Bailey Goes Camping [Paperback]

Kevin Henkes (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 3 and up | Grade Level: P and up

Bruce and Betty were going camping. Bailey had to stay home. "You're too little," said his brother. "You can go in a few years," said his sister. But Bailey didn't want to wait. And, with the help of Mama and Papa, Bailey went camping right where he was!

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Baily doesn't get to go on the trip with his older brother and sister, but discovers that some of camping's pleasures can be had at home. Ages 2-6.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal

PreS Bailey's Bunny Scout brother and sister are going camping, but he is too young to go with them. Although they tell him that fishing, sleeping in a tent, eating hot dogs and toasting marshmallows isn't that great, Bailey is not to be comforted until Mother suggests that he can do all the camp things right at homewhich he does. The pale blues, grays, purples and soft yellows of the watercolor and pencil drawings are a soothing complement to the quiet text. Illustrations are bordered and centered; text appears opposite or below the artwork. The rabbits, who show human expressions, are drawn in a simple cartoon style, with human clothing and household accoutrements. An enjoyable read-aloud book for small preschool groups or before bedtime.Dawna Lisa Buchanan-Berrigan, College of Education, Ohio State University, Columbus
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 3 and up
  
• Paperback: 24 pages
• Publisher: Greenwillow Books (April 24, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0688152880
• ISBN-13: 978-0688152888
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 7.4 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #575,998 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Kevin Henkes is the creator of many distinguished books for children, including Kitten's First Full Moon (winner of the Caldecott Medal), Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse, and Chrysanthemum. His novels for young people include Olive's Ocean (a Newbery Honor Book) and Bird Lake Moon.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Wonderful Book for Toddlers, December 21, 1999

By 

Dawn Woolcott (Vancouver WA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Bailey Goes Camping (Paperback)

The story of a little brother who is too young to do all the fun things his older brother and sister get to do, so his parents create a special day just for him. The wonderful illustrations and simple story are enough to make any little child love this book. Camping indoors is fun for any age, but especially for a little boy bunny who gets to do all the things his older siblings get to do. Beware! You may have to recreate the fun of camping indoors for any toddler who has this book read to them. Oh well, there are worse things! Great book!

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Get ready to pitch that indoor tent!!!, March 4, 2002

By 

David J. Gannon (San Antonio, TX USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Bailey Goes Camping (Paperback)

Bailey's older siblings are off on a camping trip, but Bailey's too young to go. What to do? Why, have an indoor camping adventure, of course.

This simple, sweet, warm, loving story will really appeal to younger children. The illustrations are wonderful, the text is straightforward and the situations ring genuinely true. This is the sort of tale that leaves a fond smile on everyone's face. Be advised, however, after reading it you'll likely be looking for an old blanket to thrust into tent duty fot the afternoon!

Do your whole family a favor and go camping with Bailey!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Powerful Leporidae Positive Parenting, August 9, 2006

By 

My Uncle Stu (Atlanta) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Bailey Goes Camping (Paperback)

Bruce and Betty, the older siblings of a young rabbit named Bailey, are off to camp, but Bailey, a couple years too young, has to stay at home with Mama and Papa Rabbit. In either a malicious sibling taunting, or more likely just a case of youthful empathic failure, Bruce tells Bailey not to feel bad: "It's not that great. All we do is eat hot dogs and live in a tent and go swimming and fishing and hunt for bears and tell ghost stories and fall asleep under the stars." Betty chimes in, reminding Bruce that they also roast marshmallows.

Bailey protests with that phrase that parents learn to hate, "It's not fair." And we see him, crestfallen, watching his brother and sister leave, as a gentle summer breeze blows the dandelions around him. Heartbreaking. Classic Henkes. I never think Henkes will pull his characters out of the mess he creates, but he always comes through in the end, and this book is no exception. Just like the new one, Lilly's Big Day, I started reading it outloud and couldn't imagine a non-traumatic ending, but Kevin Henkes has some serious story-telling dexterity.

Mama and Papa rabbit decide to pamper their youngest rabbit by creating a camp in their home. He gets to eat hot dogs. His parents construct a little mock tent for him.We seem the rabbit swimming and fishing in the bathtub. He pretends to hunt bears with a toy gun, not sure that's necessary, but whatever. Then telling ghost stories and roasting marshmallows. Good stuff. A nice example of creative parenting coming to the rescue. The kind of creative parenting solutions- I'm not always great at thinking of them at the moment- that involve turning problems into a game, using play to resolve a problem, and giving a kid a little extra love and attention when they need it.

Good stuff.