P. J. Funnybunny Camps Out

P.J. Funnybunny #7

by Marilyn Sadler, Roger Bollen (Illustrator)

Camping is not for girls, right? At least, that's what P.J. and his pals tell Donna and Honey Bunny when they want to tag along on a camping trip. But when two mysterious ghosts frighten the boys all the way home, only the girls know the "real" story.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Fiction, Summer

32 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 1994

About the author

With a degree in fine arts, Marilyn Sadler assumed she would be an illustrator. But when early in her career she was presented with an opportunity to write, she seized it and quickly discovered that she had found her true love. No sad, sappy stories for her, however. She likes to make herself laugh, and with that her characters usually end up looking pretty silly for one reason or another.

Her first children’s book featured a fastidious little English boy named Alistair Grittle and was originally created for the English publisher, Hamish Hamilton, as well as for Simon & Schuster in the United States. Having created a boy with such perfect behavior, she then turned her attention to a not so perfectly behaved little boy. His name was P.J. Funnybunny, and he has existed in a series of books for Random House, including the highly prestigious Dr. Seuss Cat In the Hat series.

Marilyn’s television credits include two PBS Reading Rainbow programs featuring Alistair, an Alistair program for the BBC, three ABC Weekend Specials featuring P.J. Funnybunny, and a show based on her children’s book, "Elizabeth and Larry", for Showtime’s Shelley Duvall’s Bedtime Stories.

Between 1999 and 2004, The Disney Channel produced three Original Movies based on her book, "Zenon, Girl of the 21st Century". Each of Disney’s Zenon movies had exceptionally high ratings, with Zenon, Girl of the 21st Century and Zenon the Zequel among the highest rated shows in the history of The Disney Channel.

In 2004, Playhouse Disney began production on Marilyn and Roger Bollen's animated series, Handy Manny. Handy Manny premiered September 16, 2006, as the highest rated Playhouse Disney series premiere of all time. In 2009, Marilyn was nominated for an Emmy Award as Executive Producer of Handy Manny.

Reviews

[La Coccinelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is sexist. Yes, I understand that the girls are proving (in the background) that the boys are wrong, but I'm afraid that message might be too subtle and can't compete with the boys' repeated assertions that girls are incapable of camping or being unafraid. Where did these little misogynists-in-training learn their ideas? I think that's the thing I find most disturbing.

The boys have a tough time camping. They pretty much mess everything up. Then, when it comes time for ghost stories, they see a couple of "real" ghosts (which turn out to be the sister and her friend). That's all fine and good, but the book doesn't actually show the girls being capable, so the boys' assertions about their abilities goes unchallenged.

The pictures are okay, but nothing special. This is my first exposure to P. J. Funnybunny, and I have to say, I'm not impressed. If I want to see this sort of dated sexism, I'll go watch some old episodes of Our Gang with the "He-Man Woman-Haters Club". At least those are entertaining.

[K. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book about four friends who think camping isn't for girls, but end the girls end proving that maybe camping isn't for them either.

[Amber Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book P.J. Funnybunny is a great book to read because it is funny and shows how you should not underestimate someone because of their gender. he boys were losing what they needed for the night of camping. The boys were telling the girls that camping is not for them and it turns out it was just as hard for them or even harder.

[Hannah Knight · Rating 2 out of 5]

PJ Funnybunny and his friends camp out together. Pig ate all of the food. There are struggles throughout the book and people have to overcome struggles. Sometimes friends have disagreements or one does something mean to the other, but they remain friends.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

My 5-year old ASKED to read a book last night for the first time ever! *cry face* He took his time and read the first 3 pages with very little help from me. It was the actual sweetest thing ever. I'm so proud of him and know he'll be reading the full book in no time!

[Jaime · Rating 3 out of 5]

I bought this book for my daughter and read it after her birthday. it was funny to read P. J. wreak havoc on a camping trip. This will tickle your funny bone.

[L. Leah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Funny camping story, and great lesson on why limitations shouldn’t be cast upon others.

[Alicia Evans · Rating 4 out of 5]

For: bunny fans; readers wanting a silly book filled with shenanigans.

Possible red flags: misogyny; terror.

[Pinky · Rating 3 out of 5]

P.J. Funnybunny and his friends chicken out of camping when ghosts come around to their campsite.

[Melissa Namba · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute book about how P.J. and his friends go camping. They won't let girls join because girls are wimpy. So the girls have fun scaring the boys.

[Chrisanne · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not as good as the original

[Kye · Rating 4 out of 5]

Used this book for a read-along activity! Cute and easy to read! However, the topic of camping is not for girls is misogynistic.

[Theresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Girls can too go camping!!

[Suzanne Lorraine Kunz Williams · Rating 3 out of 5]

Such a fun book when it comes to camping. I think many things that could go wrong, do go wrong. Also a fun little book that show in a fun way protesting when boys say girls can't do things.

* Talking points - Do you like Camping? Sleeping out in the backyard? In a Tent? In a Cabin? In a hotel? Are there things that boys can do that girls can't? Should it be that way?

[Rosa Cline · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a level 2 reading book...it's more on the higher end of the level 2 book so if your child has just merged into level 2 they would have difficulty with this book but a great one to 'keep at it'.

PJ Funnybunny is a rabbit that has three other close friends a beaver, raccoon and a pig. They decide in this adventure to go camping. PJ's little sister and her friend want to go along but they say "camping isn't for girls" They have to trek up a big mountain at the top they say that would have been to hard for girls. They continue to put the tent up and get ready to bunk down for the night. PJ tells a ghost story that even scares him...they hear a noise and look out and what do they find?.... a GHOST!!!!! TWO GHOST!!! They run back to PJ's house all the while his sister is watching him through the window she and her friend know about the ghost...

My almost 3 year old granddaughter giggled at the end when I told her "see the girls knew where the ghost was" it shows a picture of the two girls looking in the window with the white ghost costumes in their hands.

[Netanella · Rating 4 out of 5]

PJ Funnybunny has three best friends who all decide to go camping - without the girls, of course! Too bad for them the girls know what's up and turn the tables on them.

I read this tonight to my 2-year-old son, and my 6-year-old daughter overheard the story and had to join in. Our favorite part character was Potts the pig. Highly recommended for little ones, particularly devilish little girls.

[Lavinia · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book was about a little bunny named P.J. He camped out with his friends. They called him funnybunny because he's a bunny and he's so funny. His sisters wanted to come, but P.J. Funnybunny didn't let them because he thought that girls weren't allowed to camp out. But they were. When it was near the end, they saw ghosts, but the ghosts were really his sisters that we saw earlier in the book, near the beginning.

I liked this book so much, because it made me laugh.

[Kerri Harshaw · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute beginner reader for boys and girls. Although the boys will not allow the girls to go camping with them, the girls have a plan of their own up their sleeves! A great book to help students work on predicting. The text is quite funny, children will be sure to read this book over and over.

[Amy · Rating 2 out of 5]

This would be cute, except I don't particularly care for it because there is the refrain, "Camping is not for girls." (In the end, the girls play a trick on the boys, but I still find it annoying.)

[Kelly]

Not as good as the original P.J. Funnybunny but still has a good story with a good ending. Even good facial expressions for animals.

[Matthew Ridley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read it again this summer (6/25/12). It is a very funny book.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Vacation book for nephew and I, chosen by me

[Brenna Call · Rating 3 out of 5]

cute story with a clever ending

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jacob read to mom and Ellie..krb 3/26/16

[Libby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Made my little boys laugh and laugh. And I love that girls have the last word :)

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

AR 1.7

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's not nice to fool with little girls...

[Kelly Shiverdecker]

Published: 1993

This fantasy book is about a bunny who goes camping with his three friends, but he tells his sister and her friend that they cannot go because they are girls, however, when they were on the camping trip, the girls go to scare the boys and they return home.

[Little Champs]

2160