A Camping Spree With Mr. Magee [Hardcover]

Chris Van Dusen (Author)

Book Description

Grade Level: P and up | Series: Mr. McGee

Mr. Magee and his trusty dog, Dee, are enjoying a peaceful camping trip when all of a sudden they find themselves plunging down a mountain and teetering on the edge of a huge waterfall! How will they find their way out of this slippery situation? Chris Van Dusen, the creator of Down to the Sea with Mr. Magee, has filled this new adventure with charming illustrations and a playful, rhyming text. A fun read-aloud for children (and adults!) on campouts or snuggling at home!

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Chris Van Dusen has created illustrations that have been published in magazines and books and printed on T-shirts and greeting cards. He lives in Maine with his wife, two sons and, naturally a dog.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 36 pages
• Publisher: Chronicle Books (May 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0811836037
• ISBN-13: 978-0811836036
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 7.6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #11,046 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 4 1/2* No One Does it Like Van Dusen!, December 15, 2004

By 

M. Allen Greenbaum (California) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: A Camping Spree With Mr. Magee (Hardcover)

When I read Chris Van Dusen's other book in this series "Down to the Sea with Mr. Magee," I was completely amazed. His super-detailed work, vivid gouache colors, and multiple perspectives just jumped off the page. There was a 50's retro style and setting, and a magical realism that recalls the best of Pixar animation. Much of that is evident in the sequel, "A Camping Spree with Mr. Magee," including the super-realism, and the bold colors and perspectives, but it doesn't quite match up with the first book.

I think that Van Dusen's visuals work especially well when he's illustrating light, water, and various shades of blue; the ocean surfaces of `Down to the Sea..' offers more of these visuals than the mountain setting here. However, when we see a glimpse of the ocean, or the metallic/rubber looking Rambler (yes, it really looks like a combination of a 1950's toy with some kind of hard rubber coating!) in which he and his dog Dee drive up to the mountains, that astonishingly fresh retro-style triumphs. However, there are fewer of these views here, and Magee does not linger long enough before the trip for us to view van Dusen's 1950's-inspired depictions of their home and quaint village.

Still, Van Dusen is one of the most original illustrator/writes working these days, and it's a treat to find this second "Magee" tale. While I was somewhat spoiled by the magical pictures in the first book, this one probably has a more exciting story, and there are enough Dusen-style pictures to keep you riveted. This is a fun all-rhyming story that quickly engages the reader. A comically drawn big black bear unhitches their trailer (inside of which Magee and dog are sleeping inside it) while going after a bag of marshmallows: The excitement begins as the trailer "flew down the road in a wild, bumpy ride, with DEE and MAGEE sleeping soundly inside." They're heading for a waterfall, but fortunately, "their camper got stuck on a rock at the ledge." You may notice (in this and other scenes) how superbly van Dusen captures the colors of the river, and adds excitement by using different vantage points.

Of course, the bear inadvertently rescues them, and there's a home sweet home last page. Definitely worth your time, although I would give the edge to "Down to the Sea with Mr. Magee." Let's hope we see a lot more from this very enjoyable and original talent.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A really fun book, August 23, 2004

By 

skoynk (New Hampshire, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Camping Spree With Mr. Magee (Hardcover)

I don't know who likes this book best, my 2 1/2 year old, my 5 year old, or me. The colorful story, written in a fun to read rhyme, details a camping trip that is complicated by a marshmallow eating bear, a runaway camper, and a brush with disaster. The pictures are fabulous. The details of the interior of the camper bring back memories of staying in an AirStream as a kid and the drawing of the the camper perched precariously at the top of a water fall actually makes me dizzy! The ending is perfect, as all children can relate to the comfort of simply camping in your own back yard. We've had this book for about a year now, and we still read it often. It is now time for me to buy another of Van Dusen's books.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars You can't help but love Mr. McGee!, December 1, 2005

By 

Gary's Mom "Mom" (Spencer, MA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Camping Spree With Mr. Magee (Hardcover)

We were at the Public Market in Portland, Maine during the summer of 2004, where Chris van Dusen was signing copies of this book. Since we spend the summer camping, we bought the book for our son who was 2 years old at the time. We all fell in love with the story, the pictures and Mr. McGee immediatly; and 1 1/2 years later it is still among our favorites! Santa will be bringing Down at the Sea with Mr. McGee this year and I am sure it will quickly become a regular in our reading rotation! I highly recommend this story for kids of all ages!