S Is for S'mores: A Camping Alphabet

by Helen Foster James, Lita Judge (Illustrator)

Next to baseball and fireworks on the Fourth of July, nothing else seems as American as the family camping trip. From what to pack, where to go, and what to do when you get there, S is for S' A Camping Alphabet takes readers on an A-Z trail exploring this outdoor pastime. Veteran camper Helen Foster James tackles topics such as unique camping environments, equipment necessities, famous conservationists, and national parks and other attractions. Whether your idea of "roughing it" is a blanket in your own backyard or the subarctic ecosystem of Alaska's Denali National Park, S is for S'mores is a fun and informative guide that is sure to help campers of all ages make the most of their wilderness adventures.Helen Foster James started researching this book when she was four years old - that's when she went on her first camping trip. An educator for over 20 years, Helen is a lecturer for San Diego State University. Her first book, E is for A New Mexico Alphabet, was a WILLA Literary Award Finalist. Helen lives in San Diego, California. Lita Judge lives in New Hampshire with her husband. She studied geology and dug for dinosaurs before she turned to writing and illustrating children's books. Her love of nature, animals, science, and history inspires her art.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Nature, Summer, Nonfiction

40 pages, Hardcover

First published May 1, 2007

Reviews

[Sheri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Introduce children to all things camping through this part picture book, part non-fiction book. More serious in nature than I thought it would be from the title and description, there’s brief information about a broad array of camping related topics. I would recommend the non-fiction parts for older kids and families with a serious interest in camping, particularly backcountry or more remote campgrounds with few modern amenities. It can be read as a story for younger children by omitting the non-fiction sidebars on each page.

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not a huge fan of this series, but this one brought back fond memories of my own camping days. I like that it addressed a broad range of topics about camping, such as the kitchen, safety, and wide variety of special places to go.
I always enjoy Lita Judge's art, and her work for this book was right on!

[Alice · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75 stars This was a very interesting camping book. Lots of facts. You can read it as just an alphabet book, or a camping info book or both. It offers a S'more recipe in the back! Let's go camping!!

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book. Even I learned a lot! An A-Z guide to camping and the outdoors. First, the watercolor illustrations are beautiful. This book is more that I thought when I ordered it! I thought it would be a letter of the alphabet on each page with one sentence related to camping. Each page or two does have that, but on the edges of the book, there are paragraphs of information about the word! This makes this book great for young and older children.

Example: “J is for John and Juliette. They both loved nature and planned for people who camp in the great outdoors to protect and cherish this land.” These two pages are about John Muir (father of national parks) and Juliette Gordon Low (founder of Girl Scouts). I love that this book has more than just “M is for Mountains!”

[Gina · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's okay. The alphabet part is a (not particularly good) poem about different camping words, but then there is also additional prose details about each topic, and that has some good information, especially for families that might be interested in camping but new to it.

If the poem had been better and the artwork hadn't been so blurry (it seems like paintings that would look better from a distance, which is not ideal for a picture book), that would have really helped, and that seems like it should have been possible.

[Cynthia Gutzwiller · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are many interesting articles in this book. Tips for being a No-Impact-Camper. How to Create Your Own Sketch pad. There is also a Trail Mix Recipe. There are interesting facts on National Parks. The illustrations are beautiful in the alphabet book. There are also tips on camping.
A is for Adventure. Let's camp from A to Z.
B is for Beach Camps We camp, swim and fish beneath bright blue skies.
H is for hiking looking for tracks animals leave on the ground.
I borrowed this book on a Kindle Unlimited website and so can you.

[Emily · Rating 2 out of 5]

You would think that for an alphabet book titled "S is for Smores" you would think that when you got to S it would be for smores....it's not. Every alphabet letter is something random and obscure. I thought they would go through gear needed to go camping or things you would see (this mostly for the really hard letters like Q, X, and Z). But nope. L is for LUPINE???? Not LANTERN?? I don't know who gave James the authority to write this book on camping, but that authority needs to be revoked immediately.

[Elizabeth Edwards · Rating 4 out of 5]

what i enjoy first ... who enjoy camping ... i know i sure do ... a great time .. time to center yourself again and remember what is most important. getting rid of the silliness that stresses u ... being around the things and folks u love. but in KU ...the photos (illustrations) are super tiny ... almost u can not even see them. makes my heart sad. i wish they were larger .. maybe when u read the real hand held book they might be way cooler??!

[Sarahs Reads ToKids · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like these rhyming themed Alphabet Books. They are enjoyable for all ages to read along. From the youngest reader just seeing the letter and the art work related to the letter. To a listening reader hearing the rhyming text. To an emerging reader, reading some of the text aloud to an adult. Up to adults with the information along the side of each page about what the letter is referencing.

[Carla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful art, and useful information. I was expecting there to be a little more alphabet used in each section, but it seemed well organized. I recommend reading a physical version for the best experience, the letter rhyme was often on the opposite page of the information, creating unintended suspense in the digital version.

[Elise · Rating 4 out of 5]

We really liked this creative alphabet book. In addition to the story there are facts and tidbits about camping and nature on the side of each page.

Families who enjoy camping or the outdoors would especially like this book.

[Paula Greenfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fun and informative alphabet book about camping.

[wildct2003 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Like its combo of easy and in depth

[lola Franco · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was good. But kind of a lot for a kid to read or to have read to her.

[Marina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read this book with my daughter. Her school had the author as a guest where she read to the children and signed books. Liked the book and any one who likes camping or nature will too. It was a fun read for us.

[Kristie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very detailed book, however it can be read as a simple ABC book by leaving out much of the text.

[Cathy Blackler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Camping was a big part of my childhood. Beautiful illustrations pair well with James' text to pay homage to the time-honored family tradition.