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Mr. Magee
A Camping Spree with Mr Magee(Hardback) - 2005 Edition
Mr. Magee and his trusty dog, Dee, are enjoying a peaceful camping trip when all of a sudden they find themselves plunging down a mountain and teetering on the edge of a huge waterfall! How will they find their way out of this slippery situation? Chris Van Dusen, the creator of Down to the Sea with Mr. Magee, has filled this new adventure with charming illustrations and a playful, rhyming text. A fun read-aloud for children (and adults!) on campouts or snuggling at home!Author As a child, Chris Van Dusen loved to go camping with his family - not in a cool camper like Mr. Magee's, but in a stinky old tent. Now he and his wife, Lori, share camping adventures with their two sons near their home in the wilds of Maine.
Unknown Binding
First published March 1, 2003
117 people are currently reading
543 people want to read
About the author
Chris Van Dusen
52 books322 followersChris Van Dusen writes: “I was born in Portland, Maine, on St. Patrick’s Day, 1960. As a child, my brothers and I would spend hours drawing pictures. We didn’t have video games or computers to entertain us, so we drew instead. One of my brothers would sketch intricate war scenes. Another would draw animals so realistic you’d swear they were breathing. My specialty was aliens, robots, and monsters.
“Dr. Seuss and Robert McCloskey were my heroes. I loved the rhythm of Dr. Seuss’ words and I was fascinated by the meticulous detail of Robert McCloskey’s illustrations. I had no idea back then that I’d end up writing and illustrating children’s books when I grew up.
“After high school, I studied fine art at The University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth and graduated with a BFA in 1982. It took me a while to figure out what I wanted to do. First I was a waiter, and then I was offered a part-time job at a magazine for teenagers. Eventually I started drawing cartoons and illustrations for the magazine and my career as an illustrator was born.
“For more than ten years I worked as a freelance illustrator specializing in art for kids. I was doing mostly editorial work and my illustrations appeared in magazines like Nickelodeon, Family Fun, and Disney Adventures. One day I started thinking about drawing a picture of a boat stuck high up in a tree. I thought that would be a really funny and intriguing illustration. At the same time, a refrain kept running through my head—“Mr. Magee and his little dog, Dee / Hopped in the car and drove down to the sea.” The combination of these two things eventually became my first book, Down to the Sea with Mr. Magee (Chronicle), which was published in 2000. Since then I’ve written and illustrated A Camping Spree with Mr. Magee (Chronicle) (2003), If I Built a Car (Puffin) (2005) and I’ve had a ball illustrating Kate DiCamillo’s Mercy Watson series (Candlewick).
“Dr. Seuss and Robert McCloskey were my heroes. I loved the rhythm of Dr. Seuss’ words and I was fascinated by the meticulous detail of Robert McCloskey’s illustrations. I had no idea back then that I’d end up writing and illustrating children’s books when I grew up.
“After high school, I studied fine art at The University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth and graduated with a BFA in 1982. It took me a while to figure out what I wanted to do. First I was a waiter, and then I was offered a part-time job at a magazine for teenagers. Eventually I started drawing cartoons and illustrations for the magazine and my career as an illustrator was born.
“For more than ten years I worked as a freelance illustrator specializing in art for kids. I was doing mostly editorial work and my illustrations appeared in magazines like Nickelodeon, Family Fun, and Disney Adventures. One day I started thinking about drawing a picture of a boat stuck high up in a tree. I thought that would be a really funny and intriguing illustration. At the same time, a refrain kept running through my head—“Mr. Magee and his little dog, Dee / Hopped in the car and drove down to the sea.” The combination of these two things eventually became my first book, Down to the Sea with Mr. Magee (Chronicle), which was published in 2000. Since then I’ve written and illustrated A Camping Spree with Mr. Magee (Chronicle) (2003), If I Built a Car (Puffin) (2005) and I’ve had a ball illustrating Kate DiCamillo’s Mercy Watson series (Candlewick).
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 204 reviews
May 28, 2020
A fantastic read along story book the library provided. I listened with my daughter. Loved the story and highly recommended to everyone!
June 2, 2022
When Mr. Magee and his little dog Dee head for the great outdoors, they make the rookie camping mistake of leaving food out . . . which attracts a hungry bear, and leads to a hilarious, laugh-out-loud adventure.
Both Van Dusen's story, AND artwork are an utter delight.
Both Van Dusen's story, AND artwork are an utter delight.
January 18, 2023
A patron asked today for a good read aloud about camping. I consider this a CLASSIC! It is laugh out loud funny when the bear mistakes the hitch for a marshmallow! This book is in rhyme and has wonderful vocabulary included.
October 2, 2023
I love the Mr. Magee books so much and this one was so fun XD the trouble they get into is hysterically ridiculous and the way they get out even more so XD I love it XD
May 20, 2019
Chris Van Dusen is becoming a firm favorite at my house. While still a picture book, I'm enjoying reading aloud slightly longer stories like this one and it's always exciting to find one that holds my 4-year old's attention
August 9, 2023
This is a cute, rhyming story about Mr. Magee and his dog, as they adventure out on a camping trip. Their quiet trip becomes raucous when a bear visits their site while they sleep. Perfect for a summer read aloud.
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September 14, 2020I used this book as a guided reading group practice on how to tell the 5 W’s and do a retelling
May 26, 2022
I want more Mr. Magee and little dog Dee books! They are so much fun. The hilarity of camping is covered in this one (and of the bear who thinks a trailer hitch is a marshmallow ;)
July 30, 2024
One of my students’ favorites!
September 7, 2021
A cute camping story that makes me miss the good old days and having a dog
July 22, 2021
Featured in a grandma reads session.
A rather silly book, about camping in a camper, written in a Dr. Seussian sort of rhythm that my listeners enjoyed.
Ends with a Dorothy mantra of "there's no place like home" that the kids loved.
A rather silly book, about camping in a camper, written in a Dr. Seussian sort of rhythm that my listeners enjoyed.
Ends with a Dorothy mantra of "there's no place like home" that the kids loved.
February 5, 2018
Cute
A quick read, but cute. I can see myself reading this to my grandchildren. I would recommend this, especially to children who camp.
A quick read, but cute. I can see myself reading this to my grandchildren. I would recommend this, especially to children who camp.
May 8, 2009
a very fun camping book - told in great rhymes that remind me very much of Dr. Seuss. here's a sample:
"As the embers went out, they felt tired and dozy,
So they climbed in their bunk beds, all comfy and cozy.
But while they were falling asleep without care,
Along came a stumbling, bumbling bear.
A kindly old bear whose sight wasn't so clear
(He couldn't see far and he couldn't see near.)
But he could smell marshmallows, sticky and sweet.
This smell made him hungry. He wanted a treat!"
The bear undoes the camper's hitch by accident (trying to reach the marshmallows), and the camper careens down to the river below. It gets stuck, on the edge of a waterfall. But the bear rescues the camper (thinking that the hitch is a giant marshmallow). Silly and funny - perfect for young kids.
"As the embers went out, they felt tired and dozy,
So they climbed in their bunk beds, all comfy and cozy.
But while they were falling asleep without care,
Along came a stumbling, bumbling bear.
A kindly old bear whose sight wasn't so clear
(He couldn't see far and he couldn't see near.)
But he could smell marshmallows, sticky and sweet.
This smell made him hungry. He wanted a treat!"
The bear undoes the camper's hitch by accident (trying to reach the marshmallows), and the camper careens down to the river below. It gets stuck, on the edge of a waterfall. But the bear rescues the camper (thinking that the hitch is a giant marshmallow). Silly and funny - perfect for young kids.
January 31, 2017
Chris Van Dusen is one of my favorite illustrator. His Mr. Magee series is very fun. This one, about a camping trip where the trailer and car become unhitched is another fun one. I highly recommend anything by Mr. Van Dusen.
October 30, 2024
This was the first Mr. Magee book we have read and it was such a treat!
The rhymes are very bouncy, the illustrations are so fun to look at, and the story of the camping adventure is unparalleled.
Moral of the story: camping is always best when done close to home.
The rhymes are very bouncy, the illustrations are so fun to look at, and the story of the camping adventure is unparalleled.
Moral of the story: camping is always best when done close to home.
September 21, 2012
Goofy Mr. McGee and his pup Dee inhabit a lushly-illustrated world of 1950s glee. I loved looking at the illustrations--yipee!
May 18, 2021
As always, these books are absolute winners in our house. For read aloud, the timing is so perfect. Every line is so wonderful and the illustrations are perfect.
April 23, 2022
Ride along in the retro camper for un-bear-ably delightful fun!
July 3, 2017
Categories/Genres for this class fulfilled by this book: TumbleBooks- A Camping Spree for Mr. Magee
Copyright date: 2003-paperback edition
Estimate of age level of interest: K-3
Estimate of reading level: 3
Brief description: An online, animated story book about Mr. Magee’s adventures camping with his dog, Dee.
Identify at least 2 characteristics of this genre and subgenre and discuss how they appear in your book.
E-books and online apps should be used to enhance the learning of a child. In this case, TumbleBooks brings story books and chapter books to life using sound and animation. The book’s illustrations become animated, making the story engaging for the child listening. TumbleBooks allows for an extension of learning too by providing a section in which a child can take a quiz after reading or create a book report to check for comprehension. It also appeals to different learners. Auditory learners will appreciate that the books are read aloud. By listening to A Camping Spree for Mr. Magee aloud, the reader is hearing intonation and learning what a fluent reader sounds like. As the book is read aloud, the text is highlighted, allowing a child to follow along and read to himself or herself. It is also important for online applications to be easily accessed independently by children. This site offers clearly labeled tabs for types of books and shows the front covers of the books, making it easy for children to choose a book to read.
In what ways and how well does the book as a whole serve its intended audience?
This e-book is for elementary readers, K-3. A Camping Spree for Mr. Magee is an engaging, fun story that is brought to life. Younger chhildren reading and watching this video with enjoy the animated images of Mr. Magee. Since the book is read aloud, it is good for beginning readers who are just engaging with books for enjoyment. The child may not be able to read at this reading level yet, but he or she can still appreciate the the book and build comprehension. Older reader who may struggle will also benefit from the book being read aloud. They can follow along with the text as it is read, while being exposed to what a fluent reader sounds like. TumbleBooks can be used by teachers as an alternative option for independent reading time, but it could also be used for read alouds in the classroom as well.
Awards: None found
Citations for published reviews:
School Library Journal, October 2007
Copyright date: 2003-paperback edition
Estimate of age level of interest: K-3
Estimate of reading level: 3
Brief description: An online, animated story book about Mr. Magee’s adventures camping with his dog, Dee.
Identify at least 2 characteristics of this genre and subgenre and discuss how they appear in your book.
E-books and online apps should be used to enhance the learning of a child. In this case, TumbleBooks brings story books and chapter books to life using sound and animation. The book’s illustrations become animated, making the story engaging for the child listening. TumbleBooks allows for an extension of learning too by providing a section in which a child can take a quiz after reading or create a book report to check for comprehension. It also appeals to different learners. Auditory learners will appreciate that the books are read aloud. By listening to A Camping Spree for Mr. Magee aloud, the reader is hearing intonation and learning what a fluent reader sounds like. As the book is read aloud, the text is highlighted, allowing a child to follow along and read to himself or herself. It is also important for online applications to be easily accessed independently by children. This site offers clearly labeled tabs for types of books and shows the front covers of the books, making it easy for children to choose a book to read.
In what ways and how well does the book as a whole serve its intended audience?
This e-book is for elementary readers, K-3. A Camping Spree for Mr. Magee is an engaging, fun story that is brought to life. Younger chhildren reading and watching this video with enjoy the animated images of Mr. Magee. Since the book is read aloud, it is good for beginning readers who are just engaging with books for enjoyment. The child may not be able to read at this reading level yet, but he or she can still appreciate the the book and build comprehension. Older reader who may struggle will also benefit from the book being read aloud. They can follow along with the text as it is read, while being exposed to what a fluent reader sounds like. TumbleBooks can be used by teachers as an alternative option for independent reading time, but it could also be used for read alouds in the classroom as well.
Awards: None found
Citations for published reviews:
School Library Journal, October 2007
November 11, 2017
Mr. Magee and his little dog Dee go on a camping trip. They have quite an adventure on this trip. They end up spending the night in their own backyard.
Picture book- This book uses text and illustrations to deliver a message.
Writing Traits:
1-Sentence-fluency- The author uses rhyming words in this book which makes them flow off the tongue. It is the type of book you can read over and over and never get tired of. It would be a good way to show students how to write a story using rhyming words.
2- Word-choice-trait- There are some words in the text that students may not know but they are easily explained and have pictures to go with them. Two examples would be brook and embers. It was fun to read this book to students and be able to show them with pictures what these words meant.
Using for classroom instruction.
This book has fabulous pictures. Chris Van Dusen is a wonderful illustrator. I used this book to teach setting and character. Before we even read the book, I had the students look at the cover and tell me who they thought the main character was and what the setting was. I sat on the floor with the student as I read this story and they were constantly commenting on the pictures. This was a 1st grade class so it gave me the idea that this would be a great book for students to only look at the pictures and have them write their own story. I am biased because pictures are what makes or breaks a book for me so I love this book and all of the other ones by this author/illustrator. As stated above, we used this book to learn some vocabulary words that some of the students didn't know. I was able to show them pictures of these words too which was helpful.
Reading level: 3.8
Picture book- This book uses text and illustrations to deliver a message.
Writing Traits:
1-Sentence-fluency- The author uses rhyming words in this book which makes them flow off the tongue. It is the type of book you can read over and over and never get tired of. It would be a good way to show students how to write a story using rhyming words.
2- Word-choice-trait- There are some words in the text that students may not know but they are easily explained and have pictures to go with them. Two examples would be brook and embers. It was fun to read this book to students and be able to show them with pictures what these words meant.
Using for classroom instruction.
This book has fabulous pictures. Chris Van Dusen is a wonderful illustrator. I used this book to teach setting and character. Before we even read the book, I had the students look at the cover and tell me who they thought the main character was and what the setting was. I sat on the floor with the student as I read this story and they were constantly commenting on the pictures. This was a 1st grade class so it gave me the idea that this would be a great book for students to only look at the pictures and have them write their own story. I am biased because pictures are what makes or breaks a book for me so I love this book and all of the other ones by this author/illustrator. As stated above, we used this book to learn some vocabulary words that some of the students didn't know. I was able to show them pictures of these words too which was helpful.
Reading level: 3.8
March 19, 2024
This book is about Mr. Magee and his dog Dee who decide to go on a camping trip. When they retire to bed, a bear wanders into their camp causing their trailer to become unhitched from the truck and roll to a stream and they are on the edge of a waterfall! This book was such a fun read. The book is a ABAB rhyming book. It has a cute story and I was truly blown away by the art that was in the book. I wanted to read this book because I am currently staying at my mother-in-laws. And she runs a preschool, so her children's book collection is plentiful. I asked her to hand me all of her favorite and some of the kids favorite books to read. She said that this book is cute and I totally agree. I would add this book to my bookshelf because I can see myself rereading it and not growing too tired of it too fast. I think that kids would really enjoy this book because of all the art and how fun it is to read or listen to. I would recommend this book and again add it to my personal library because it would be such a fun one to read to kids.
November 10, 2017
This book had really great illustrations that sold me the minute I opened the book. This book tells the story of a man and his dog taking a camping trip. While on this trip the two were in the presence of a hungry bear that caused great troubles. When the trip was over the two found that they loved just camping in their backyard instead.
This book would be great in the classroom during a unit teaching sequential order. The book have enough events that they could create a timeline of them as an activity. This book could also be used to teach problem and solution or cause and effect. They would read the book and tell ways that Mr. Magee and Dee could've avoided their bear confrontation. For cause and effect they could describe what caused the bear to invite himself to the camper and what was the effect of the bear inviting himself. There could be a few uses of this book in the classroom.
This book would be great in the classroom during a unit teaching sequential order. The book have enough events that they could create a timeline of them as an activity. This book could also be used to teach problem and solution or cause and effect. They would read the book and tell ways that Mr. Magee and Dee could've avoided their bear confrontation. For cause and effect they could describe what caused the bear to invite himself to the camper and what was the effect of the bear inviting himself. There could be a few uses of this book in the classroom.
April 14, 2021
This book is fantastic and funny. I want this book in my classroom library and all of the other books in the series. I enjoyed all of the rhyming in this book. I love the front cover and how exciting it is. The front cover shows Mr. Magee and his trusty dog Dee rolling fast down a hill in their camper. Some of the animals are watching them. The front cover also gives a little mystery of what is going to happen in the story. Mr. Magee and Dee decide to go on an overnight camping trip. They seem to have forgotten a few things when they arrive. When a bear wonders into camp the trailer gets unhitched from the trunk and down the hill they roll. They almost fall over the cliff that has a waterfall. When the trip is over the pair decides that they love camping in their backyard.
May 28, 2017
Mr. Magee and his dog Dee decide to go camping for some peace, quiet, and rest. But when a bear with poor sight stumbles into their camp in search of delicious marshmallows things get a bit exciting.
Wowsers, this was one wild adventure! But who can blame the bear? Marshmallows are yummy, and in the end that's also what gets Mr. Magee and Dee out of the mess so marshmallow love saves the day too. I again like the retro Maine setting, and that the milkman's truck seems to make a subtle appearance in every Mr. Magee book. Great rhymes, an imaginative and funny adventure, and superb illustrations. Not much more you can ask for. (Except maybe some marshmallows to eat while reading.)
Wowsers, this was one wild adventure! But who can blame the bear? Marshmallows are yummy, and in the end that's also what gets Mr. Magee and Dee out of the mess so marshmallow love saves the day too. I again like the retro Maine setting, and that the milkman's truck seems to make a subtle appearance in every Mr. Magee book. Great rhymes, an imaginative and funny adventure, and superb illustrations. Not much more you can ask for. (Except maybe some marshmallows to eat while reading.)
December 27, 2019
Mr. Magee and his dog Dee decide to go on an overnight camping trip! They find the perfect spot, have a wonderful evening and settle into bed, but they may have forgotten a couple things!
Okay, I've done a fair amount of camping, though very little with an RV, but even I know you usually unhook the camper and definitely block the wheels! Not to mention left over food gets removed from the campsite or put up where critters can't get it. Fortunately for Mr. Magee and Dee they have a fair amount of good fortune along with their bad luck!
No content issues, some perilous moments, but everything turns out okay in the end.
July 24, 2017
I love all the rhyming. Mr. Magee and his dog, Dee, go on a camping trip. They enjoy themselves and head to bed. Then a bear smells their marshmallows and chaos ensues. The camper almost goes down a 50 foot waterfall, but the bear thinks the hitch is a marshmallow, so he grabs it and pulls it to shore before realizing it was a dirty, less-than-tasty, hitch instead. When he spits it out, the camper rolls down the hill and lands in the bushes near Mr. Magee's car. They decided to go home and camp in the backyard instead.
Good for preschool storytimes.
Good for preschool storytimes.
April 27, 2020
if you know anything about Beth and my hubby ... we have a Casita we camp in ... not now considering the silliness going on in the world ...but normally ... "normal times of the world" so this book was so fun. i loved it ... i did buy it with my own money and it was not through KU ... so that says a lot. way fun. kindle version. loved it. i wish the illustrations could have been kindle side not so tiny ... but i often wonder if authors/illustrators do have their photos for you to buy??! totally have lots of friends who would be curious?!?!? totally!! must read.
May 5, 2020
This illustrations in this book are beyond fabulous. Chris Van Dusen is definitely near the very top of my list of favorite illustrators ever and in this book he's at his best. The pictures are plain old breathtakingly wonderful. The text is good too. It tells a good story, full of suspense. But in a way it hardly matters. It's a fabulous opportunity after opportunity for Mr. Van Dusen to show just how good his work can get. And who would ever complain about that? I think this book is startlingly terrific.
July 28, 2025
Mr. Magee is a manic happy man to me. I think he's slightly crazy, but I still like him. Everything is neat and tidy with him. He goes on a wild camping trip. He meets a bear along the way and all sorts of lucky accidents happen to him.
The artwork is fantastic. It's done in gouache. The artwork is crisp and colorful and this manic sort of happiness. It's very much Chris's style. I thought it was fun.
Kids should be all about this crazy adventure Mr. Magee goes on. It's a fun little ride.
The artwork is fantastic. It's done in gouache. The artwork is crisp and colorful and this manic sort of happiness. It's very much Chris's style. I thought it was fun.
Kids should be all about this crazy adventure Mr. Magee goes on. It's a fun little ride.
July 8, 2017
Cute rhyming text about Mr. Magee who takes his dog, Dee, with him on a camping trip. The text is all rhyming and the illustrations are bright and cheerful, almost cartoon-esque. I enjoyed the story and think it's great for Pre-K to 1st, especially, to hear the rhyming text. Maybe not an essential text for a library, but an good additional selection.
I read an ebook version and on some pages the text broke in spots not conducive to the rhyming.
I read an ebook version and on some pages the text broke in spots not conducive to the rhyming.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 204 reviews