Books give insight into road life

Here are four summer read suggestions for young RVers that are guaranteed to nip in the bud those dreaded words, “I’m bored.”

“”Camping Spree with Mr. Magee,” written and illustrated by Chris Van Dusen (Chronicle Books, 2003, $14.95, ISBN: 0-8118-3603-7).

‘Camping Spree’ is a terrific read-aloud picture book for every young child’s library, RVer or not.

Chris Van Dusen’s rhyming, brilliantly-illustrated story details a camping trip with Mr. Magee and his trusty dog, Dee.

The plot combines an inquisitive nearsighted bear, a runaway teardrop trailer and a couple of lighthearted misadventures.

In the picture book world, Van Dusen is known for his vividly colored, lively, detailed images that frequently incorporate unusual vantage points and perspectives.

The ‘50s retro style and setting in “Camping Spree” gives a magical realism to Van Dusen’s story.

“Ever since I was a kid, I’ve loved those 1950s Teardrop Trailers,” Van Dusen said in a telephone interview shortly after the book was published, “so I modeled Mr. Magee’s trailer after them.”

Van Dusen simplifies Magee’s teardrop by omitting such things as the propane tanks and the safety chain between the trailer and car hitch.

“Kids, luckily, don’t seem to miss those things,” he said from his studio in Maine. “At readings, when we get to the last page, I say, ‘See Mr. Magee remembered to put rocks on both sides of his tires.’ “

Van Dusen’s picture books are available from most booksellers. Learn more about him on his Web site, www.chrisvandusen.com.

““The Red Trailer Mystery, Trixie Belden #2,” by Julie Campbell (Random House Books for Young Readers, 272 pages, $6.99, ISBN: 0375824111).

First published in 1950, this slightly dated Trixie Belden mystery classic is still a good read for youngsters 9 to 12 years old.

In this second book in a series, 13-year-old Trixie, and her best friend, Honey, go in search of their new acquaintance, Jim, after he runs away to evade his abusive stepfather.

They set out across upstate New York, along with Honey’s governess, in an Airstream-like travel trailer and stumble onto another puzzle when they camp beside a mysterious red trailer.

The book is available through public libraries, local bookstores or online booksellers. For more information go www.randomhouse.com/kids.

“ “My Grandparents Live in an RV,” written and illustrated by Nancy R. Hall (Jasnans Publishing Co., 2005, $16.95, ISBN 0-9761759-0-8).

In 2005, RVer Nancy R. Hall self-published this 32-page picture book aimed at children 3 to 8 years old.

Hall has camped most of her life in everything from tents to a 36-foot Alfa Gold fifth-wheel trailer.

For more than three years, she and her husband, Gary, lived full time in their fifth wheel while Gary worked as a highway construction consultant.

After moving 11 times, they eventually ended up in Alaska, about 25 miles north of Anchorage, as the crow flies.

“A couple of years ago,” Hall said from her home in Wasilla, “I was looking for an RV-related book for my grandson for a Christmas gift and couldn’t find anything directed at children. I decided right there to write one myself.”

The book follows young Jason as he helps Grandpa set up the fifth-wheel trailer. They lower the stabilizers; pop out the slides; connect the water, electric and sewer; and put up the satellite dish.

“The book also includes things about why people live in RVs,” said Hall.

“It talks about how some people like to get away from the snow and go where it is warm during the winters,” she said, “and why others, like Grandma and Grandpa, live in RVs all the time because they have to move a lot because of their jobs.”

The book shows the many types of RVs and different campground activities.

“It is a book to be shared by grandparents with their grandchildren,” Hall said.

For a look at some of the drawings, go to www.jasnanspublishing.com. The book can be purchased through www.amazon.com.

“ “Road Trips RV Coloring Book,” by Dennis and Dianne Quinn (Family Time on the Road Books, $4.50, plus shipping).

The “RV Coloring Book” is ideal for those long trips or rainy days in camp.

Dianne and Dennis Quinn have traveled more than 34,000 miles of countless rides from day trips to three-week adventures.

With three children in tow, they feel they have learned a few lessons about RV travel with children.

This 28-page coloring book features black line drawings of a variety of recreational vehicles in cool camping places across America. In addition there are camping-related mazes, word scramble and word search games.

“We came up with the idea after trying to purchase a different RV,” Dianne Quinn wrote in an e-mail.

“Our young children were bored and antsy, so we had to leave the RV dealership without getting the bottom-line price,” she said. “We thought if the kids had been handed a coloring book, they would have been content for much longer.”

The Quinns sell their book through their Web site, www.familyrvbooks.com, and through Family RV Books, P.O. Box 259, West Milford, NJ 07480.