn a little more about Melanie Watt? Click HERE.
Sorry about your bad experiences, but they are fodder for a great book!
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Julie, great minds think alike. I’m already working on a middle-grade novel based off of my memorable camping trips. Oddly, or rather not so oddly, the main character doesn’t like camping…
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Ha!
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I can totally relate to your camping experiences! I’m not a fan either. I do however love all the Scaredy Squirrel books. They’re popular with the six year old set, too:)
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I’m also a fan of the Scaredy Squirrel books. I know I’m guaranteed a good laugh with each book.
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I’m a fan of Scaredy Squirrel. This looks like a great one!
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If you like the other Scaredy Squirrel books, you’re sure to love this one.
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I was psyched about camping as a Girl Scout until I encountered a stomach-churning latrine…
Now I’d much rather read books about camping!
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Agree. The latrine can turn many a stomach. And, if you like books about camping, especially books in which the main character feels a lot like we do about this outdoor activity, you’ll love this book.
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Oh, this is hilarious! I love certain aspects of camping, but others I can do without. But we go and always have a good time. I just have to get over the prep and cleanup. Oh, and the mosquitoes. We camped through Southern Africa and had to take anti-malarial medication that gives you crazy dreams and a bit of GI distress. Not great when you’re in the bush. 😀
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I heard about the anti-malaria medicine for African vacations, but I didn’t know about the crazy dreams that come with it or the GI distress. Maybe, I should consider watching a DVD about Africa instead of visiting. Although, I’m sure seeing that amazing country outweighed all else. (?)
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Although I love watching documentaries about various countries in Africa, I’ve got to say that there’s nothing like being there. And depending on where you go, you often don’t need to take anti-malarials. But we were heading into the bush, and in many cases into areas where malaria was endemic. The side effects of the anti-malarials lasted only a day or two after taking them. We were there for a little over two months, so we really needed them.
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I’m in your “camp”, Leslie! My idea of rustic is a romp through an urban park! Fun choice of PPB as we head towards summer!
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Ah, you’re a girl after my own heart. As much as I LOVE nature and taking long day hikes with my hubby, daughter, and camera, the overnight part is something I’d rather pass on.
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Great cover! This sounds like a fun summer read for kids. This is a first class squirrel. Wish we could have seen his digs. I’m with you and camping. I did fine as a child, but not as an adult.
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I guess when it comes down to it, I need certain comforts that I can find in a tent. I have to say that the end of the book came as a nice surprise/twist, one I won’t spoil for you. Scaredy Squirrel is my kind of squirrel.
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I am a Sacredy Squirrel fan and LOVE camping unless the weather is very inclement. I love his outfit as I started my camping when I was a venture scout.
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I have a feeling that most of your camping memories are good ones. I wish I had some of those. Unfortunately, all three times I tried to like camping, too many things went awry. I do, however, love a good hike in nature.
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I’ll have to reread the Scaredy Squirrel books. This one sounds like fun. I LOVE camping! Done it all my life and still doing it. My first adventure was when my mother was pregnant with me and she climbed Half Dome in Yosemite. Spent many, many years camping from Southern CA all the way to Canada. My folks founded and owned a summer day camp, so I grew up in the great outdoors – latrines and all! Last year it was the Oregon Country Faire – good times. But I can’t wait to read your camping novel! Thanks for sharing!
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Jill, I sooooo wish I had ONE good camping memory, but when all three went sour, I couldn’t bring myself to try again. I do love hiking and photographing out in nature, and I’m impressed with your mom climbing Half Dome when she was pregnant with you. She sounds like a remarkable woman (just like her daughter).
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Ain’t you sweet. I’m glad you enjoy hiking and photographing. My mom is now 86 yrs. old and she just never stops. She can run circles around me! Going to Santa Barbara tomorrow and will be staying with her for a few days. Be back soon!
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Ah, the memories of childhood camping! I’m fortunate to have good memories, even though I never really got ‘into’ the tent and the animal sounds at night. :–0 Great post. So glad I finally found you!
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Hi, Pamela, I just popped over to your blog, loved it, and signed up to follow your posts. I’m glad you have good camping memories. I’m often tempted to try camping one more time with the hope that the fourth attempt brings luck, less rain, and a dry sleeping bag.
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