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

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)

Cynthia Rylant has created another fine Henry and Mudge story, showcasing a banner event in family life. This title chronicles a summer camping trip. Henry and Mudge marvel at each of the simple camping pleasures: the anticipation, hiking the trail and investigating smells, setting up camp, and enjoying special after-dinner activities. George Guidall's pace allows the listener to savor each moment of the outing, from the first clean, green smells to the solitude of the quiet night. His voice radiates pleasure in this duo of boy and dog. Listen as you plan your own family outing or when you're ready to savor the memories. A.R. © AudioFile 2002, Portland, Maine