Book Description

An introductory camping guide that belongs in the backpack of every adventurer and budding environmentalist.Have you ever hung a bear bag? Predicted the weather by examining pinecones and dandelions? Counted a cricket’s chirps to calculate the temperature?Whether you’re an expert camper or just a beginner, this informative book—with its innovative approach and design—is chock-full of camping ideas that will add spice to your next journey through the woods. Find out how to pick and set up a comfortable campsite. Learn to recognize constellations among the many stars in the summer sky. Uncover new games and campfire recipes that will make the camping experience even more exciting. And that’s just for starters. From what to pack to what to look for once you’re there, this hands-on primer is the perfect tool for a safe and fun outdoor adventure—so pop it in your backpack and hit the trail! ... Read more

Reviews (1)

great book for kids
Fun to look at and full of great tips on hiking and camping. My kids really enjoy looking at each page because every page offers something new and interesting. Makes a great gift too. ... Read more

Book Description

Find a place to sit and watch and listen ... on the beach or in the woods or in a salt marsh. What can you see and hear? ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Part guide book, part scavenger hunt, and part story book
Learning resource for the home library of nature lovers. This is a simple story of a short trip through the woods, to the salt marsh, to the dunes, and finally to the beach. Along the way readers are given a scavenger hunt like list of animals, plants, and natural objects to find in each fold-out, three-page spread. The artwork is detailed like that of a guide book, but also set within context. The last page has the answers with all the species identified. Karen Woodworth-Roman, Children's Science Book Review ... Read more

Reviews (1)

let it snow, let it snow * * * * *** ** *
This guide ot snowmobiling is geared for the younger crowd, but it's still a good introduction to using a snowmobile responsibly. As you can probably guess, the man who made the first commercially available snowmobile, Carl Eliason, lived in Wisconsin. It took a Canadian, Joseph-Armand Bombardier. to make the first snowmobile for recreational use.

This book gives information how the various parts of the snowmobile work and the skills you need to drive it responsibly.
There are many safety tips, such as preventing frostbite, as well as a granola recipe for you to make and take with you.
If you are planning to purchase a snowmobile and will be having a young person using it, I recommend this book highly. ... Read more

Book Description

This McManus Books edition of "Kid Camping from Aaaaiii! to Zip" is nearly identical to the original, which was a selection of the International Reading Association for 1980.Some of the information has been updated and a bit of new stuff added.For example, a host of web sites now exists where kid campers can view and even order a slew of neat camping information and equipment, not exactly Grogan's War Surplus but still interesting.

Aaaaiii! is the sound you might hear yourself making if you find a Crawly Thing sharing your sleeping bag..."Oops!" is what you should try not to say too often while it's your turn to be camp cook. Patrick McManus's descriptions of the circumstances that can produce these responses are hilarious.Along with the humor there is practical advice for beginning campers, dispensed with a generous helping of common sense.

Here you will find answers to hard questions such as how to tell the difference between hard-boiled eggs and raw... how to keep your matches dry... what to do if you encounter a cow-or a bear.In alphabetical order, these self-contained entries are capsule adventures in camping.Whether your kind of camping is sleeping out in the backyard or hiking to rugged country, you will be better prepared when you've read Patrick McManus on Air, Clothing, Dogs, Emergencies, Macho Guys-and he'll keep you laughing all the way to Zip.Illustrated by Roy Doty. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Sharing McManus is my mission
I own an almost complete collection of Pat McManus's books and keep them in my drafting lab to share with my students. I require them to read for the first 15 minutes of each 90 minute block, giving me time to complete paperwork or prepare for demonstrations/lectures/testing. My books are now lovingly tattered from their status as preferred reading material. I overhear students sharing favorite bits with each other ("A Good Deed Goes Wrong" in particular.) They come to class quickly to grab their favorite book or claim one they haven't read yet. It is a delight to see them enjoy the books and humor I love so much!

An excellent (and hilarious) resource on camping!
We have two copies of the previous edition of this hilarious book in our elementary school library. This is the first title I recommend to students requesting a book on camping.

It is also a great read-aloud to upper elementary age students, and since each topic--such as ants, beef jerky, cooking fire, gorp, knives or wire coat hanger--is usually less than a page in length, it's an excellent, quick time-filler. I usually just have to read a couple of these sections, and the kids line up to put this McManus classic on hold.

very good
i got this book as a christmas gift. ive been hooked on Patrick F. McManus since. all of his books are funny, but this is one of the best. its the kind of book that anyone can enjoy both young and old (though there is some language that the parents of younger readers may not approve of) ... Read more

Book Description

A fishing book for kids ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Learing how to catch fish as a kid is easier than I thought
I went fishing once when I was a kid, but I certainly did not know what I was doing. I caught a couple of fish, which we released, but had trouble getting the hooks out without really damaging the fish (yes, I have guilt over this; the reason for killing a fish would be to eat it). My kids have gone a couple of times with Granddad Nelson in the mountains of California and have all enjoyed success, but they were pretty much told where to stand and what to do and the only thing that mattered in the end was that my son was ticked that his younger sister caught the biggest fish (we have the photo to prove it). So we know virtually nothing about the art of fishing. Enter "The Barefoot Fisherman: A Fishing Book for Kids."

Books trying to teach kids how to do things are tricky, especially when it comes to providing the proper balance between breadth and depth. Paul Amdahl covers a lot of ground quickly and proficiently. The tone is authoritative without condescending into juvenile humor as a way of enticing readers. Clearly fishing is serious business, which is why "The Barefoot Fisherman" keeps the focus on what to do and why. If Amdahl is talking about equipment then that means reels, rods, and line; not only defining each but explaining when and why you would use each along with their strengths and weaknesses. There are photographs (B&W) throughout the book to illustrate key concepts and to show the young readers lots of different types of fish. Amdahl covers a bunch of different types of fish, focusing on where to find them and how to catch them (Just plan on getting your hands dirty).

There is also a key philosophy at work throughout "The Barefoot Fisherman." The main thing is that fishing is fun and that while catching fish does have an element of luck to it there are certain things you can do to make it more likely that you will be lucky. What Amdahl offers are not rules (i.e., no guarantees), but rather good, practical advice to help young readers to become young fishermen. At the end of the book he tells his readers to never step on wet rocks, be careful when you are by yourself, and to have fun. By the time neophyte fishermen get to that point they should feel pretty confident about going out and trying to catch some fish. Now, chances are that I am never going to do a whole lot of fishing in the future, mainly because this book does not talk about how to cut through the ice that covers out lakes this time of the year, but someday I might have some grandchildren that could benefit from taking this book down from my shelf. Hey, it could happen.

Very well done!
This "how to" book targets young kids; however, even adults who read it learn new things.

My father and teenage son fish often. Though my son is still learning the basics, my father has spent his life fishing in every pond, lake, river, and body of water he could find. In fact, every year he teaches the kids at the local fairs how to tie flies and cast. yet even he learned one or two new tricks from this book. I kept yelling through the house, "Hey Dad! Did you know..." The instant I finished and set the book down, he picked it up and began.

Author Paul Amdahl wrote out all the basics of fishing, the equipment, and some very helpful tips in a simple, easy to follow, dialogue. If you are age eight or have never touched a fishing rod before, this book is for you! Excellent!

Reviewed by Detra Fitch.

For preparing the neophyte fisherman
The Barefoot Fisherman: A Fishing Book For Kids by experienced fishing enthusiast Paul Amdahl is an excellent and "reader friendly" introduction to the sport of fishing for aspiring young anglers of all ages and backgrounds. Individual chapters address catching a variety of different fish, from catfish to bass and walleyes, as well as lures, fly fishing, bait fishing and much more. The Barefoot Fisherman is an enthusiastically recommended "how to" guide for preparing the neophyte fisherman on how to get them most out of their fishing trip!

A sheer delight....
I read this book for myself, then I passed it along to my nephew and he loved it. It is so well written and geared for the younger audience that you will find yourself wishing that you were of the age it was meant for.

Paul Amdahl's love for fishing is infectious and it is clear that he is of an easygoing and happy nature because it is so reflected in his writing.

I urge anyone with children who possess a desire to fish to have them first read "The Barefoot Fisherman" and then when your child is not looking, sneak a peek yourself. You will be glad you did!

Good book for kids
The Barefoot Fisherman: a fishing book for kids will take adults back to childhood days of ice cream trucks and lightning bugs. But, sorry friends, pleasant as the trip may be, this book is not for you. It's for your kids. The book explains the fundamentals of fishing as if the author were your older brother. Amdahl does not preach; he shares. The book reads like a pirate's treasure map as each chapter tugs the young reader deeper into the seaside caves of angling. The Barefoot Fisherman does not discuss entomology, advanced knots, or difficult casting techniques. Instead, it focuses on the aspects of fishing that kids love: raising earthworms, catching crawdads, making doughbait. Try to find a grownup book that considers tomato worms as bait. The author's contagious love of the sport and gentle humor will probably create many new fisherman. But even adult anglers will pick up some tricks and tips. The ideal plan is to buy this as a Christmas present for some youngster on your list, but give yourself time to read it before you wrap it. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Although Within Reach is targeted at young adults and written in a young man's voice, the writing (by coauthor Galvin) is engaging, and the story is rewarding enough to interest any mountaineer.

Pfetzer, 18 at the time of publication, describes his summits of a number of peaks worthy of a climber twice his age, including Huascarán, Aconcagua, Ama Dablam, Kilimanjaro, and Cho Oyu. He tells at length of his two expeditions to Everest, where he reached 25,000 feet from Tibet and 26,000 feet from Nepal. Purists may sneer, as all these climbs were commercial, guided expeditions--but heck, the kid was only 14 or 15; how else would he get there? And, though a paying client, he was unusually well prepared: a karate black belt (at age 11), courses in NOLS (National Outdoor Leadership School) and high-angle rescue, full EMT (emergency medical technician) training (even though he was too young to be licensed), in addition to being in top physical condition, which he rigorously maintained.

Pfetzer has regularly sought out older, more experienced mountaineers as mentors--somewhat rare for a teenager--and thanks them publicly for their teaching and wisdom. His love of climbing and determination to succeed are inspirational for all ages. --Donna DeShazo ... Read more

Reviews (55)

"Within Reach" was the Best Book I've Read in a Long Time!
"Within Reach" by Mark Pfetzer and Jack Galvin was a very good book. In fact, it was one of the best books I've read in a long time. At first when this book was suggested to me, I thought "Wow. Another boring non-fiction book about some guy climbing Everest. Whoopee." But I was wrong. I loved "Within Reach"! I suggest it for anyone interested in a good read. Even if you don't like non-fiction or adventure books, I think this book's for you! I took this book to all my classes at school and brought it home every night, sneaking a read when I was supposed to be doing my homework - that's how much I really couldn't put this book down! I loved following Mark's journeys in mountain climbing, and I hope there will be a sequel soon about his 1999 Everest and Andrea Doria expedition! (The Andrea Doria is a sunken cruise ship that a group [including Mark] is going to explore, 240 feet undersea!) And Mark, if you're reading this, I'm sorry about your dad.

inspirational book
Just recently I read a very inspirational book about a 16-year-old boy who climbed atop of Mount Everest. That book is written by Mark Pfetzer and it is called Within Reach: My Everest Story. Mark Pfetzer started to climb at the age of 12 in a rock climbing gym near his house. He got to climbing because his aunts music teacher also climbed and so they got together and first went to Peru to climb those mountains. Then he went to Nepal which is in Asia the north side of the Himalayans. The Himalayans are the biggest mountains in the world. Mark climbs the Himalayans four times. His life long goal was to climb it once but through his perseverance no only did he climb it once but he climbed it more than once. He also climbed the highest mountain in the world before he even graduated from high school. He was also a very good student. Throughout all the time he was climbing mountains he was doing his school work and xlimbing at the same time. I think he is a very good role model for every young kid. Mark is a person who reaches his goal and lets no obstacle stop him and still focuses on doing his homework. He had obstacles like knowing that his father was diagnosed with cancer in his ear and then a year later his father died of just that. But that didn't stop him from reaching his goals. I enjoyed reading this book and it is a very good book for young people looking for a role model.

an antidote to disaffected teenager-dom
Mark Pfetzer is 12 when he decides to become a mountain climber. At the age of 16, he makes his second Everest summit attempt during the 1996 storm. As the story progresses, Pfetzer must balance family obligations with his climbing ambitions. Told by Pfetzer and ghostwritten by Galvin in a teenage writing style, this is an ultimately inspiring tale about a teenager whose ambitions take him outside the norms presented to teens. It shows the value of determination and also offers an alternative to a disaffected teenaged existance of living for the future. ages 12+

Excellent Choice For Adventure On a Mountain
Great book, learned a lot of a 16 year old who will follow his dreams to do whatever it takes to get to the top of Everest. Defiantly read it you would like an adventure and a good rush!

Within Reach reveiw
Within Reach is a very good book. It explains how if you put your mind to something you can do it. Mark a teenager is in to rock climbing a lot, he is willing to stop school stop every thing around him to climb. Mark is the youngest person to climb certain mountains, he doesn't climb for the public he climb for him self. Mark kept a journal on his mountain climbs so you really know how he feels. If you like a book about a person that fights for what he believes for you have to read this book. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Amazing illustrations, and content!!!!
This book was truly amazing. It gave me (someone from ohio) a true insight about what lobstering is really about! The pictures are great and the story line very descriptive and intuitive. I would def. reccomend this book to anyone that has kids or no kids. Please buy.

Amazing and educational
My 5 and 6 year olds absolutely love this book.This book is as close to lobstering my kids will probably ever get.In that regard, it is packed with useful information about how lobsters are caught and what other kinds of things end up in a lobster trap.This interesting thing about this book, aside from the lifelike illustrations, is that it tells the reader why some lobsters get tossed back (i.e. too small or have eggs attached).It shows the reader how the lobsterman measures the lobster to ensure it is not too small.A lesson in conservation rolled up into a delightful story.Buy this book.You and your children will NOT be disappointed.My kids have read this book about 6 times in 10 days.That's the kind of results you want to get kids reading.

Learned a lot!
My daughter and son enjoy this book and learned something about lobsters.We think the pictures are pretty incredible!

Should have done his homework
This has to be one of the worst books on lobstering I have ever read.The information is poorly researched, and the quality of the illustrations are also, sadly, second rate.I have read in his biography that Mr. Pallotta was a lobster fisherman, but sadly he has done his fellow fisherman a grave diservice in writing this book...

details the occupation of lobstering - great for kids!
My son and I go to Maine for vacations.We picked up this book and havebegun picking up lobster toys.He really loves it! ... Read more

Book Description

Children's activity book that teaches fun activities to do when hiking, whether in the backyard or in the wilderness. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Hiking Basics for Kids and their Parents
Trekking on a Trail provides basic hiking information and suggestions for simple activites. A substantial portion of this book is devoted to safety information and lists of gear hikers should carry or wear. Much of this information, such as what sort of socks to wear and how to buy a pack, seems more aimed at parents than kids.

The book includes...

a section on stretches to use when warming up for a hike,
a set of suggestions for gear, clothing and food to carry,
a section on different kinds of packs,
a simple map reading lesson,
advice on staying found, what to do when lost, and what to pack for an emergency and for first aid,
a section on reading the weather,
a section on what bugs and plants to avoid,
a few suggestions for trail snacks,
a handful of suggested activities for children on hikes, such as making a hiking journal, hiking stick and skipping rocks on water.

Fran Lee provides colorful and charming illustrations throughout that may make the some of the otherwise dry material in the book more appealing to children. ... Read more

Book Description

Here's the definitive resource to locate places where kids can roam and have fun outdoors. Texas is spread out far and wide, and newcomers may be surprised at the state's broad diversity of terrain and plant and animal life. Each section of the state has a distinctive look and offers children unique opportunities to get outside and experience nature firsthand.This book lists and describes places with great outdoor programs for kids, ranging from state parks to nature centers and museums. There are chapters on the best sites for fishing and shooting sports, for water recreation, and for birding and other kinds of wildlife watching. The best places for nature study, environmental protection activities, and volunteer opportunities are also treated in detail, as are overnight camps and trips.Each listing in the book is accompanied by an address and phone number and, where appropriate, a code connoting the broad geographic area of which the facility is representative--for example, the Panhandle Plains, the Gulf Coast, or the Hill Country.If you want to help children explore the wonders of Texas' natural world, this guide will lead the way. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Great For Kids
I highly recommend this book to any parent who want to show their children that parents have a sense of fun and adventure too! ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Hiding in a Fort
I like this book because it tells you how to build forts and things like that.I like how the pictures and how the a author tells about his own life.A wonderful book for children! ... Read more

Book Description

The family from Dim Sum for Everyone! is back for a new outing– building and flying their own kite!

The wind is blowing. It is a good day for kites! The whole family makes a trip to the local craft store for paper, glue, and paint. Everyone has a job: Ma-Ma joins sticks together. Ba-Ba glues paper. Mei-Mei cuts whiskers while Jie-Jie paints a laughing mouth. Dragon eyes are added and then everyone attaches the final touch . . . a noisemaker! Now their dragon kite is ready to fly.

Kite Flying celebrates the Chinese tradition of kite making and kite flying and lovingly depicts a family bonded by this ancient and modern pleasure.

... Read more

Reviews (2)

Simple, colorful, and like a kite.. surprising in direction
Grace Lin's pages are filled with spirograph-like swirls, bright patterns, bold colors, and even more colors. The inside cover is filled with drawings of the tools needed to make a kite (paper, scissors, paint, glue, etc), while the back inside cover is filled with the meanings attributed to the types of kites you fly (dragons for wisdom, dragonflies for Summer, butterflies for love, fish for abundance, taods for long life, etc). The whole family is involved in making the feng zheng kite, and then they ascend a hill to fly it with other families. She closes the book by asking the reader to imagine what people's kites are saying about their wishes and desires.

High-flying fun
In "Kite Flying," by Grace Lin, a family makes a dragon kite together and then takes it out for a flight. It's a simple story that effectively combines brightly colored illustrations with an easy-to-read text. Sample text: "It is a good day for kites." It's an enjoyable story that is also a positive portrayal of a family at work on a project together.

At the end of the book is a short supplemental article which describes the history of kite flying and discusses some Chinese traditions related to this activity. There is also an illustrated gallery of various animal kites: butterfly, crab, fish, etc. ... Read more