Bailey Goes Camping

Bailey Goes Camping by Kevin Henkes

Picture Book for Children Ages 3-7

4 out of 5 stars

Bailey’s older brother and sister are off for an overnight camping trip and Bailey has to be left at home. After moping around for a few hours, Bailey’s parents help her realize that she can have all the same fun of a campout right at home!

Bailey Goes Camping is a fun book for young readers. The story and the text are both fairly simple with the pictures representing what the text states along with the emotions of the characters of the story. The emotions of the characters in the story are not explained in the text, but are in the illustrations. For example, the first page of the book explains how Bailey’s older brother and sister are “Bunny Scouts” and are going camping and Bailey has to stay home. The two older Bunny siblings are shown dressed in the “Bunny Scout” uniforms smiling. Bailey however, who has a frown upon his face and is in his mother’s arms, is clearly unhappy. As the story unfolds, the different emotions of the bunnies in the story, particularly Bailey’s, are easily seen and also change as Bailey and his parents embark on a campout themselves without ever leaving the house.

I would use this book in my classroom if I taught a primary grade-level class. The story is fun and enjoyable, but it is also very simple. Simple is great for young students and young readers, but is insulting for the middle and upper elementary grades. I remember having my Media Specialist read my 5^th grade class the story Fluffy Bunny and we all thought that the teacher thought we were dumb and not good readers due to the level of the book being read to us. But I would like to add Bailey Goes Camping to own personal library if I were to teach a primary grade level. The story and illustrations encourage imagination, which is something that many kids lack these days. After reading this story with the kids, I could have them think of something that they have always wanted to do, but have always been told that they were too young to do it. After they have come up with that something, I would have them draw an illustration of how they could make it work in the home or what they think it would be like to actual get to do whatever it is they have never been allowed to do before. Then I would have the class share their drawings. Regardless of whether I use this story as an assignment in my class, I would like it to be in my classroom library for students to be able to read during free read as I think they will like it and it will spark their imaginations!

To read more of Bailey's adventures or about the adventures of the mouse clan, check out Kevin Henke's website!