Ellie Camps Under the Stars

Ellie Camps Under the Stars

Elle Fair/Marci Fair:

Assistant Editor: Chloe Fair

Cover and Layout Designer: Nelly Murariu

Imagine sleeping under the stars and learning more about the world around you. Ellie and Pudgy are two friends and they both enjoy playing outside. Appreciating the plants, animals and the Earth is what makes nature so special. In order to learn more about the world and outside they decided to go on a camping trip in order to sleep outside under the stars. How cool is that! Packing their essentials for the trip they ventured out on a hike to find the perfect campsite. They found one with green grass and trees that were really tall. Putting up their tent took work. Elle laughed when the wind blew the tent upside down. At the end of the page the authors ask a question of readers about there the top of the tent should be. Patience is what was needed and the tent was in place. After Ellie and Pudgy unrolled their sleeping bags, they put out their camping gear and climbed into their tent. Sure looks warm and toasty.

Setting up the tent took time but next they would venture out on a hike in the woods. Birds chirped and bugs buzzed and they had to think about whether they were strong enough for a long hike. Being wise and realizing that overdoing it the first time might not be a good idea they decided on a short one. They saw rocks that were many sizes some small and others big enough to climb. Answer the question about rocks on the bottom of the page. Next they saw a small bridge and a secret path. The adventure was beginning as the climbed up the log stars to see what they might find. Check out the scenery on pages 10 and 11. You won’t believe what they found. A wooden bridge, hear the wind whistle through the trees, check out the gorgeous creek and a bridge and you won’t believe what came to welcome them. You have to see it for yourself. The day came to an end and it was time to walk back to their campsite. Nature was alive and magnificent with all the bugs, birds and more that they talked about. Next it was time to eat and Pudgy was in charge of preparing the great on page 13. Cleaning up site after dinner showed that they were responsible and cared about the animals living nearby so they would not eat things that would hurt them. Game time after dinner. Won’t you join them on pages 14 and 15! One of my favorite deserts when I went camping as a teen was making S’mores. Can you smell the marshmallows and the chocolate?

Time for bed so they turned on their flashlights and some great animal friends joined them. Check out which ones on page 18 and read everyone’ favorite before bed poem on page 19.

Every book that both Elle and Marci write and every story have a specific learning message. Besides nature we are now going to check out the constellations, the stars and see Orion and the Big Dipper in the night sky. Checking them out more they decided to read their favorite books? They want to know what book is your favorite one to read before going to sleep. Last night it was Ellie Camps Under the Stars! Sleep time and hearing the night sounds and dreaming about their fun. On page 24 we meet a cute bird that they made friends with and then Pudgy being my kind of Penguin prepared a healthy breakfast and cleaned up again making it safe for everyone. The breathtaking views on pages 26 and 27 will make all readers want to join them on this next hike in the woods. The waterfall is magnificent and the cool water splashing on Ellie ticked her. Hiking over rocks, Listening to the roaring and crashing sounds. Can what is making the noise? They really loved the waterfall? What do you think the waterfall spray felt like? They left the waterfall and they checked out the view from the top of the mountains. The view from the valley below looked like a blanket of green covering the mountains. Smell the fresh air. There is much more the path behind the rock and they came through the woods and you won’t believe what they saw. Would you believe they were so high up they looked like they could touch the clouds. Ellie and Pudgy learned that starting out with a small hike was smart and then learning that they found the courage to do a longer one and trying something new. How many new things have your tried with a friend? They learned many lessons that we can all learn from: they are stronger than they thought and that nature was amazing and beautiful and this experience would never fade away. The authors add in several games for readers to play and some suggestions for how you can create your won adventures for your friends. The power of a camera is endless. Join them and send them your photos and the names of your friendly animals. At the end they add a section for parents, teachers, discussion leaders, camp leaders and scout leaders dealing with: How can we teach our children to respect and protect nature? Read the many suggestions and join our two special friends on their camping trip and on their next adventure. Once again the authors created a book for children of all ages to learn about the great outdoors from Pudgy and Ellie.

Fran Lewis: Just reviews/MJ magazine

Let’s give this adventure: FIVE DELICOUS CHOCOLATE S’MORES!