The Kids Campfire Book: Official Book of Campfire Fun

by Jane Drake, Ann Love, Heather Collins (Illustrator)

This book in the Family Fun series has everything you need to know about having a fun and safe campfire. This collection of outdoor activities, games, stories, songs and more is for kids and families to share around the campfire. It includes tips on how to find the best campfire site, identify animal cries at night and locate constellations. Kids will also find out how to make pizza over an open fire, tell a spooky ghost story, or create musical instruments for a sing-along. With more than 125 pages of fun things to do around a campfire, this is the perfect book for every camper, canoeist and camp counsellor!

Genres: Picture Books, Nonfiction, Childrens

128 pages, Paperback

First published April 26, 1996

About the author

Jane Drake and Ann Love are a sister writing duo. Together they have published 25 non-fiction titles for junior/intermediate students. Their first book to hit the bestseller list was The Kids Cottage Book published in 1992. Since then they have written many bestsellers and award winners including Cool Woods: A Trip Around the World's Boreal Forest (2003), The Kids Book of the Night Sky (2004), Snow Amazing: Cool Facts and Warm Tales (2004), and Trash Action: A Fresh Look at Garbage (2006), Sweet! The Delicious Story of Candy (2007), Alien Invaders: Species that Threaten Our World (2008). Ann and Jane have shared a lifelong love of the outdoors enjoying everything from snow shoeing, to camping, bird watching, tree planting and photography. They get along magnificently, except on the tennis court.

Jane lives in Toronto. She and husband escape the city whenever possible and recharge with weekends of sandhill crane sightings, star gazing, gardening and rigorous outdoor exercise. Nellie the ginger cat entertains Jane as she writes and Angus, the dog, makes sure she gets her daily walk. Jane would love to visit Siberia.

Reviews

[Terri Lynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book in many ways- especially the parts about how to select a safe site for the fire, the kinds of woods you need, testing a spot for safety, making an oven out of disposable aluminum pans, making wax firestarters out of old crayons or candles, and how to cook and sleep outdoors as well as making an underground cooking pit and plenty of warnings to be sure the fire is out. What I liked less were the stupid cheesy songs (words and music printed out) and stories to tell by the fire. It would be a better use of the space to offer recipes and more nature study material. Still, kids and parents will likely love this.

[Westcoast_girl · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has easy to read instructions, information, and diagrams for every young camper.
Learn to identify the constellations. Or build a fire. Or sing a campfire song.
Each chapter covers different activities you can do while you camp. Although meant for family campers more than backpackers or explorers, this book is still a fun guide and alternative to more factual and boring books.

[Tara · Rating 3 out of 5]

I especially like the songs in the back that had guitar, written out melodies and the words. The game options were good and helped to get my creative side thinking. It also makes a great reference for the parents that attend Wonder Bugs.

[Don Gubler · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great fun for around the campfire.

[Hilary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun stories a recipes. A great companion to a family camping trip!