Module 13: Camp Babymouse
Summary

Babymouse is sure that she is going to conquer all in her first camp experience, but she quickly discovers that things are more challenging then she ever imagined.  Her bravado and confidence get chipped away as finds it difficult to do all the typical camp activities like archery, canoeing, and being out in nature.  She even finds it difficult to win over her cabin mates, who she thought would love having her as a room mate.  Just when you think poor Babymouse can't salvage her camp experience she finds a way to turn things around, and learns some valuable lessons along the way.  This is the sixth book in the Babymouse series by Jennifer and Matthew Holm, and young readers will cheer for Babymouse as she conquers her fears and ends up having a wonderful time at camp.

Holm, J. & Holm, M. (2007). Camp Babymouse. New York, Random House.

Impressions

This book gives the reader another reason to cheer Babymouse's optimistic spirit and determination. Things don't always go her way, but she gives her best try and finds that the right attitude and hard work can turn things around.  I can see why young readers like this character.  I think they can identify with her fears and tendency to make mistakes.  She makes it ok to mess up and work your way through problems.  Her character can help reassure children as they venture into new and intimidating situations, giving them courage to try their best.  She learns the value of being a good friend and how to work with others to get things done.  This graphic novel is easy to read even for young elementary students, but the story stays interesting and the pictures support the text throughout.  The pictures and text work well together to help young readers comprehend the plot from beginning to end.

Professional Review

Babymouse is going to camp for the first time and she is deterined that she is going to have a wonderful and fantastic time.  She is going to the star of the camp she is sure.  In fact she sees herself as being "Scout Babymouse," the one who will save the day when everyone else is lost and miserable.  Of course Babymouse is letting her imagination run away with her just a little--as usual.  When she actually gets to camp she finds that the real camp experience is a little different from the one that she created in her imagination.

For one thing, Babymouse is not the instant success that she expected to be.  She is a bit of a klutz and this does not endear her to her cabin mates.  The, to make matters worse, she keeps earning demerits because she just doesn't seem to be cut out for canoeing, archery, walking in the woods, and nature hikes.  Poor Babymouse's camp experience gets worse and worse no matter how hard she tries.  Perhaps the time has come to call home and give up.  Perhaps Babymouse just isn't cut out to be "Scout Babymouse" after all.

Babymouse fans will not be disappointed when the dive into this new Babymouse adventure.  Poor Babymouse really gets into a sticky situation this time and for anyone who is thinking about going to camp for the first time this book is the perfect read.  Without a doubt, going to camp can be difficult for anyone, but after reading this book a first timer will soon see that if Babymouse can manage it anyone can!  After all, poor Babymouse makes more mistakes than any one person could possibly manage to do.

With her delightful trips into her own imagination and her "conversations" with the reader--which are both hilarious and at times caring--this Babymouse tale is a delight to read.  Its pink, black, and white graphic novel format is completely unique and without a doubt Babymouse is a character readers of all ages will find hard not to fall in love with, for she is so much like us--full of dreams, hopes, flaws, and wonderful qualities that we can admire.

Jansen-Gruber, M. (2010, April 27). [Review of the book Camp Babymouse, by J. Holm,and M. Holm]. Retrieved from http://lookingglassreview.com/books/camp-babymouse/
Library Uses

This book would be good for use when studying cause and effect, character traits and sequencing.  Her actions clearly lead the plot and young readers should be able to identify how they lead to other events in the story.  Her character grows as the story progresses and it should lead to good discussions about how her personal growth helped change her camp experience.  The graphics help lead the reader through the story and could provide a template for students to create their own, more abbreviated, graphic story.  This could be differentiated using apps on the iPad or materials in the makerspace areas.  Students could then present an alternate ending to Camp Babymouse or their own graphic text story.