Plantzilla Goes to Camp

Plantzilla

by Jerdine Nolen, David Catrow (Illustrator)

Mortimer Henryson is thrilled when he is finally accepted by Camp Wannaleaveee, his father's childhood sleepaway camp. Until he reads the camp NO PETS OF ANY KIND ARE ALLOWED!

It breaks Mortimer's heart to leave his beloved Plantzilla behind. And then at camp, Mortimer discovers that the horrible, much-feared bully Bulford Whipland is his roommate. Does Plantzilla have a plan to watch over his friend and save the day?

Friendship and true devotion conquer all in this charmingly madcap picture book by best-loved team of Jerdine Nolen and David Catrow. Everyone should have a friend like Plantzilla --why not adopt a plant of your own?

Genres: Picture Books, Plants, Childrens, Humor, Friendship

32 pages, Hardcover

First published March 28, 2006

Reviews

[Catherine Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is written in a series of letters, it is fun and I love Plantzilla. Some of the letters I really like, but other times I wish the author had just written in prose. I have yet to see what my son makes of it. I love how the plant solves not just one problem but all the problems Mortimer has. And the carefree parents going off on holiday, love that. It just wouldn't happen in real life these days. A fun read!

[Sarah Cho · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is written through letters and post cards. The letters and cards are shown on the paper that Mortimer wrote on. It displays his own handwriting which helps with the connection with the main character. Overall, this book was not my favorite but the would be fun to read with children who enjoy mystical creatures (plantzilla).

[Rosemary · Rating 3 out of 5]

We have a pitcher plant in our second grade classroom named Plantzilla. So my kids liked the book Plantzilla. Our librarian just got Plantzilla goes to camp and brought it right to us to read!

[Kayla Christine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Illustrations are adorable, story is okay.

[Robin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not into the characters in this series. Meh.

[Sherrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this story told through postcards and letters. The colorful and wacky illustrations fit the story perfectly.

[Pamela Powell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute story of a boy and his plant. Somewhat reminiscent of Little Shop of Horrors, with the horror!

[Anthony · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mortimer Henryson spends his summer at Camp Wannaleaveee, and through a series of missives to his parents, he shares his daily adventures.

[Jessica Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

illustrated by David Catrow

Interest Level

Grades K - 2
Reading Level

Grade level Equivalent: 3.3

Lexile Measure®: 460L

DRA: Not Available

Guided Reading: M
Genre

Mystery and Suspense
Theme/Subject

Basic Needs of Living Things
Plant Growth and Development

a collection of letters between Mortimer and his mother and father, teacher, diary, and several other random correspondences tell the story. These fun illustrations combined with the letters and there uniqueness will have any age child interested in the story of Mortimer and his meat eating friend plantzilla.When Mortimer is torn away form his plant friend as he attends Wannaleaveee, the summer camp his father attended as a boy, he meets a bully and writes letters about his dislike of camp to his parents.With Mortimer's parents gone on vacation Plantzilla finds this as a opportunity to escape to save and watch over his friend, so he dresses in disguise and boards the bus for camp. This is a great book that will have children interested and asking questions about plants and about the carnivorous ones that do exist. This book is perfect for a picture walk or preview lesson.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book better then the first one. I think it was because I didn't see the plant in as creepy manner, but more along the lines of a crazy friend. I liked the use of colors and details, though some of the people were a little awkward looking. I'd probably recommend - it was random and fun.

*Taken from my book reviews blog: http://reviewsatmse.blogspot.com/2010...

[Dolly · Rating 4 out of 5]

We recently read Plantzilla and really liked it. So when we saw this book at our local library, we just knew we had to read it. It's a fun summer read and the illustrations are hilarious. We love that the narrative takes the form of correspondence between the characters and the illustrations tell an even funner tale. We really enjoyed reading this book together.

[The Brothers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mortimer is sent to the summer camp his father went to as a child, but he doesn't want to go because that means leaving his beloved plant, Plantzilla. Luckily, Plantzilla with Grollier (the chihuahua) make a break for it from their pet/plant sitter and head off to camp with Mortimer.

Great illustrations. So fun.

[Jody · Rating 3 out of 5]

The illustrations are wonderful, but also confusing in trying to find where Plantzilla the plant begins and ends. Fun story about going to camp and seeing how Plantzilla and the pet dog gets there to aid their homesick owner, Mortimer.

[Jeffrey Ellsworth]

Very colorful drawings. A boy goes to camp and really misses his best friend a plant. The boy is having a bad time at camp until his plant asks from a sitter and finds the boy at camp. They then have the best time there.

[Samantha · Rating 2 out of 5]

Eh. Mortimer and Plantzilla go to camp. A bully turns into a friend in this story told in letters.

The 1st Plantzilla book read better with a more complex storyline. I'm just okay with this title. PreK-2.

[Amber · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cute story, I t was a story that I had to read to my niece, because some of the last names, locations etc. were difficultt for a 5 year old to read. The Illustrations were very colorful.

[Zonia]

Written in letter format, Plantzilla runs away from home to join Mortimer at Camp WANNALEAVEEE. Plantzilla fans will like this adventure.

[Ashlei · Rating 2 out of 5]

Don't think it would be a very good read-aloud, written in the form of letters.

[Melanie]

Told through letter writing.

[Michele Coss · Rating 3 out of 5]

cute but enjoyed the first one more

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Plantzilla likes camp. But maybe not all the campers.

[Lindsay - Library Associate · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is just too cute.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

My 6 year old really enjoyed this one. The illustrations are fun.