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Postcards from Camp
The hilarious correspondence between a reluctant first-time camper and his dad
This fabulously creative book by Caldecott Award winner Simms Taback features handmade postcards and funny letters that readers will enjoy pulling out of their envelopes. Michael is new to sleepaway camp, and it's not going so well. He thinks his counselor is an alien, his bunkmates are pranksters, and it's constantly raining. So he sends his dad a series of urgent notes pleading for rescue. His dad is quick to reply, but encourages Michael to stick it out, reminding him that he met some of his best buddies at camp. Eventually there is a subtle change in Michael's tone - and a mention of a friend or two. Before you know it, Michael's a happy camper who's planning a longer stay next time.
Fans of Griffin & Sabine and The Jolly Postman will delight in the artistry of this book; the incredibly detailed cards and envelopes and amazing stamps. And they will enjoy taking part in a correspondence that reveals a deep affection between father and child, as Michael's exaggerated pleas are answered by his father's gentle jokes and advice. Here is a book that families and friends will enjoy together - and there's even a classic campfire ghost story tucked into one of those envelopes!
This fabulously creative book by Caldecott Award winner Simms Taback features handmade postcards and funny letters that readers will enjoy pulling out of their envelopes. Michael is new to sleepaway camp, and it's not going so well. He thinks his counselor is an alien, his bunkmates are pranksters, and it's constantly raining. So he sends his dad a series of urgent notes pleading for rescue. His dad is quick to reply, but encourages Michael to stick it out, reminding him that he met some of his best buddies at camp. Eventually there is a subtle change in Michael's tone - and a mention of a friend or two. Before you know it, Michael's a happy camper who's planning a longer stay next time.
Fans of Griffin & Sabine and The Jolly Postman will delight in the artistry of this book; the incredibly detailed cards and envelopes and amazing stamps. And they will enjoy taking part in a correspondence that reveals a deep affection between father and child, as Michael's exaggerated pleas are answered by his father's gentle jokes and advice. Here is a book that families and friends will enjoy together - and there's even a classic campfire ghost story tucked into one of those envelopes!
40 pages, Hardcover
First published June 30, 2011
4 people are currently reading
151 people want to read
About the author
Simms Taback
80Ìýbooks62ÌýfollowersSimms Taback was an American writer, graphic artist, and illustrator of more than 35 books. He won the 2000 Caldecott Medal for U.S. picture book illustration, recognizing Joseph Had a Little Overcoat, and was a runner-up in 1998 for There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 82 reviews
July 31, 2011
In the timeless fashion of those who can afford to do so, his family sends Michael Stevens off to camp. He is less than thrilled with the idea, and a fast-paced campaign to return home ensues with Michael and his father corresponding. (It's wonderful that it's Dad whose letters are included here and not Mom'.) I loved the idea of the book's design with postcards with original artwork on the front and messages on the back as well as envelopes with letters tucked inside. (As a sidenote, I once had a college boyfriend who would spend hours drawing or cutting from magazines the perfect envelope design for the letters he would send to me. I was kind of impressed that he took that much pains with an envelope. Would that he had taken the same kind of care with our relationship.) The paper is quite sturdy so the letters should be able to withstand lots of use. I also loved the cool stamps that often fit the letters' content and the drawings on the envelope; for instance, on one letter about possible alligators at the camp, the stamps feature a catfish and a T. rex. "A Campfire Ghost Story," sent to Michael by his father was scary but amusing at the same time and certainly sounded like the kind of story the boy would enjoy.
But the letters aren't particularly revealing or original--perhaps that's the beauty here, the universality of the camp experience--and eventually, Michael starts to enjoy the experience so much he plans to return next year. The bunk mates who he hated so much turn out to be not so bad, judging from the fact that he sends them a postcard after he goes home. Sometimes, it seems as though neither writer is actually reading the letters or postcards sent by the other one since the connections between pieces of mail is not always clear. There will be some reading between the lines down here, but it's clear that for Michael, this was a risk that was worth taking. I wonder if those who have never been to camp will have a clue about any of Michael's anxieties.
But the letters aren't particularly revealing or original--perhaps that's the beauty here, the universality of the camp experience--and eventually, Michael starts to enjoy the experience so much he plans to return next year. The bunk mates who he hated so much turn out to be not so bad, judging from the fact that he sends them a postcard after he goes home. Sometimes, it seems as though neither writer is actually reading the letters or postcards sent by the other one since the connections between pieces of mail is not always clear. There will be some reading between the lines down here, but it's clear that for Michael, this was a risk that was worth taking. I wonder if those who have never been to camp will have a clue about any of Michael's anxieties.
October 12, 2017
This book features a playful exchange of letters between a father and a son. The son (who is named Michael) initially complained to his father about summer camp. Harry, the father, wrote back to Michael and encouraged him to try to have fun. After this, Michael began to make friends and actually enjoyed being at camp. Harry and Michael continued to write to each other during the duration of summer camp. In the end, Michael is thankful he attended camp and got to know many new people.
The theme of this book is: learning to embrace new experiences. I think it’s great how the author told the story through a series of postcards. Learning about Michael’s time at camp this way made the reading experience seem much more interactive and realistic (especially since I was able to take out some of the letters out of the book to read them). I recommend this book for elementary and middle school students. Reading about Michael’s experiences may inspire them to try new things and to see changes with a positive outlook.
The theme of this book is: learning to embrace new experiences. I think it’s great how the author told the story through a series of postcards. Learning about Michael’s time at camp this way made the reading experience seem much more interactive and realistic (especially since I was able to take out some of the letters out of the book to read them). I recommend this book for elementary and middle school students. Reading about Michael’s experiences may inspire them to try new things and to see changes with a positive outlook.
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October 2, 2020Summary: This book was written by Simms Taback and story is told through post cards being written back and forth between a father and his son, Michael. Michael goes off to camp and is really not excited about going but over the course of the book readers find that he loved camp. This creative book features handmade and funny letters that readers are able to pull out of their envelopes.
Analysis: The first thing that came to mind while reading this book was “this is so creative and unique.� This book creates a fun way for children to read and also interact with the book. I loved the illustrations because they were so fun and really truly told the story. Since the book was written through postcards the pictures were an important aspect to the story.
How I could use in classroom: I feel like this would be a great interactive book and could be helpful in getting children to follow along. I also think this book could be used to teach children how to write letters and maybe we could make a postcard of our own.
Analysis: The first thing that came to mind while reading this book was “this is so creative and unique.� This book creates a fun way for children to read and also interact with the book. I loved the illustrations because they were so fun and really truly told the story. Since the book was written through postcards the pictures were an important aspect to the story.
How I could use in classroom: I feel like this would be a great interactive book and could be helpful in getting children to follow along. I also think this book could be used to teach children how to write letters and maybe we could make a postcard of our own.
June 25, 2022
I read this book while my 13 YO son is at sleep away camp for the first time. Much like the main character in the book, Michael Stevens� my son was nervous to go away. I was drawn to all of the collage postcards and crafted letters. These tangible, handheld pieces inspire my own work with collage and zines. In fact I want to create a postcard for E. now, inspired by this book.
This book also serves as a good example of postcards that tell stories, bit by bit in their brief and poetic prose
This book inspires me in many ways—as a mother, a teacher, writer and artist.
Used from Goodwill
This book also serves as a good example of postcards that tell stories, bit by bit in their brief and poetic prose
This book inspires me in many ways—as a mother, a teacher, writer and artist.
Used from Goodwill
August 4, 2019
Taback takes the typical storyline of the anticipated terrible time at summer camp and puts a fresh twist on it by telling it through postcards between father and son. One of the things I really love about this book is the fact that some of the pages include an envelope and you pull the letter out, just like it was real mail.
For the full review:
For the full review:
February 15, 2021
This was such a fun, hands-on book to read! Postcards from camp contains letters and stories that the reader can physically take out of the book and read. When dad sends his son to camp, the son dreads it, but through adventure and making friends, camp doesn't turn out to be that bad after all!
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August 27, 2022I love this, mail!
December 29, 2024
Loved the interactive letters in this one
October 7, 2014
Postcards from Camp is a story about a boy, Michael Stevens off to his first away camp. Michael does not want to go to camp, but his father insists that he go because he went when he was younger and absolutely loves it. Michael writes letters and postcards to his dad at home about what is going on at camp and his experiences. At first, the postcards tell stories about how terrible his bunkmates are and how much he hates camp, and his dad sends letters in response ignoring the negativity from his son. Throughout the letters in the story, Michael’s attitude toward camp begins to change, and he is actually beginning to enjoy it.
This book is a great way to teach students how to communicate through writing. After reading the story, students could write their own letters to their parents, learning how to address them properly, and send them home. It might be a good time to bring up a class discussion about summer camp or away camps that students have been to, and the things that they did during camp, and whether or not they got homesick. Hopefully a book like this encourages children to write letters and send postcards to their family for holidays, birthdays, or just to say hello. It is not only fun to send letters, but getting another back from someone you sent one to is the best feeling in the world.
This book is a great way to teach students how to communicate through writing. After reading the story, students could write their own letters to their parents, learning how to address them properly, and send them home. It might be a good time to bring up a class discussion about summer camp or away camps that students have been to, and the things that they did during camp, and whether or not they got homesick. Hopefully a book like this encourages children to write letters and send postcards to their family for holidays, birthdays, or just to say hello. It is not only fun to send letters, but getting another back from someone you sent one to is the best feeling in the world.
December 14, 2014
Citations: Taback, S. (2011). Postcards from camp. New York, N.Y. Nancy Paulsen Books.
Genre: Comedy
Format: Picture book
Reading level: 4
Theme/topic: Trying something new/ Going to camp
Gender: Male
Summary:
Postcards from camp is a unique and clever book of postcards sent between a father and son when the son was away at camp. At first the son seems apprehensive and he didn’t want to be at camp but his father kept encouraging him to try new things. The son tries to play tricks on his dad and he sends letters pretending to be a camp staff member and asked his father to come pick him up early. He also sent letters about how he is being tortured and that his father must get him immediately. After awhile the son gets involved and loves camp so much that he doesn’t even want to leave and you can tell because his letters are much more engaged and he talks about how much fun he is having. The next summer the son goes to camp and stays there all summer long. Simms Taback had written and illustrated this book in a very creative way with 3D envelopes and letters the reader can take out and read.
In class activity: This is a great way to introduce letter writing to your class. The teacher can have students create their own postcards and actually send them off in the mail.
Genre: Comedy
Format: Picture book
Reading level: 4
Theme/topic: Trying something new/ Going to camp
Gender: Male
Summary:
Postcards from camp is a unique and clever book of postcards sent between a father and son when the son was away at camp. At first the son seems apprehensive and he didn’t want to be at camp but his father kept encouraging him to try new things. The son tries to play tricks on his dad and he sends letters pretending to be a camp staff member and asked his father to come pick him up early. He also sent letters about how he is being tortured and that his father must get him immediately. After awhile the son gets involved and loves camp so much that he doesn’t even want to leave and you can tell because his letters are much more engaged and he talks about how much fun he is having. The next summer the son goes to camp and stays there all summer long. Simms Taback had written and illustrated this book in a very creative way with 3D envelopes and letters the reader can take out and read.
In class activity: This is a great way to introduce letter writing to your class. The teacher can have students create their own postcards and actually send them off in the mail.
February 16, 2013
Winner of the 2013 Texas Bluebonnet Award
I was very eagar to read this picture book when I read that it won the Texas Bluebonnet Award. I was saddened to find out that Simms Taback had died and will not be able to accept this award voted on and presented by students. This book was like a biography of my experience at Camp El Tesoro (Camp Fire Girls)when I was nine years old.
Michael Stevens shares his first time camp experiences with his dad through postcards and letters. He is a very relectant camper and describes his counselor as an alien, believes his bunk mates are playing tricks on him and believes it will never stop raining. In his first postcard, he asks his dad to come and get him. His dad responds with positive correspondence and advice and tells him how he meet some of his best friends at camp. As their letters and postcards continue Michael becomes more comfortable and reports his fun experiences. At the end of the book, Michael is planning to return to camp the following year and to spend the whole summer at camp. The inactive format of actual letters in envelopes in addition to the brightly created postcards is a real draw to readers.
I was very eagar to read this picture book when I read that it won the Texas Bluebonnet Award. I was saddened to find out that Simms Taback had died and will not be able to accept this award voted on and presented by students. This book was like a biography of my experience at Camp El Tesoro (Camp Fire Girls)when I was nine years old.
Michael Stevens shares his first time camp experiences with his dad through postcards and letters. He is a very relectant camper and describes his counselor as an alien, believes his bunk mates are playing tricks on him and believes it will never stop raining. In his first postcard, he asks his dad to come and get him. His dad responds with positive correspondence and advice and tells him how he meet some of his best friends at camp. As their letters and postcards continue Michael becomes more comfortable and reports his fun experiences. At the end of the book, Michael is planning to return to camp the following year and to spend the whole summer at camp. The inactive format of actual letters in envelopes in addition to the brightly created postcards is a real draw to readers.
July 16, 2017
After begrudgingly going to summer camp, Michael explicitly informs his father through a series of postcard he sends throughout the week. Through the quirky and exaggerated postcard illustrations and dialogue, we learn how Michael is force fed vegetables by his alien counselor and disliked by his bunkmates. However, despite the bad news, his father counters his negative experience with advice to help Michael survive the camp week. Will Michael have a turnaround in his currently dreadful camp week?
These intriguing postcards address the struggles many children encounter when put in an unfamiliar environment. Further, the book emphasizes universality in experiences as well as being optimistic and having courage when trying new things.
Being that the story is dependent upon the insightful illustrations and hand written dialogue through postcards, it would only be suiting to introduce postcards as additional writing format for students. One teacher utilized this book at the beginning of the school year by asking her students to create their own postcard highlighting something they experienced over the summer.
These intriguing postcards address the struggles many children encounter when put in an unfamiliar environment. Further, the book emphasizes universality in experiences as well as being optimistic and having courage when trying new things.
Being that the story is dependent upon the insightful illustrations and hand written dialogue through postcards, it would only be suiting to introduce postcards as additional writing format for students. One teacher utilized this book at the beginning of the school year by asking her students to create their own postcard highlighting something they experienced over the summer.
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February 25, 2015Postcards From Camp is a story about a young boy's first experience at an overnight camp. He is hesitant to go but his father insists he goes because it was a great experience from his youth. Michael writes letters and postcards when he is away about all the experiences he has. The first few stories are about how terrible the bunkmates are and how much he hates camp. His dad writes letters back, ignoring the negativity from his son. Throughout the letters in the story, Michael's attitude of camp begins to change and he starts to actually like camp.
This book is a great way to teach students how to communicate through writing letters. Most kids don't understand the art of letter writing these days, so this book presents a fun way of writing letters. The children can imagine they are at summer camp, writing a letter back home to their family or friends. The students can learn its not only fun to send letters, but getting one back is so fun too!
This book is a great way to teach students how to communicate through writing letters. Most kids don't understand the art of letter writing these days, so this book presents a fun way of writing letters. The children can imagine they are at summer camp, writing a letter back home to their family or friends. The students can learn its not only fun to send letters, but getting one back is so fun too!
February 26, 2015
"Postcards from Camp" is a story filled with postcards about a boys experience at an overnight camp. Each page is filled with postcards from the boy to his father. At first, the boy, Michael, writes postcards filled with the troubles of camp. He rants about the terrible bunkmates to his father. However, Michael's father continues to write back and encourages Michael to give camp a try. Eventually, Michael begins to like camp.
The theme is this book is to give everything a chance and be openminded about experiences.
A classroom idea is to read this story and then have students create their own postcards. The postcard can be from a place they have visited or want to visit. The postcard will include a letter about their experience or potential experience at this place. The teacher will collect the postcards and put them in a binder. This will be a class binder filled with postcards that students can look at during free time.
The theme is this book is to give everything a chance and be openminded about experiences.
A classroom idea is to read this story and then have students create their own postcards. The postcard can be from a place they have visited or want to visit. The postcard will include a letter about their experience or potential experience at this place. The teacher will collect the postcards and put them in a binder. This will be a class binder filled with postcards that students can look at during free time.
February 26, 2015
Michael goes to sleep-away camp for the first time. The story follows the correspondence between himself and his father in a creative, interactive way. At first Michael seems to be having a miserable time but his father continues to reassure him and put a positive twist on his bad attitude. While Michael doesn't think he will have a good time; his dad turns out to be right and Michael is sad to leave at the end of the summer.
Theme: Homesickness, friendship, parent relationships
Classroom Activity: Since the entire book revolves around postcards, have each of your students write a postcard but to another student in the class. Have them write about their favorite summer memory and draw a picture. Have the students responded to each other and then present them in front of the class.
This would be a good lesson to do at the beginning of school to help transition from the summer and have the students become comfortable around one another.
Theme: Homesickness, friendship, parent relationships
Classroom Activity: Since the entire book revolves around postcards, have each of your students write a postcard but to another student in the class. Have them write about their favorite summer memory and draw a picture. Have the students responded to each other and then present them in front of the class.
This would be a good lesson to do at the beginning of school to help transition from the summer and have the students become comfortable around one another.
September 1, 2012
The idea is simple: Michael doesn't want to go to camp, but since his father had such a fun time at camp as a kid, he's forcing Michael to go. Through postcards and letters, the reader sees Michael's experiences and his change in attitude towards camp.
While the idea may be normal, the presentation of the story is not. The writing is minimal (backs of postcards and a few letters), the colors are bright, and the drawings are detailed. Young readers will enjoy pulling out the letters from the envelops and the briefness of the postcards. Older readers will enjoy the dad's humor in his postcards that play off of Michael's complaints in the previous letter.
I am glad to see this title on the 2012-2013 Bluebonnet List because I know the kids in my library will love this book. I just hope they put the little letters back in the envelop for the next reader to enjoy.
While the idea may be normal, the presentation of the story is not. The writing is minimal (backs of postcards and a few letters), the colors are bright, and the drawings are detailed. Young readers will enjoy pulling out the letters from the envelops and the briefness of the postcards. Older readers will enjoy the dad's humor in his postcards that play off of Michael's complaints in the previous letter.
I am glad to see this title on the 2012-2013 Bluebonnet List because I know the kids in my library will love this book. I just hope they put the little letters back in the envelop for the next reader to enjoy.
April 30, 2014
Taback shares the essence and spirit of summer camp in his book Postcards from Camp. The book is told through the exchange of postcards from father and son while. The postcards and letters are interactive and hilarious. Steven, the son, writes to his dad about how much he hates camp and his bunkmates as they’ve been picking on him. At one point Steven sends his dad a ransom note from his bunkmates demanding his father to come and get him. This book is not only entertaining, but tells a story in a unique way. This book would be a great tool when teaching students about writing letters and addressing envelopes. Students could send letters home, to each other to as practice, or write letters to Steven. The book is a fun way to talk about letters and communicating through writing. It is a unique and excellent addition to any classroom library.
July 5, 2011
Wow. How could I be the first one to be writing something? I wonder if there is another version I missed.
Anyway. This is an epistolary novel between a son and his dad. LOVED the artwork. Loved the postcards. Loved the letters. Loved the story. Pretty much loved the entire thing.
Two concerns, though, I'll admit. 1)The letters inside envelopes. These can be troublesome in a library. You're trying to check in a couple hundred books ... who has time to check each envelope and make sure the letter was replaced? Or then track down the child and point out one was missing and then have them find it? 2)Some of the letters/postcards are in cursive. This will leave some kids out because they won't be able to read them.
Anyway. This is an epistolary novel between a son and his dad. LOVED the artwork. Loved the postcards. Loved the letters. Loved the story. Pretty much loved the entire thing.
Two concerns, though, I'll admit. 1)The letters inside envelopes. These can be troublesome in a library. You're trying to check in a couple hundred books ... who has time to check each envelope and make sure the letter was replaced? Or then track down the child and point out one was missing and then have them find it? 2)Some of the letters/postcards are in cursive. This will leave some kids out because they won't be able to read them.
August 15, 2014
From Publisher's Weekly 5/16/2011
Using postcards and removable letters, Taback depicts a boy's first time at sleep-away camp through correspondence with his father, Harry. It's easy to see where Michael gets his imagination: when he pleads for his father to save him from his six-armed alien camp counselor, Harry sends a photo-collage postcard depicting desperate urbanites leaning out of windows, a New York Times headline announcing, "Big Heat Wave Grips City: Kids Stay at Camp." Harry's responses are consistently encouraging, positive, and funny, and Michael gradually acclimates to—and even enjoys—his time at camp. Those nervous about camp will relate to Michael's hyperbolic anxieties while treasuring his father's reassurances and good humor. All ages. (June)
Using postcards and removable letters, Taback depicts a boy's first time at sleep-away camp through correspondence with his father, Harry. It's easy to see where Michael gets his imagination: when he pleads for his father to save him from his six-armed alien camp counselor, Harry sends a photo-collage postcard depicting desperate urbanites leaning out of windows, a New York Times headline announcing, "Big Heat Wave Grips City: Kids Stay at Camp." Harry's responses are consistently encouraging, positive, and funny, and Michael gradually acclimates to—and even enjoys—his time at camp. Those nervous about camp will relate to Michael's hyperbolic anxieties while treasuring his father's reassurances and good humor. All ages. (June)
October 21, 2014
Postcards from Camp is a Texas Bluebonnet winner of 2013 and still is a common best seller. This children's book explains the story of a boy named Michael who goes off to camp and has a hard time adjusting. He sends many letters home begging his dad to come and take him home. His dad replies by telling him to tough it out and to make some friends because that's where he made some life-long friendships. Once Michael realizes this, he encounters some great friends and turns his attitude around. Now, Michael can't wait until he comes back the following year. This would be a great story to read in the classroom because many children have a hard time being away from their parents and things like that, so this story would help kids conquer those fears just like Michael did.
October 23, 2014
This book is about a boy named Michael who goes away to his first sleepover camp. At first he does not like the camp, in fact he despises it so much that he wants to go home. He writes to his dad saying how bad he wants to go home and how he does not like anyone at the camp. His dad reassures him that he should stay and try to meet some friends because that is where he met some of his life long friends. Does Micheal ever meet friends or is his whole sleepover camp trip a complete disaster?
A great theme from this book could be communication because his dad and him have great communication throughout the book.
You could have kids write postcards to their parents about something they are not liking in school or just in life and see how the parents respond to the postcards they receive.
A great theme from this book could be communication because his dad and him have great communication throughout the book.
You could have kids write postcards to their parents about something they are not liking in school or just in life and see how the parents respond to the postcards they receive.
November 18, 2014
This book is about a boy named Michael who did not want to go to summer camp tells his father about his adventures on a postcard from his time at camp. Through this postcard the reader learns about his time of being forced to eat vegetables by his alien counselor and how much he is disliked by this cabin mates. Even though Michael seems to having a bad experience at camp, his father tells him that he can survive his time at camp. Will Michael end up enjoying his time at camp? Major themes include: unfamiliarity and trying new things. It would be cool if students in a class could bring in postcard they have written on or have received. Even as a class, they can make their own postcard about a hard experience they have had and draw illustrations and have conversation with Michael did.
August 15, 2012
It is Michael's first trip to summer camp and he is a reluctant camper. Like Allan Sherman's song,"Dearest Mudda, Dearest Fadda," Michael portrays his cabin, his counselor, his cabin mates, the weather, and his experiences as horrid in his first postcards home. His father ignores Micahel's complaints and sends him cheery, humorous missives. Readers will be able to see Michael's changing viewpoint as the story progresses through the exchange of messages between father and son.
Using real envelopes and facsimile postcards, Taback unfolds Michael's experiences at summer camp. His humorous illustrations, some incorporating collage, will cause readers to want a second look.
Using real envelopes and facsimile postcards, Taback unfolds Michael's experiences at summer camp. His humorous illustrations, some incorporating collage, will cause readers to want a second look.
July 9, 2013
I keep feeling like I SHOULD have liked this one more than I did. TIny little letters to unfold and great illustrations.... but somehow it still didn't produce the widening smiles I had hoped it would.
The story is old, perhaps that's why? Young boy goes to camp, dislikes it....and writes back and forth to his father from camp. He ends up liking it. The back and forth reminded me of I Wanna Iguana, but not as clever.
The tiny notes are adorable, but they still didn't make the book for me. Considering 8 is the usual first age for sleep away camp, the book seemed to aim a little low. Maybe I need to borrow a 5 or 6 year old for a second opinion.
The story is old, perhaps that's why? Young boy goes to camp, dislikes it....and writes back and forth to his father from camp. He ends up liking it. The back and forth reminded me of I Wanna Iguana, but not as clever.
The tiny notes are adorable, but they still didn't make the book for me. Considering 8 is the usual first age for sleep away camp, the book seemed to aim a little low. Maybe I need to borrow a 5 or 6 year old for a second opinion.
July 5, 2012
Fun book relating the correspondence of postcards between camper son and his dad in New York. The series of cards happens over a 6 week period as Camper Michael adjusts to being away from home and learning to adjust to camp life and Parent Harry assuring him that the summer/camp will go well. Really enjoyed the artwork, and I'm guessing that seriously the campers had a lot of time to devote to their letters home. Fun read; similar to The Jolly Postman with its letters in the envelopes. Could be a problem if this is a "public" copy circulating. First class postage fluctuates.
January 22, 2016
Postcards from Camp by Simms Taback is all about a young boy who is not too excited about going to camp. His dad has great memories from camp and wants his son to experience the same fun. It is a book of postcards and notes back and forth between father and son.
I wasn't particularly fond of this book. While the concept was cute I was actually pretty bored while reading. I did love the way it was illustrated and the fact that some of the letters were folded up in envelopes that you had to unfold and read.
I wasn't particularly fond of this book. While the concept was cute I was actually pretty bored while reading. I did love the way it was illustrated and the fact that some of the letters were folded up in envelopes that you had to unfold and read.
July 30, 2011
At the insistence of his father, a boy reluctantly goes to camp for the summer. Postcards from Camp captures the correspondence between Michael and his father. While the postcards are elaborate and amusing, I found the text of the postcards boring and flat with little storyline to follow. He goes to camp, decides it isn't bad (for undisclosed reasons). and returns home. The cards and pull-out letters are fabulous and engaging works of art.
July 31, 2011
This book could have been wonderful, but the postcards just didn't flow together, and the plot was just a bit..... formulaic. I liked the book, and the postcard context is so much fun, but the back-and-forth between father and son took some thinking and re-reading to figure out. But I do see potential with leading kids through it and helping them to add some story to it in a writing exercise. Why do I always lead everything back to a writing exercise?!!
February 2, 2012
Quite a fetching and joyful book that recalls Allan Sherman's novelty song,
Hello Muddah, Hello Faddah. Kid resists going to camp, writes pleading
postcards and letters to his father begging to come home. Father writes
postcards and letters back, and of course at the end the kid loves
camp. I liked the art, the intriguing letters tucked into envelopes, and
the whole ball of wax. Librarians will worry about losing the loose
letters, unfortunately.
Hello Muddah, Hello Faddah. Kid resists going to camp, writes pleading
postcards and letters to his father begging to come home. Father writes
postcards and letters back, and of course at the end the kid loves
camp. I liked the art, the intriguing letters tucked into envelopes, and
the whole ball of wax. Librarians will worry about losing the loose
letters, unfortunately.
May 23, 2012
This story is told by postcards being sent between father and son, Michael, who has been sent to summer camp. It starts off with Michael hating summer camp and begging his father to come and pick him up. Dad sends encouraging postcards trying to get his son to enjoy summer camp. This book has envelopes for kids to open and pull out letters. A ghost story is included. Cute book and reminded me of when I went off to summer camp and all the fun activities I did.
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