From School Library Journal
Kindergarten-Grade 2?Another success from Rylant and Stevenson. Their 17th visit with Mudge and Henry is full of the series' trademark warmth and gentle humor. Here, Henry, his parents, and the family's oversized pup embark on a camping trip. Henry's mother is the outdoorsperson. "She knew all about camping....Henry's dad didn't know anything about camping. He just came with a guitar and a smile." Stevenson's bright, glowing watercolors will delight readers, and they're sure to chortle over the picture of the jubilant dad with guitar in hand. In one chapter, Henry and his parents are linked physically as well as emotionally as they examine the constellations. Meanwhile, Mudge chews on a huge log, oblivious to the stars. "He couldn't get logs this good at home. Mudge loved camping." A shining addition to the series.?Suzanne Hawley, Laurel Oak Elementary School, Naples, FLCopyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From AudioFile
Cynthia Rylant has created another entertaining story in her extensive Henry and Mudge series. The dynamic duo of boy and dog has charmed many young readers; in this story Rylant focuses on the simple pleasures of a camping trip. This subject makes for absorbing read-along material, and narrator Suzanne Toren's kid-friendly pace is also just right: not too slow (boring), but perfectly timed to allow readers a moment to enjoy the funny pictures. Light, entertaining sound effects capturing doggy drool and barked affection add to the fun, while musical expression in the background rounds out the listening experience. J.C.G. © AudioFile 2003, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine


From Booklist
Gr. 1. In the seventeenth Ready-to-Read adventure about Henry and his big dog, Mudge, they go camping with Henry's parents. In the first chapter, they prepare and pack, and Henry imagines the animals they might see, including, maybe, a scary bear. Then they set up camp, and Henry sees wonderful things, including a fish and a deer, a waterfall and a rainbow. In the last chapter, they watch the stars. Always, Mudge is there for Henry, to add to the fun and snuggle up safe and sound with him. Stevenson's warm, active illustrations extend the gentle words, the physicalness of the pet story, the sense of connection in a solitary place. Hazel Rochman


From Kirkus Reviews
Rylant (Henry and Mudge and the Sneaky Crackers, 1998, etc.) slips into a sentimental mode for this latest outing of the boy and his dog, as she sends Mudge and Henry and his parents off on a camping trip. Each character is attended to, each personality sketched in a few brief words: Henry's mother is the camping veteran with outdoor savvy; Henry's father doesn't know a tent stake from a marshmallow fork, but he's got a guitar for campfire entertainment; and the principals are their usual ready-for-fun selves. There are sappy moments, e.g., after an evening of star- gazing, Rylant sends the family off to bed with: ``Everyone slept safe and sound and there were no bears, no scares. Just the clean smell of trees . . . and wonderful green dreams.'' With its nice tempo, the story is as toasty as its campfire and swaddled in Stevenson's trusty artwork. (Fiction. 6-8) -- Copyright ©1998, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.


Book Description
In this seventeenth book of their adventures, Henry and Mudge go camping with Henry's parents. They'll go on hikes and smell good smells. They'll see deer and raccoons and waterfalls and rainbows. Henry's mother will cook camp food and Henry's father will sing sappy old songs, and they'll all lie on their backs and look at the stars (except for Mudge -- he'll chew on a log, instead). And at the end of a perfect day, Henry and Mudge will snuggle in their tent and dream wonderful green dreams.


Card catalog description
Henry, his dog Mudge, and his parents go on a quiet camping trip to Big Bear Lake, enjoying the clean smell of trees and wonderful green dreams.

ANNOTATION

Henry, his dog Mudge, and his parents go on a quiet camping trip to Big Bear Lake, enjoying the clean smell of trees and wonderful green dreams.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Henry and his dog, Mudge, are going camping with Henry's parents on beautiful Big Bear Lake. Will they see--gulp!--a bear? Full color.

FROM THE CRITICS

Children's Literature - Marilyn Courtot

The whole family is going camping and Henry is excited. His Mom was a campfire girl and she really knows her stuff. Henry's Dad just comes along for the fun. They hike, pitch their tent by the side of a lake and roast hot dogs over an open fire. At nightfall, they lay back and enjoy looking at the star filled sky. Then they all snuggle up in the tent for a good night's sleep. Seventeenth in the adventures of Henry and Mudge, this is another delightful slice of life. A "Ready-to-Read" level 2 book.

School Library Journal

K-Gr 2Another success from Rylant and Stevenson. Their 17th visit with Mudge and Henry is full of the series' trademark warmth and gentle humor. Here, Henry, his parents, and the family's oversized pup embark on a camping trip. Henry's mother is the outdoorsperson. "She knew all about camping....Henry's dad didn't know anything about camping. He just came with a guitar and a smile." Stevenson's bright, glowing watercolors will delight readers, and they're sure to chortle over the picture of the jubilant dad with guitar in hand. In one chapter, Henry and his parents are linked physically as well as emotionally as they examine the constellations. Meanwhile, Mudge chews on a huge log, oblivious to the stars. "He couldn't get logs this good at home. Mudge loved camping." A shining addition to the series.Suzanne Hawley, Laurel Oak Elementary School, Naples, FL

School Library Journal

PreS-Gr 3-Cynthia Rylant's 17th Henry and Mudge adventure ((S&S, 1998) follows the boy-and-dog pair as they visit Big Bear Lake on a family camping trip. The three brief chapters and charming illustrations include all the ingredients that beginning readers have come to expect from this Ready-to-Read series. Characters are given clear personal attributes: Henry is fun-loving, yet a bit nervous about bears; Mudge is doggedly reassuring and rambunctious; Henry's mother is a former Camp Fire Girl; and Henry's dad makes up for his hopeless outdoor skills with his humor and guitar harmonies. Suzanne Toren's narration flows smoothly and leisurely, allowing listeners to follow along at a beginner's pace. Her voicing conveys amusement and affection, while clearly marking dialogue through varied character intonations. Most impressive are the background audio effects. The idyllic surrounds are suggested by pastoral musical interludes throughout the production. Mudge is characterized by appropriately placed doggy panting and by paws pacing from the left to right headphones. Cynthia Rylant's text and Sucie Stevenson's illustrations are given constant reinforcement with audio clues to enhance beginning readers' comprehension. Listeners hear Henry's dad playing the opening notes of "Love Me Tender" on his guitar in response to the text, the campfire crackles, and crickets chirp as the family sleeps under the twinkling stars and share green dreams together. This audio presentation enhances an already delightful story.-Mary Burkey, Grandview Heights City Schools, OH Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.

AudioFile

Cynthia Rylant has created another entertaining story in her extensive Henry and Mudge series. The dynamic duo of boy and dog has charmed many young readers; in this story Rylant focuses on the simple pleasures of a camping trip. This subject makes for absorbing read-along material, and narrator Suzanne Toren's kid-friendly pace is also just right: not too slow (boring), but perfectly timed to allow readers a moment to enjoy the funny pictures. Light, entertaining sound effects capturing doggy drool and barked affection add to the fun, while musical expression in the background rounds out the listening experience. J.C.G. (c) AudioFile 2003, Portland, Maine

Kirkus Reviews

Rylant (Henry and Mudge and the Sneaky Crackers, 1998, etc.) slips into a sentimental mode for this latest outing of the boy and his dog, as she sends Mudge and Henry and his parents off on a camping trip. Each character is attended to, each personality sketched in a few brief words: Henry's mother is the camping veteran with outdoor savvy; Henry's father doesn't know a tent stake from a marshmallow fork, but he's got a guitar for campfire entertainment; and the principals are their usual ready-for-fun selves. There are sappy moments, e.g., after an evening of star- gazing, Rylant sends the family off to bed with: "Everyone slept safe and sound and there were no bears, no scares. Just the clean smell of trees . . . and wonderful green dreams." With its nice tempo, the story is as toasty as its campfire and swaddled in Stevenson's trusty artwork. (Fiction. 6-8)