A Camping Spree With Mr. Magee

We were at the Public Market in Portland, Maine during the summer of 2004, where Chris van Dusen was signing copies of this book. Since we spend the summer camping, we bought the book for our son who was 2 years old at the time. We all fell in love with the story, the pictures and Mr. McGee immediatly; and 1 1/2 years later it is still among our favorites! Santa will be bringing Down at the Sea with Mr. McGee this year and I am sure it will quickly become a regular in our reading rotation! I highly recommend this story for kids of all ages!

When I read Chris Van Dusen's other book in this series "Down to the Sea with Mr. Magee," I was completely amazed. His super-detailed work, vivid gouache colors, and multiple perspectives just jumped off the page. There was a 50's retro style and setting, and a magical realism that recalls the best of Pixar animation. Much of that is evident in the sequel, "A Camping Spree with Mr. Magee," including the super-realism, and the bold colors and perspectives, but it doesn't quite match up with the first book. I think that Van Dusen's visuals work especially well when he's illustrating light, water, and various shades of blue; the ocean surfaces of `Down to the Sea..' offers more of these visuals than the mountain setting here. However, when we see a glimpse of the ocean, or the metallic/rubber looking Rambler (yes, it really looks like a combination of a 1950's toy with some kind of hard rubber coating!) in which he and his dog Dee drive up to the mountains, that astonishingly fresh retro-style triumphs. However, there are fewer of these views here, and Magee does not linger long enough before the trip for us to view van Dusen's 1950's-inspired depictions of their home and quaint village. Still, Van Dusen is one of the most original illustrator/writes working these days, and it's a treat to find this second "Magee" tale. While I was somewhat spoiled by the magical pictures in the first book, this one probably has a more exciting story, and there are enough Dusen-style pictures to keep you riveted. This is a fun all-rhyming story that quickly engages the reader. A comically drawn big black bear unhitches their trailer (inside of which Magee and dog are sleeping inside it) while going after a bag of marshmallows: The excitement begins as the trailer "flew down the road in a wild, bumpy ride, with DEE and MAGEE sleeping soundly inside." They're heading for a waterfall, but fortunately, "their camper got stuck on a rock at the ledge." You may notice (in this and other scenes) how superbly van Dusen captures the colors of the river, and adds excitement by using different vantage points. Of course, the bear inadvertently rescues them, and there's a home sweet home last page. Definitely worth your time, although I would give the edge to "Down to the Sea with Mr. Magee." Let's hope we see a lot more from this very enjoyable and original talent.

I don't know who likes this book best, my 2 1/2 year old, my 5 year old, or me. The colorful story, written in a fun to read rhyme, details a camping trip that is complicated by a marshmallow eating bear, a runaway camper, and a brush with disaster. The pictures are fabulous. The details of the interior of the camper bring back memories of staying in an AirStream as a kid and the drawing of the the camper perched precariously at the top of a water fall actually makes me dizzy! The ending is perfect, as all children can relate to the comfort of simply camping in your own back yard. We've had this book for about a year now, and we still read it often. It is now time for me to buy another of Van Dusen's books.

All I can say is, I can't wait until Chris releases his next book! I love the rhyme & cadence that goes into such cute adventures that are had by Magee & his dog. My son is young, but I bought him both and anticipate reading them to him. You won't be sorry you added this one to your child's library!

My sons & I are long-standing fans of Mr. Magee and Dee since they took their boat out for a day on the sea. We were surprised when we found this new book where they go camping (or try to). Chris Van Dusen's art "makes" the stories. Every time we read this new story ( & we have re-read it night after night), we comment on the sunset, the view through the trailer window, the poor raccoon getting out of the way all the time, the car heading down the hill the "other way", the view from the falls, and the freshly-cut lawn back at home. The story is delightful and fun to read time after time. And for those of you growing up in the 60's, the trailer in this book brings back memories of the one I always begged my parents to buy. I hope Mr. Van Dusen's working on his next Mr. Magee book.