When We Go Camping
Written by: Margriet Ruurs
Illustrated by: Andrew Kiss
Tundra Books $11.99
Recommended for ages 4 – 8

The life-like paintings in this storybook will make any child entice to explore the wonders of nature through a family camping trip. Follow this brother and sister as their day unfolds by waking up in their tent and seeing a large moose in the water just ahead of them. Soon after they haul their canoe into the lake and are surrounded by beautiful loons and singing chickadees. As they chop wood and investigate fallen trees, they are learning about the wildlife that surrounds them. It sure beats video games or computers for entertainment. After swimming in the cold water, cooking over a campfire and simply observing nature, the family ends the day (as do many families who camp) with a cozy campfire.

Andrew Kiss has done a stupendous job with his oil paintings. On each page the reader is challenged to find the squirrel and also to identify the animal tracks that accompany the text. At the end there is a legend describing the animals that are found within the pages of this marvelous storybook for those keen readers who wish to learn more about the Canadian animals that we are so fortunate to have around.

This book is a great choice for those families who already camp or perhaps just dream of it. Either way it will put you in touch with the simple beauty that surrounds us.