Monk Camps Out [Hardcover]

Emily Arnold McCully (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 3 and up

It's hard to say who's more nervous about Monk's first backyard campout - the little mouse or his loving parents. In this charmingly illustrated family tale, absolutely no one gets a good night's sleep!

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

When Monk decides it's a perfect night for his first solo camp-out, his parents are a bit nervous. "All by yourself?" his mother asks. Mom and Dad worry about the tent, his dinner, the dark. But Monk is confident. With only a little help from his parents, he sets up his tent and prepares for a night in the wilds of his backyard. All goes well until he wakes up in the middle of the night, realizing he desperately needs his baseball mitt, and rushes inside. Of course, just at that moment, his parents rush outside to check on Monk. The tender, if sleepy, morning reunion after a night of missed connections makes the whole adventure worthwhile.

A child's first foray into independence--every parent knows it will happen sooner or later. For the young adventurer who is almost but not quite ready to take that leap, this story is a sweet and comforting reminder that the first step doesn't have to be a scary one. Caldecott Medal winner Emily Arnold McCully (Mirette on the High Wire) delights readers young and old with her playful tales, endearing asides, and loose, relaxed watercolor illustrations. McCully's mice have appeared in several of her books, including the clever Mouse Practice, again starring her sincere yet fallible family. (Ages 4 to 8) --Emilie Coulter

From Publishers Weekly

Parents and kids alike will find much to love in this sweet picture book about a child's blossoming independence. Monk, last seen honing his baseball skills in Mouse Practice, now wants to camp out in his backyard, all by himself. "I'll be okay!" he assures his accommodating though nervous parents. Even after night falls a little too dark and too quiet for Monk's liking, he's still determined to enjoy being on his own. But when he awakes with a start and realizes his beloved baseball mitt is nowhere in the tent, he slips into the house to retrieve it--at the same moment Mom and Dad decide to creep into the backyard and sleep on the lawn to keep Monk company. At daybreak, the family discovers the mix-up and happily reunites for breakfast. McCully (Mirette on the High Wire) uses a light and deft touch to address the tender anxieties that accompany rites of passage. The spare yet chipper text delineates the action while cheery watercolor and pen-and-ink scenes, by turns busy and cozy, are freckled with asides that give the story its heart. Accompanying the line "First, Monk had to make a tent," for example, is a view of the parents at the window: "Should we help him?" "Absolutely not." On the next page, the parents are busy at work: "They only helped a little." Affectionate, funny and wise, this is wholly a treat. Ages 3-9. (Apr.)
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 3 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Arthur A. Levine Books; First edition edition (April 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0439099765
• ISBN-13: 978-0439099769
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 8.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,014,965 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Very Impressed!, December 1, 2011

By 

SUZANNA S. BRANNAN - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Monk Camps Out (Hardcover)

I purchased "Monk Camps Out" to replace a book my 5 year old had checked out of the school library and accidentally damaged. He's 5, what can I say!! :) The school told me the book was $16.00 but I found it on Amazon for a lot less! The book was in excellent condition and I received it within a week. The school was very happy with the replacement. As always, Amazon comes through! Thank you!!

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Picture Book!, April 25, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Monk Camps Out (Hardcover)

I loved this book. I have never read any of Emily McGully's book but after reading Monk Camp's Out, I will read more. This is a story about Monk growing up. He is determined to go on his first solo camping trip. We see his parents love for him and there is some humor in the story when they look for each other. The story has a happy ending and makes you feel good. Kids should love it.