Just Me and My Dad (Little Critter) [Paperback]

Mercer Mayer (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Release date: March 2, 2001 | Age Range: 3 - 7 years | Lexile Measure: 480L (What's this?)

This well-loved Little Critter picture book has become a modern classic. It's the tale of a father-and-son camping trip filled with Little Critter's mistakes and good intentions. In spite of difficulties, however, the happy father and son manage to put up their tent, catch fish for dinner, and sleep beneath the stars. In spite of minimal text, the story is full and rich, with endearing illustrations from start to finish.

Product Details

• Age Range: 3 - 7 years
  
• Paperback: 24 pages
• Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers (March 2, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0307118398
• ISBN-13: 978-0307118394
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 0.1 x 7.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (95 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #165 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #3 in Books > Children's Books > Social Situations > Family Life
  • #7 in Books > Children's Books > Humor

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 27 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Father's Day Gift for Dads Who Like to Camp! June 1, 2001

By Donald Mitchell HALL OF FAMETOP 100 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback

The Little Critters in the book are a cross between trolls, bears, and porcupines . . . and they certainly are humorous to consider. This book is perfect for the 2-5 year old set. As your child gets older, this book will also make a good beginning reader. The idea of going camping alone with Dad will be encouraged by the story (especially if you reassure your child that bears are unlikely to take her or his fish). While many people would assume this is about a father and son, there is no language to say so. Only the blue overalls give any hint of sex, so I think the book will work well for daughters.

The story involves a camping trip. Mom waves goodbye, and the father and child are off. The father lets the child participate in as many ways as possible, even though it doesn't always work out. For example, the spot the child picks out to camp on turns out to be occupied by a porcupine and a snake!

The high point of the trip is when the child catches a fish. Dad takes a picture, and the child starts to cook the fish. Then the bear comes and snatches the fish out of the frying pan! I know from our children that fishing seems to provide endless fascination at this age. We always taught our children to carefully release the fish. Eating them is good too.

The book ends with "We slept in our tent all night long -- just me and my dad." At these ages, children are not always eager to do things without Mom. But Mom needs a break sometimes, and many Dads love to do a little direct bonding which this book will encourage.

The illustrations are bright, lovingly detailed, and humorous in as many ways as possible. They are rendered in either gouache or water color. I couldn't quite tell which medium was used....

Of special note are a tiny cricket or grasshopper and a spider that humorously accompany the father and child. This illustrated story within a story is worth the price of the book alone. Small children will naturally gravitate towards these little creatures and want to point them out with their tiny fingers.

Make wonderful laughing connections with this book!

After your child is comfortable with it, I suggest that you plan a little camping trip to find out how your child likes the actual experience. Naturally, some fishing might be in order!

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11 of 11 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Just Me and My Dad November 13, 2003

A Kid's Review

Format:Paperback

This book is about a little critter that gets to go on a camping trip with his dad. They do alot of different things together, but the little critter always tried to help his dad with everthing and always messed it up. Even though little critter messed some things up they still had a nice time together.

I would recommend this book to anyone, because its a nice book to read and learn from.

This book teaches that you should spend time with your family and even if you mess anything up still have a nice time with them.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful! May 23, 2003

By Lori's Mommy

Format:Paperback

You can never go wrong with a Mayer book. They are so fun. Always told from a child's point of view, you can't help but laugh at all the mishaps throughout the book and the innocence in which it is told. In this particular book, Little Critter goes camping with his dad and tries soooo hard to help out but somehow always manages to create a minor disaster. Add in a little 'treasure hunt' of spotting the spider and grasshopper in each picture and you've got quite a little treasure in itself. So, cuddle up with your little audience and enjoy!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Memorable Children's Book June 20, 2001

By "stakekl"

Format:Paperback

This was one of my favorite books when I was a child. I still remember how much fun it was searching for the hidden cricket in each picture. Now I am buying a copy for my child-to-be. I hope he/she enjoys it as much as I did.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Cute Book!! December 18, 2001

By A Customer

Format:Paperback

This is a cute book that I liked, there is just something so sweet and charming about Mercer Mayers Little Critter books and I highly recommend this book and all the rest in this very cute series!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Memories November 17, 1999

By "jeremez"

Format:Paperback

I remember reading this book as a child. This was one of those books I would pick up time and time again. I don't know how many times I read it.

The wonderful thing about this book and other Mercer Mayer books is his artwork. I remember going through the book and spending 10 or 15 minues on each page, just looking at all of the little critters hiding in each picture.

There are two critters (a mouse and a grasshopper?) that show up somewhere in every picture. Sometimes you have to look very closely, but you'll seem them every time. It's been such a long time since I've read this book, but I came across this listing on Amazon and was immediately nostalgic. This is a book that any age could enjoy. The pictures are a pleasure for little ones to look at and us older folks can enjoy them too.

The story is wonderful and cleverly written too. A father and son go camping and fishing and have all kinds of misadventures. Wow, what memories this one brings back.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book for Toddlers May 29, 1998

By A Customer

Format:Paperback

My 2 year old loves this book. She enjoys reading all of the books about Little Critter. This book is her favorite because of the bear and Little Critter's dad. I enjoy reading this book to her since the story is simple enough for her to understand, yet it is still imaginative and fun. She also enjoys sitting and telling the story to her father while looking at the pictures. I would recommend this book to children 2 and up.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Being Fair January 16, 2007

By Stepmom

Format:Paperback

It's always easy to find a book relating to the child/mother relationship, but it's a little more difficult finding a book relating to the child/father relationship. So this was quite a delightful find. It was written exceptionally well, and my stepdaughter enjoyed reading it.