The Camping Trip

by Jennifer K. Mann

Ernestine has never been camping before, but she’s sure it will be lots of fun . . . won’t it? An endearing story about a girl’s first experience with the great outdoors.

My aunt Jackie invited me to go camping with her and my cousin Samantha this weekend. I’ve never been camping before, but I know I will love it.

Ernestine is beyond excited to go camping. She follows the packing list carefully (new sleeping bag! new flashlight! special trail mix made with Dad!) so she knows she is ready when the weekend arrives. But she quickly realizes that nothing could have prepared her for how hard it is to set up a tent, never mind fall asleep in it, or that swimming in a lake means that there will be fish — eep! Will Ernestine be able to enjoy the wilderness, or will it prove to be a bit too far out of her comfort zone? In an energetic illustrated story about a first sleepover under the stars, acclaimed author-illustrator Jennifer K. Mann reminds us that opening your mind to new experiences, no matter how challenging, can lead to great memories (and a newfound taste for s’mores).

Genres: Picture Books, Nature, Childrens, Family, Adventure, Realistic Fiction, Fiction

56 pages, Hardcover

First published April 14, 2020

About the author

Jennifer K. Mann was an architect before turning to children’s books full time. Two Speckled Eggs is the first book that she has written and illustrated. She lives on an island near Seattle with her husband, children, cats, dogs, and chickens.

Reviews

[Ms. B · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars, the ups and downs of camping. If you're looking for a mentor text for personal narratives, check this one out.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

A picture book about camping that is fun and highlights all the best parts of camping! (Favorite spread: the starlit night.) On another level, this book is about the excitement of a new experience. Preparing, anticipating, waiting...going, looking forward to it, feeling a little anxious, missing home...enjoying, growing, learning, looking forward to doing it again! Ernestine brings her knowledge to the new setting and makes comparisons...I loved this! She knows how to swim but swimming is different in a pool; she takes walks in the city but hiking in nature is more rigorous. There are a lot of prompts to talk about with kids. Ernestine brings her lovey FOXY on the trip. I had a terrific time using this book with first graders and asking them who their loveys were!

[Eliza · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really great read-aloud about going camping for the first time. We loved the packing lists and the instructions on how to make s'mores, and how happy the dad was to see the little girl when she got home.

[Ms. Arca · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is perfection.
I need it. My sister needs it. My classroom needs it. Your auntie Jo needs it.

It’s so relatable, perfectly paced, loving, and exactly the right note.. It’s exactly what a household needs (kiddos and guardians!) to remember the beauty and tough tummy in knots parts of trying something new.. being with family.. the sheer starry awe-someness of nature and an adventure.

It’s also the sweet brown girl magic rep my outdoorsy sister and I always needed. And my group of badass black women friends who work in the environmental field— all would’ve felt so seen by this book. And my very city-kids 7th graders I took camping for the first time in their lives— they needed this too! Nature is for everyone. Adventures are a little tough, but with love and care and curiosity we can make it through and enjoy them and even find new things we enjoy, & new things about ourselves.

All that is to say-
I love this book I’m buying it.

Did I mention your second cousin Freddie needs this book, too? I trust you’ll get on that..

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Etienne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this one! It has a lot! First a fun a good story. The illustrations are fine and I love the way the page presentation change from here and there it create some good movement and change to keep the reader «engage». Last element, I love the way that it present camping in a fun way, also shows what you can do while camping and so the book can be use has an introduction/presentation of what camping is before going for the first time with children. Well done in every aspect!

[Abby Johnson]

This is a fun and joyful picture book about a city girl's first time camping out. It would be perfect for a family read right before a first camping trip.

[Kris Patrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Why do I love books with lots of little pictures with labels á la Richard Scarry so much? Because I do! A lot for young writers to replicate here.

[Kristen Wunder · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is adorable and super important for representation in kid's books!

[Alex Baugh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ernestine is beyond excited when she is invited to go camping with her Aunt Jackie and cousin Samantha. She's never been camping before but luckily Aunt Jackie has given her a list of things she will need to bring with her. Then she and her dad make some trail mix to take. It's a long drive to the campground, but Ernestine and Samantha find things to do in the car to make the trip go faster. Setting up camp isn't exactly like the blanket tents Ernestine builds at home, it's hard work. Everyone is hot and sweaty afterwards, so they decide to take a swim. But lake swimming isn't like pool swimming, and Ernestine isn't comfortable sharing the lake with all those fish and decides to sit the swim out. Later, it's off for a hike, but hiking in nature isn't exactly what Ernestine thought is would be - it's much harder than "hiking" to school everyday. But there's lots to explore and the downhill trip is much easier. Back at camp, Tofu hot dogs for dinner aren't a hit with Ernestine, but the s'mores sure are. And when night comes, Aunt Jackie and Samantha fall right asleep, but not Ernestine - homesickness and missing dad make her want to go home. What to do? Wise Aunt Jackie takes the girls stargazing until she hears some yawns. The next day, a very different Ernestine wakes up, one who can't wait to go camping again next year. Narrated by Ernestine, this is a wonderful book about some of the realities of camping for the first time. But Mann wisely shows readers Ernestine's growth as she faces and overcomes her fears and learns to enjoy these new experiences. All this is wrapped in the warm family love of her single father, her aunt and her cousin. The humorous pencil illustrations are digitally collaged and painted, really capture what camping is all about from the individual items packed to the night sky full of stars. I can't wait to share this book with my young readers when we are able to be together again. I know they will love Ernestine.

[Tasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

The little girl narrating this picture book has never been camping before. So she is very excited when her Aunt Jackie and cousin Samantha ask her to come. She just knows that she is going to love it. She packs using a list from her aunt, then leaves her father behind and heads out on the journey to the camp site. It’s a long drive to Cedar Tree Campground. When they reach it is it big and quiet with lots of trees and a lake. They set up camp, then they go swimming. But swimming in the lake with fish isn’t at all like swimming in an indoor pool. They go hiking, but hiking has a lot more hills than walking around town. Dinner is tofu dogs and broccoli salad, which is actually pretty good. Smores are munched before bed. But sleeping in a tent is something else that is pretty different, though it might help to look at the stars until you get sleepy. The next day, even the lake doesn’t look quite as scary anymore.

Mann celebrates the big outdoors and the joys (and pains) of outdoor activities. She nicely shows things that the narrator can learn to love, like swimming in a lake and going on hikes, rather than mosquito bites. Mann shows how high expectations of having tons of fun can feel horrible when reality comes along, but also how being open to new experiences allows us to love new things just as they are, fish and all.

Mann’s illustrations are done in pencil on tracing paper which is then digitally collaged and colored. The picture book reads more like a comic book with panels and lots of speech bubbles. The Black family at the heart of the book gives it a fresh and inclusive take on being outside.

Perfect for reading when camping in the wilderness, backyard or living room. Appropriate for ages 4-6.

[Jason · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great example of how it's NOT THAT HARD to write picture books featuring main characters of color without making them *about* race. The more we get diverse characters depicted in everyday situations, the more normalized seeing diverse characters in everyday life becomes. This is lovely all the way 'round. I am aware that Ms. Mann does not present as an author of color, so buy this in addition to all the wonderful picture books depicting characters of color written BY people of color! You can do it!

[Chance Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Makes me want to go camping. Me, of all people. Give it a Pulitzer.

[Becky Loader · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lovely story about learning and experience.
Artwork was totally under-whelming.

[ambyr · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bought for my niece, because I wanted a book about camping that wasn't steeped in 1970s gender roles. I don't know how it will work for the target audience yet--it's filed away as a Chanukah gift--but the pictures are cute (and occasionally numinous--I love the two-page spread of the sky at night) and based on past read-aloud experiences I think the sections that are lists of what to pack will be huge hits.

I am a little frustrated that this, like so many contemporary picture books about camping, leans into the "camping is scary! this is how you can get over it!" plot line, which feels to me like it may be creating fears where none would otherwise be found; whatever the faults of the 1970s books, they skipped the scary angle and went straight for "camping is fun!" But I'm not a child psychologist, so what do I know.

[Peacegal · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this sweet picture book, a city girl is excited to go camping, but then feels a little unsure once she actually gets in the woods. With the help and support of her young cousin, she begins to step out of her comfort zone and realize just how fun camping can be!

Veg*n parents note: I especially liked the section where the cousin offers Ernestine a tofu hot dog and broccoli salad, and at first, she makes a face and doesn't want to try it. But then she takes a few bites and realizes her cousin's favorites aren't so bad after all.

[Deb (Readerbuzz) Nance · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ernestine has never been camping. Now she is going into the wilderness with her aunt Jackie and her cousin Samantha. What will happen on her trip?

The Camping Trip tells what it's like to be outdoors---good and bad, scary and surprising, unusual and amazing---and takes the reader along with Ernestine and her family.

I think children would be charmed by this kid-friendly story.

[Riley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Do you remember your first camping trip. Like Ernestine, my first camping trip was with my cousin and her family, so I can relate to Ernestine's first attempt to swim in a lake, spend the night in a tent and be away from home. A little bit of the unknown and a lot of fun!

[Mary Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story of a little girl who goes on her first camping trip. Fun compare/contrast of her city life to the campsite. She has to overcome some fears, but the s'mores make it all worth it! :-)

[Michelle Simpson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this one!

[Tammy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful K-2 book about a first camping trip. I love the way Jennifer Mann incorporated some labels and a how-to into this fictional story. The characters in this story are black and the author is white. This text is not written by an author from a marginalized community.

[Beverly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reviewed for the Mock Caldecott awards. What a sweet book...it is really adorable. All about a special aunt and her daughter who invite a cousin along to go on a camping trip. I loved the illustrations and everything that happens is totally believable. Just a treat to read.

[Pooja Banga · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story reminds us to open our mind to new experiences, no matter how challenging, can lead to great memories.

Thankyou Netgalley and publisher for providing me a free copy of this book in exchange for a honest review

[Jill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very, very cute.

This is one of the Monach 2022 books and I want to get a head start so when I read them to my class I at least kind of remember what they're about. 😂 This was the story of Ernestine, a city girl who goes camping for the first time with her aunt and cousin. She's basically just experiencing a first camping trip. It's realistic and makes me want to go camping! Illustrations are very cute, too, and have good representation.

I likes this a lot but I do have a personal connection to the topic since we went camping alllllll the time when we were little.

[Vernon Area Public Library KIDS · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a delightful and engaging picture book about Ernestine’s first camping trip. Ernestine lives in the city with her dad, and she is excited to go to Cedar Tree Campground with her aunt Jackie and cousin Samantha. There is a list of all of the items she needs and readers will enjoy reading about Ernestine’s adventure. We learn about her experiences with packing, driving to the campgrounds, setting up the tent, swimming, hiking, setting up a campfire, having meals, making s'mores, and getting ready for sleep. This is a perfect book for anyone interested in finding out more about camping and being away from home. This book is available on Hoopla as a downloadable audiobook and on Overdrive as a downloadable audiobook. This title is a 2022 Monarch Award nominee.

Reviewed by Liz Glazer, Youth and School Services, Vernon Area Public Library

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like camping except when I have to do it. Once I get there, and we are all unpacked and set up, I like camping. When it is night time, and I am trying to sleep, I do not like camping. The world is a very BIG loud pressing down on me place, threatening to eat up my family. The thin layer of tent between me and IT is not enough, and my Imagination is far too vivid. I do not sleep much while camping. Sometimes it is good to be reminded that we are very small, and the world is very large. (Though just for a tiny time!)

I loved the realities covered in this book. The auntie and the cousin don't ever make fun or negate or belittle our MC's feelings throughout, and that I loved. This is a very different experience for her and she tries lots of new things (vegan hotdogs? swimming with fish? hiking a very looooong time? being without her grownup in a strange place overnight?). I like that she tries. She doesn't always like it, and sometimes she gives up, but she tries.

Many nifty details to explore in the pictures, and things that I would take for granted (like s'mores) are explained. Good on the author for that. Even if you aren't a person who can see yourself going out into the great wide open and camping, please read this and give something new a try!

[superawesomekt · Rating 4 out of 5]

My kids and I loved this picture book in which Ernestine goes camping for the first time with her aunt and cousin. Ernestine's reactions to camping are highly relatable and sometimes humorous, sometimes profound (camping in nature is truly awesome and full of wonder).

I really liked that this book featured in a non-didactic way:
- women camping without men (it does happen!)
- extended family spending time together
- vegan / vegetarian dietary preferences
- a parent in isolation (ambiguous, but very supportive of single / divorced parent scenarios)
- and (this is obvious from the cover) non-white characters

Again, all of these things are handled naturally in the story. You could have taken all of them out and it would not have changed the plot one iota. While there is a place for self-conscious picture books (wait, is there? well, let's be generous and pretend there is), my kids engage best with stories that are truly focused on the story--I wish more authors would integrate diverse families into their stories without preaching. This author was clearly very deliberate in these choices and her execution was perfect. Bravo! Recommended!

Other books that do this equally well, besides the deservedly classic and well-known The Snowy Day, include Sonya's Chickens and the Christmas book Miracle on 133rd Street, both vividly illustrated.

[Cathy Mealey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once upon a time...I looked for picture books about camping to help reassure a slightly nervous child about what to expect when sleeping under the stars. While we giggled through SCAREDY SQUIRREL GOES CAMPING and soaked up the sidebars in S IS FOR S’MORES, neither really addressed the little worries and delightful surprises that we might encounter in a wilderness sleepover.

THE CAMPING TRIP is just the book we needed. You will see how to pack and prepare external gear as well as explore the emotional expectations that a resilient young reader might appreciate. Together you have all you need to maximize the reader's openness, flexibility and enjoyment of the camping experience.

The beautiful, fresh illustrations capture vast vistas, crackling campfires and the thick foliage of wooded trails in a lovely balance of bite-sized snippets and full spreads. Ernestine, the appealing narrator, is a likeable and endearing heroine that we would all enjoying bringing on our trip.

Whether you read THE CAMPING TRIP in a couch-cushion fort, in your own backyard tent, or while immersed in the out-of-doors, I think you will agree that it is a journey well appreciated and enjoyed.

[Leslie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I give this book 3.5 stars because it’s not anything groundbreaking in either the pictures or story. It’s great that it features a black family, but it would be more meaningful if an African-American author/illustrator told the tale.

[Sasha Schumacher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this cute book. Fun camping lists and great story. Very relatable for kids that like camping and are also semi-forced to go camping/hiking.

[Amber · Rating 3 out of 5]

Preschool and school-age
graphic novel-style