The Night Before Summer Camp

by Natasha Wing, Mindy Pierce (Illustrator)

The first day of summer camp is almost here, and one little camper doesn’t know what to expect. For a while everything is hunkydory . . . until rest time rolls around and he gets a bad case of nervous butterflies. But an unlikely friend appears out of the crowd and reassures him that the best cure for the summertime blues is tons of summertime fun! A sweetly reassuring story, once again told in verse to the meter of Clement Moore’s classic.

Genres: Summer, Picture Books, Childrens

32 pages, Paperback

First published May 10, 2007

About the author

Why am I a writer? When I was a young girl, I wanted to be a teacher. I’d line up my stuffed animals in front of a board and teach them the alphabet and how to count. In high school I wanted to be a tennis player. I was on the tennis team, and played at our neighborhood tennis club. Then in college I thought digging dinosaur bones would be a cool job. It wasn’t until I was working at my own public relations agency that I decided I really wanted to write children’s books. I was so inspired by the magic of reading a book that I wanted to see if my active imagination could create magical moments for kids all over the world. I started to write, then sent my stories to publishers, and sold my first manuscript in 1992. I’ve been writing ever since.

Why I write now.

I love the freedom of being my own boss, of coming up with ideas on my own and writing that first draft to see if my idea has any spark. I’m not so crazy about the revising process although there are thrilling moments when I figure out a better way to say something, or when I nail dialog, or work through a complicated plot line. The most exciting moment is when an editor says they want to publish my manuscript. Then I know all my hard work has paid off, and that soon, children will enter my imaginative world through a book.

Reviews

[Tricia Scott]

(copied from my book review blog: Patricia's Particularity)

The night before Summer Day Camp opens all the counselors are working hard to get everything ready. The canoes are ready for the campers to paddle in. And while the counselors are working hard, and other soon-to-be campers are easily dreaming, Rick is wide awake, worried. The morning of the first day of camp, Rick is afraid for he doesn't know a single soul at camp. Reluctantly, he gets on the bus to day camp. Right away Rick meets Counselor Kim who teaches the campers to swim. After swimming, Rick goes on nature trail walks, make sail boats,and even see some forest animals. But Rick is still homesick. After learning that his counselor is also nervous about being at camp and away from home Rick learns he is not alone, enjoying the rest of the week!

While many children are excited to go to camp, there are quite a few who are nervous - they don't know what to expect and many times they don't know anyone. Natasha Wing has done a wonderful job in harnessing these emotions in Rick. Despite Rick's initial reluctance, he gives camp a try anyways. I like how Natasha Wing even makes something so simple as trying a key example, showing that trying something could end up being a wonderful thing.

The Night Before Summer Camp is a very easy and quick read, while being applicable to any child. Natasha Wing uses simple rhyming that are wonderfully paired with simple yet fun illustrations by Mindy Pierce. For any child that is nervous about going camping, away from their parents, this is a fantastic book to get them excited!

[Diana Arango]

The night before the summer camp begins everyone is dreaming for the day to come, everyone but Rick. He is really afraid about going because he does not know anyone on the camp, however he goes to the camp. Then Rick gets to know counselor Kim who insentivates him to go swimming, nature trail walks and make some sail boats. However he continues to be homesick and wants to go home, but he gets to talk with Kim who tells him that he was not the only one nervous about the summer camp. Rick learns that he is not alone and gets more confortable and enjoys the rest of the summer camp, he also plans to come next year.

the theme involves growing up because Rick is getting to do things he did not used to and he is learning to overcome challenges in life.

Many of us including me can relate with Rick, new experiences get us a little nervous for example coming to college.

This book would be really helpful for children that are going to do something for the first time and are really afraid, This helps them know that they are not alone.

[Morgan Jones]

This book is about a little boy who is nervous and does not want to go to summer camp. The little boy is worried becasue he does not think he will be able to make any friends or have fun with the activities at camp. The book would be good to read to kids right before summer break or maybe with older kids if you are taking a class trip to camp. The language is simple and provides good development in expressing your emotions.

I gave this book 5 stars because there are many good things to learn from this short book. The language is simple and would be a good read for the class to talk about summer plans. The illustrations are very realistic so it gives the reader the chance to see themselves there.

[Viviane Elbee]

Rick is worried about starting summer camp. He doesn't know anyone there and is not sure he will have fun. He misses his mom. But a kind counselor encourages him to try all the activities (swimming, crafting boats, explore nature trails, played games like 3 legged races, arts & crafts and a play) anyway and he ends up having a good time.

[Rebekah]

It was okay. A good book to read to kids if they are nervous about camp.

[Miss Sarah]

A boy getting ready for summer camp is super nervous can he make it through without calling mom to go home? Cute and realistic emotions. Preschool and up

[Patricia (Patricia's Particularity)]

The night before Summer Day Camp opens all the counselors are working hard to get everything ready. The canoes are ready for the campers to paddle in. And while the counselors are working hard, and other soon-to-be campers are easily dreaming, Rick is wide awake, worried. The morning of the first day of camp, Rick is afraid for he doesn't know a single soul at camp. Reluctantly, he gets on the bus to day camp. Right away Rick meets Counselor Kim who teaches the campers to swim. After swimming, Rick goes on nature trail walks, make sail boats,and even see some forest animals. But Rick is still homesick. After learning that his counselor is also nervous about being at camp and away from home Rick learns he is not alone, enjoying the rest of the week!

While many children are excited to go to camp, there are quite a few who are nervous - they don't know what to expect and many times they don't know anyone. Natasha Wing has done a wonderful job in harnessing these emotions in Rick. Despite Rick's initial reluctance, he gives camp a try anyways. I like how Natasha Wing even makes something so simple as trying a key example, showing that trying something could end up being a wonderful thing.

The Night Before Summer Camp is a very easy and quick read, while being applicable to any child. Natasha Wing uses simple rhyming that are wonderfully paired with simple yet fun illustrations by Mindy Pierce. For any child that is nervous about going camping, away from their parents, this is a fantastic book to get them excited!

[Mandy Couch]

I liked this book. It showed how children can be very upset when changing their schedule and feeling alone. Rick wanted to have fun but was scared because none of his friends were there. I think this can be true in any situation, whether at school, work or just in day to day routines. This book helps children learn that its okay to meet new people and have fun. They are just as nervous as you are. I liked the way to book rhymed and kept you interested throughout. It taught a very good lesson and illustrated how to handle unusual situations.

Activity:
SInce this book was mainly about going somewhere with new people, I would like to pair the children up with classmates that they do not interact with very often and have them play together for a recess period. Once recess was over, I would like for the children to come back inside to circle time and share with everyone what they learned about the other classmate.

[Jami]

A variation of 'The Night Before Christmas'. Cute but not all that great.

[Sheila]

Cute book for parents to read to their kids who are about to go off to summer camp!

[Jas]

At the end of fourth grade my fourth grade teacher gave the class this book and it was pretty good.

[Jennifer Kloczko]

Kids LOVE these books. Plus, we skyped with the author!

[Heather Jo]

megan summer reading 2016, children's book, picture book, series, the night before, summer camp, vacation, summer, prek, kindergarten, first grade, second grade