Camping + Outdoorsy Books for Kids

Get ready!  Camping and s'more season is upon us.... (unless you live at 7000 feet and then you may still be digging out from under the snow.)

One of our favorite wedding gifts - a moveable fire pit (so we can avoid the wind!)

Since books are a love of mine that I work hard to share with my kids, I thought I would highlight a couple of our summer favorites!

A great book full of poems all about camping.  It will make you want to pack up and head out.  This is the one I plan on bringing this summer to read to the boys in the tent or around the campfire.

My favorite poem from the book (because s'mores are an integral part of camping, of course!):

Toasting Marshmallows

                                                                            BY KRISTINE O'CONNELL GEORGE

I am a careful marshmallow toaster,

a patient marshmallow roaster,

turning my stick oh-so-slowly,

taking my time, checking often.

This is art---

a time of serious reflection

as my pillowed confection

slowly reaches golden perfection.

 

My brother

            grabs ‘em with grubby hands

                        shoves ‘em on the stick

                                    burns ‘em to a crisp

                                                cools ‘em off

                                                            flicks soot

                                                                        eats quick.

 

I’m still turning my stick.

He’s already eaten six.

*Guest Post* Fall is Better Than Spring + Book Review

We were out backpacking this fall when a friend of mine asked a question. “What do you like better? Spring or fall?” I looked around me. Birch trees, cottonwood trees, fireweed, and cranberry bushes, all shining their best fall colors. The air smelled sweet of berries and felt crisp on our faces. What could be better? “Fall”, I shouted out, “fall is my favorite.” Then a kid piped up, “I like spring better because then I know summer is coming.” Touché. Leave it to a kid to be logical about the matter. But to say spring is better than fall because summer follows spring implies that winter is the lesser of the seasons. This is where I beg to differ.