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Œuvres de Helen Olsson

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Do you know when and where there are good places to hike? Do you know what to bring with to make sure you are safe and comfortable? Do you know how to be a responsible hiker? Learn these and many other things as you read this book.

This book is recommended for students in grades 3-5. The question and answer format helps the reader with any questions he or she may have about hiking. The only reference aids are an index and table of contents. The information is reliable as it is provided by the National Wildlife Federation. The author uses color illustrations and interesting page layouts to keep the reader engaged.… (plus d'informations)
 
Signalé
SWONclear | 1 autre critique | Nov 19, 2018 |
I recently took the family on a trip up to Shaver Lake. The idea was to not only spend time at the lake, but also visit Yosemite. Unfortunately, the wildfires forced us to change our plans. And while I'm sad that we weren't able to see the wonders within that national park, I'm happy to say we found alternatives. I'm more of an inexperienced hiker, looking to take my kids on mini-adventures. Knowing their limits (as well as my own), I've stuck with easier hikes. And while they've been slightly more challenging than expected, the end result/reward has made it worth it.

I really enjoyed reading through this book. When I saw the title, I expected quality. Ranger Rick magazines were something I grew up with and now my kids are enjoying them. So I had to grab a copy to see if this book would be helpful on our trip. First off, it includes a working compass on the cover. I didn't take it out because it would have required cutting open the inside portion of the cover, but that is an option if you purchase this book.

What's covered in this book? 1) where to go, 2) when to go, 3) what to wear, 4) what to bring, 5) trail etiquette, 6) staying safe, and 7) making it fun. The first section covering "where to go" should give readers a good idea of what regions are behind the inspiration of this book. The map shows the United States as well as Canada. So for international readers, be aware that while this might be a good general hiking book for your kids, there will be sections that don't necessarily apply due to the region you are in. That said, this is still a really well thought out book and worth it for the hiking prep information alone. I really appreciated that there was a section on "when to go" as I've found (for obvious reasons) that our hikes have been better when done in the early part of the morning compared to midday, as well as the season. Hiking through the California desert in February tends to work better than hiking it in August. And what to wear may seem like a no-brainer, but I've taken relatives on hikes where I've worn pants to protect my legs and they've worn shorts to keep cool. Zipper pants probably would have been the best compromise. What to pack includes the obvious (food and water) as well as first aid kits. There's even a recipe for GORP (aka trail mix). What some might not be familiar with is trail etiquette. Honestly, I wasn't truly aware of this until I'd gone through Cub Scouts with my son. Now I have a chance to teach my kids (and their cousins) the same: what you take in you take out, leave no trace. The section on how to stay safe was reassuring not only for me but also some other relatives that were panicking over the idea of hiking. There are good pictures of poison ivy, poison oak, as well as deer and wood ticks. This isn't such an issue if we are hiking on a well-worn trail away from vegetation; however, I did take the kids out multiple times into uncharted territories in the forest. So it was good to know which plants were safe and which ones were not. Tick checks was an automatic when returning home.

So how did we make it fun? Hiking is good exercise but can be a lot of work. Pointing out the view might impress some, but not all. While taking two preteen boys out, I had them stand still for a while and just listen. First the wind, then the birds started and finally we were rewarded with a deer passing us in the distance. Granted, I only saw the fluff on his butt, but the boys saw more. With my kids constantly wanting to stay in a hotel room or cabin with their electronics, I've been more determined than ever to make sure they experience new things. It's a chore to get them ready and out the door, but once we get there, they have fun and when we return, they have a memory that will last them (hopefully) a lifetime. I requested and received a complimentary copy from the publisher, The Quarto Group, in exchange for my honest opinion.
… (plus d'informations)
 
Signalé
santaflash | 1 autre critique | Oct 27, 2018 |
Camping with children can be difficult but Helen offers a simple guide to make the trip more successful for everyone involved. She starts with planning. Planning an outing is a tough thing to teach so instead she offers some points to consider when planning a camping trip. Location is everything and researching the campsite you are going to will ease surprises when you arrive. Prepare your children with fun books about camping and information about activities you can do. For me, gear is the hardest part. Helen has nicely broken down all the parts that make up a great campsite and how to shop for them. She includes bringing along a play tent to keep the kids occupied while you set up. Then comes section 2, arrival at the site. Helen offers an amazing detailed description of setting up a campsite. I don’t think I have ever seen a better manual and I have read a ton of camping books. She offers a chapter on camp food with recipes. Then goes on to offer games and activities to keep children occupied. The book ends with a section on hygiene, first aid and safety. Camping is a daunting activity for any beginner. Add children and camping becomes forbidden. Helen Olsson has created a simple guide to break down those barriers and get the family out into the woods. I can see so much potential for this book from scouting groups, youth groups to just learning to enjoy nature as a family.… (plus d'informations)
 
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SDPogue | 1 autre critique | May 9, 2012 |
I loved this book. It is fun to read and highly informative. If you are new to camping, new to camping with kids or looking for new ideas about how to make camping with kids better then this book is for you. I have recently read several books on camping, cooking while camping and cooking for kids while camping and this is the best out of all of them. The book comes with very helpful lists (I happen to love lists!). The lists are for packing equipment, packing activities for the kids, and packing and preparing food. There are very useful and basic but interesting recipes and food menus. Olsson includes very helpful information about what to do if it is raining/storming, what to do with the hours in between meals and sleeping, what to do on a hike when the kids become tired, what to do if you are far from a bathroom, and what to do when you have unhappy campers. Every page of this book has helpful tips, lists and I found myself highlighting parts on every page. What makes this book even better is Olsson's sense of humor and style of writing. The book opens up with a very funny camping before kids were in her life -- I have recounted that scene to several friends already. Olsson doesn't just give advice, she gives advice with examples of where she or a friend encountered the exact same situation and dealt with it poorly or perfectly. The personal anecdotes make this more than just a how-to-guide. In the end the book is inspiring and helpful. I highly recommend this book for anyone thinking about camping with kids or who regularly camps with kids.… (plus d'informations)
 
Signalé
ReginaR | 1 autre critique | Apr 29, 2012 |

Statistiques

Œuvres
2
Membres
56
Popularité
#291,557
Évaluation
½ 4.5
Critiques
4
ISBN
4

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