Mary Ann Dames, M.S., R.D.

My favorite book about camping is Toasting Marshmallows: Camping Poems. Not only is it written by my friend, but it captures what camping is all about. Kristine O'Connell George has this to say about her multi-award winning book: "Camping. What is it about camping? You get dirty, sleep on the ground, and are often either too cold or too hot. Not to mention mysterious night noises and menacing mosquitoes.

"Yet, what I remember about camping is the magic. The way the sun shines through a tent in the morning. Squirrels, chipmunks, moose, and deer - soft green moss under a tree. The quiet moments where I slow down, breathe deeply, and reconnect with the earth. I feel very "small" when I'm camping - an insignificant part of an enormous universe. This feeling of smallness helps me focus and see what is important. And what isn't."

Pinky and Rex and their dads are going camping on what turns out to be a rainy weekend. Did they let that spoil their time together? No way! In Pinky And Rex And The Double-Dad Weekend: Ready-To-Read Level 3 the four campers make the best of a wet weekend by camping in a motel room and going on indoor adventures to replace the outdoor ones. Pinky and Rex agee the very best thing about the weekend was that it was “Just us and our dads!”

James Howe also wrote Bunnicula: A Rabbit-Tale of Mystery, Howliday Inn (Bunnicula), The Celery Stalks at Midnight (Bunnicula)and more. Melissa Sweet not only illustrated this book but several others, including Jane Yolen’s Baby Bear's Chairs (Golden Kite Awards (Awards)).

Four crocodile friends drive to the woods for a camping trip. In a few well chosen words supplemented by simple illustrations, Patricia Larkin tells of four crocodile friends, Sam, Pam, Will, and Jill and their Camping Day! adventure. The friends drive to the country where they cross a stream, jump a fence, and set up their tent. “S’mores,” said Sam. “More!” said Pam. “Songs!” said Will. “Stories,” said Jill. “SCARY!” said Sam, Pam, Will and Jill. Maybe these four friends will find Micro-Mini S’Mores coming up on Recipe Wednesday recipe more to their liking.

Almost no one but the Graves family knows where Lake Bleakmire is. “Surrounded by a rocky escarpment with only one hidden tunnel leading through it, it is a place that time has forgotten. Untouched! A place legends are made of.” Learn how the Graves family meets the Flatulent Sulphuric Fermious Flying Griffin and how it saves the day, or in this case night, on the Fourth of July. The Graves Family Goes Camping is a perfect story to read while camping and listening to all those strange noises. Patricia Polacco’s imagination has run wild with words and illustrations. The only thing not included is toasting marshmallows with the help of the Flatulent Sulphuric Fermious Flying Griffin.

Camping With the President was written by Ginger Wadsworth, author and naturalist, and illustrated by Karen Dugan. American's 26th president was Teddy Roosevelt. After reading John Muir's book Our National Parks, the President wrote to him. "I am coming West. I want to go camping with you and no one else...." In 1903, during a four day horseback camping trip in Yosemite, Roosevelt and Muir talked about the need to protect the natural wonders around them. In a speech in Sacramento, California's state capitol, Roosevelt said, "California possesses a wonderful climate, a wonderful soil...the water supply cannot be preserved unless the forests are preserved. As regards some of the trees, I want them preserved because they are the only things of their kind in the world...It would be a shame to our civilization to let them disappear. They are monuments in themselves... We are not building this country of ours for a day. It is to last through the ages."

Although a younger child will enjoy the beauty of the illustrations and understand the message, this book is geared for ages 9 - 12. Nonfiction.


I am an Amazon Affiliate. When you click on a book title, you will be taken to Amazon. If you buy something, I receive a very small percentage of the purchase price, which helps support this blog.

My top pick this week is Compost Stew: An A to Z Recipe for the Earth by Mary McKenna Siddals and illustrated by Ashley Wolff. Written in a bouncy rhyme, the words draw the reader through. Ms. Wolff's collage illustrations jump off the page. As an extra at Siddals's web site there are links to activities such as a slide show to show kids how to compost or a visit with Eddie the Earthworm as well as teacher resources.

Next on the list is What Do You See at the Pond, an easy reader by Anastasia Suen, illustrated by Aaron Boyd. This simple text and clear illustraions are perfect for the beginning reader: "I see a frog. I see a plant." The reader will be pleased and surprised at what the boy sees in the pond. Available in English and Spanish. Lesson plans are available at Anastasia's site.

Earth Day--Hooray! (MathStart 3) by Stuart J. Murphy and illustrated by Renée Andriani is pack full of facts and fun. The students at Maple Street School form a Save the Planet Club. They want to collect 5,000 aluminum cans to get money so they can clean up the local park and plant flowers. Facts about Earth Day facts as well the math concept of place value are presented in an engaging story.

Enjoy this great Rookie Reader nonfiction book that provides the basic information one needs to know about Earth Day (Rookie Read-About Holidays) by Trudi Strain Trueit.

For a real hands-on experiences you can start your own compost pile. Read Garbage Helps Our Garden Grow: A Compost Story by Linda Glasser. For a review of this an other nature books, visit Wild About Nature blog.

Teaching Authors is six children's authors who teach writing. They just let me know I won the wonderful book Ladybug, Ladybug: And Other Favorite Poems, all because I was looking for poetry and bug books to inspire me for Beetle Bop Salad and Beetle Bop Babies on Recipe Wednesday. Visit Cathy Cronin's site to learn more about her. Or read her soothing bedtime poem, "Firefly" from Ladybug, Ladybug and Other Favorite Poems. Will it inspire you to make a Firefly Salad?

Somebody decided that April 16, the day after income taxes are due, would be a special day for adults. They named it Wear Your Pajamas to Work Day. Now, I've never seen this but maybe somebody does wear his pajamas to work. However, I know some classrooms have a special pajama day sometime during the year. Ask your teacher if they want to have one.

Start by reading Pajama Day (Picture Puffin Books) by Lynn Plourde and illustrated by Thor Wickstrom. Drew A. Blank forgets all about Pajama Day at school. He forgot his slippers so he wears mittens from the lost-and-found. He doesn't bring a pillow but blows up a balloon instead. (You know what happens to the balloon!) You'll need to read the book for yourself to find out if Drew A. Blank his other inventions and if he ever gets to wear his pajamas.

Or you could wear your pajamas all day on a day you don't have to go to school just like Timothy in Timothy And The Strong Pajamas by Viviane Schwarz.

And, of course, we must remember pajamas are actually worn to bed. So pack up for a sleepover in Everything to Spend the Night From A to Z by the multi-talented Ann Whitford Paul.You'll enjoy this exuberant rhyming alphabet bedtime story. I know I did.

For those of us who remember bedtime anxiety, Llama Llama Red Pajama by Anna Dewdney will be all too familiar. A nice rhyme is comforting as is Mama Llama reassurance that she is always near.

The Llama Who Had No Pajama: 100 Favorite Poems is a collection of poems by Mary Ann Hoberman, our Children's Poet Laureate, 2008-2010. This collection of poems is filled with humor and tenderness. A great addition to your poetry library.

Another poetry book by Julie Larios and Julie Paschkis is Imaginary Menagerie: A Book of Curious Creatures In this book, Julie Larios was inspired by creatures of mythology. You could write about on of those creatures or make up your own.

What would a elepotamus do? What? You've never heard of an elepottamus? It is a cross between an elephant and hippopotamus. One of its neighbors is a chickamingo - a cross between a chickadee and a flamingo.

It is your turn now. Have fun writing about real, mythical, or made up creatures.

April is National Poetry Month. There are so many wonderful books suggest for you. Where to start? And where to stop? Watch for poetry books all this month.

If you've been reading my blog, you will know that I've already mentioned several poetry books by Kristine O'Connell George. Today I'll suggest another one of her books. It is Fold Me a Poem. Succinct poems are enveloped in folded origami illustrations. Stop by her website for wonderful activities for children and teachers You can also hear Kris read some of her poetry out loud.

Let's keep our imagination going with Yellow Elephant: A Bright Bestiary (Boston Globe-Horn Book Honors (Awards)) by Julie Larios and illustrated by Julie Paschkis. Julie Larios is a master of tantalizing the tongue with her words. What kid won't enjoy the improbably colored beasts? This is not only wonderfully written but the bright illustrations warm the words.

Beetle Bop by Denise Fleming. There are only 75 words in the whole book and every one of them is important. Thirty-four of those words are "beetles" and nary a one is boring. Internal rhyme keeps the flow going. One of my favorite lines is "Striped beetles, spotted beetles, all-over-dotted beetles." Listen to that internal rhyme! Visit Recipe Wednesday for Beetle Bop Salad. BTW: her illustrations are made using pulp painting. Visit her web site for an full explanation. Fascinating.

Can you believe it? There is a whole day devoted to "Eating Something on a Stick!" Can you believe it? There is a cookbook about things on a stick! Naturally, it is called Cooking On A Stick: Campfire Recipes for Kids (Acitvities for Kids). The cookbook also includes recipes for cooking in a pouch, cooking on a grate, and some snacks and trail foods.
Writing about eating things on a stick makes me think of toasting marshmallows over a campfire. Toasting marshmallows reminded me of a book by my friend Kristine O'Connell George. What is the name of the book? What else but Toasting Marshmallows: Camping Poems. It is beautifully illustrated by Kate Kiesler.

How many friends can get in a tent? Find out in Maisy Goes Camping: A Maisy First Experience Book.

No camping trip is complete without something spooky and a bit scary. Chime in with one of the songs from Campfire Songs For Monsters (Sipping Spiders Through A Straw) with lyrics by Kelly DiPucchio and pictures by Gris Grimly.

Since I already offered up an acrostic last week, today I'll suggest some acrostic books to explore further.

African Acrostics: A Word in Edgeways by author Avis Harley was a Cybil 2009 finalist for poetry . You can read more about the author, this book and others at Great Kid Books. BTW: Cybil is an acronym for Children's and Young Adult Bloggers' Literary Awards.

Get ready to read 26 acrostic poems celebrating winter in Steven Schnur's Winter: An Alphabet Acrostic. Enjoy the linoleum-cut illustrations of the wintery scenes.

Janet Wong emailed me, sending me this poem she wrote in celebration of the Chinese Lunar New Year. I am thrilled and honored that she is letting me post it here. She challenges you, my readers, to identify one opportunity this week and pounce on it. I'll let you know what I pounce on and you can let me know, too.

Be sure, too, to check on Reading Monday for a book by Janet.

The Year of the Tiger
by Janet Wong

The Year of the Tiger
is a year for change,
switching to a better way.

If Tiger senses trouble
she turns around quickly,
leaps to safety.

If Tiger senses opportunity
she pounces,
unleashes her power.

Follow the Tiger’s lead:
now is the time
to be unafraid.

I was fortunate enough to be in a two day workshop lead by Joyce Carol Thomas. Not only is she a classy, caring lady, she is a great teacher and poet. I am please to offer up her book The Blacker the Berry (ALA Notable Children's Books.) for Black History Month. In 20009, it was both a Coretta Scott King Illustrator's Award and Author Honor Book.

Looking out the window above my desk, I see trees and more trees. The hills in the distance are a soft gray-green blush except in the canyon folds where dark green scrubby trees are tucked. Across the street, the multiple trunks of my neighbor’s 27 year old olive tree are gnarled like an old crone. At the corner of my garage the lime tree's green leaves camouflage its fruit, making it a treasure hunt when I need one to cook with.

I would find it difficult to say what kind of tree I like best…one that shades me, one that feeds me, one that carries my mind to a memory. If you had to choose today, what would your favorite tree be? What would you say to it or about it? Why not write about it?

Read the much honored Old Elm Speaks: Tree Poems by Kristine O'Connell George.

I’ve renamed my blog to better reflect my passions for Reading, Writing and Recipes. You have already seen Reading and Recipes. Now I’m ready to add Writing.

At this very moment, I’m thinking on Fridays I will post a writing sample, something from a workshop such as I did with the brilliant and creative Julie Williams. Most of what I will post are from free writes of less than five minutes. The idea being to never take you pen from the paper or fingers from the computer keyboard. Even if you write “this is stupid, I can’t think of a thing to write about,” keep writing. I’ve done that and found a gem or two buried in my spewing.

"Purple Paradise" is based on an exercise called Inside-Out from Bonnie Goldberg's Room to Write. Take a minute or so to list places impossible to enter. You can use my list (ice cube, another's mind, moon beam, taste of a juicy plum, a giggle) or better yet, find your own. Let your imagination float Then, make it feasible. Use as many of the five as you can. Have fun.

Purple Paradise

Wrap yourself in the taste of a ripe juicy plum
Drape yourself in purple satin sprinkled with golden dewdrops

Walk barefoot on green grass soft with the freshness of spring
Loosen your hair
     let it waft behind you in the yellow breeze
Feel the sun warm on your face
     skin tightening with pinkness and salt of the day
Breathe in the aroma of fresh mown hay and the heady hint of clover
Let your ears ride the sounds of bees
Sit wrapped in the shade of the mother tree
     bark scratchy against your back
Revel in rivulets of sweet-tart plum juice coursing down your chin.

Suck your fingers clean.

Mary Ann Dames, MS, RD © 2010