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).
Main Focus: New things can be scary, but they can be really wonderful when you try them.
Questions:
– Had Ernestine ever been camping before?
– What things did they do on the long drive to Cedar Tree Campground?
– I wonder why didn’t Ernestine want to swim at first?
– I wonder why Ernestine’s feet became tired on the hike?
– I wonder if Ernestine had ever had S’mores before?
– I wonder why Ernestine was willing to go swimming on the second day?
– Did Ernestine want to go camping again? How do you know?
Activity: Try something adventurous and new. (Maybe a “sleep over” at a grandparent’s? or go camping?) Draw pictures of the things you have done that are similar to what Ernestine did. Have S’more mix.