Molly Goes Camping
A Molly McPherson - 1st Lady Series Book
Molly Goes Camping is a sweet and entertaining tale for young readers about a rambunctious, fun-loving, inquisitive dog.
Janice McAlpine’s delightful picture book Molly Goes Camping follows a family on an outing with their adventurous canine.
Mr. and Mrs. McPherson, off camping in their blue minivan, have their lovable dog, Molly, in tow. She’s settled in her traveling crate with the comfort of her red plaid blanket. Adventures await at the Grand National Park destination, where a park ranger advises that Molly be kept on a leash so that she doesn’t wander or bother other campers.
Molly easily makes friends with two springer spaniels at the lake, but an unexpected encounter in the woods cuts the trip short, and the McPhersons and Molly are forced to head back home.
The book is divided into two action-filled chapters and includes a substantial amount of text. With a nicely balanced mix of narrative and dialogue, it seems well suited to a parent-child share or for an advanced young reader. Molly’s thoughts are showcased in bold, stylized print, or capitalized as a complementary standout element—an emphatic way to distinguish the narrative and other characters’ voices from the voice of the furry star.
Cheerful illustrations are rendered in brightly colored crayon or are pastel drawings highlighted with distinctive black outlines. From details like Molly’s soulful eyes to fun, frolicking scenes at the campsite, they are a charming representation of the happenings described in the text. A bold license plate message appears at the book’s end and is a particularly creative touch.
There is a real life lesson here about the importance of leashing your pet, and evidence of the potential dangers that can occur even with the best intentions. Molly’s antics demonstrate the caring bonds of friendship as she helps coax a scared dog into the water for shared fun.
Molly Goes Camping is a sweet and entertaining tale for young readers about a rambunctious, fun-loving, inquisitive dog who is truly part of the family.
Reviewed by
Carol Davala
Disclosure: This article is not an endorsement, but a review. The publisher of this book provided free copies of the book and paid a small fee to have their book reviewed by a professional reviewer. Foreword Reviews and Clarion Reviews make no guarantee that the publisher will receive a positive review. Foreword Magazine, Inc. is disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
