Shelley Rotner is the author and photographer of the new children's picture book Let's Camp!. Her other books include Nature Spy Guide.
Q: What inspired you to create Let’s Camp!?
A: My editor Carol Hinz asked if I would be interested in doing a book about camping. My previous book, Nature Spy Guide, was a book to encourage kids to explore and enjoy nature, so a book about camping would also be a way to do that. My favorite nearby swimming lake has a beautiful campground, so it seemed like a natural fit.
Q: How did you choose the photographs to include in the book?
A: The photos came after the text was finalized. I used verbs throughout to give life and energy to the activities and actions one might do while camping. Kids and families were engaged while I was exploring that campground and others too, so it made my job easy and fun!
Q: What are some of your favorite camping experiences?
A: Probably my most favorite was camping on a lake in Maine and waking up to the sound of loons and then seeing them fly and land. It was magical. I also loved the campfires when day turned to night. And, of course, having s’mores.
Q: What do you hope kids take away from the book?
A: I want kids to have fun and witness the beauty of nature, whether fishing or finding salamanders and slowing down to notice and discover things. I also hope kids appreciate their camping communities and learn and show respect for nature and neighbors.
Q: What are you working on now?
A: Hopefully another book with Carol about bullying.
Q: Anything else we should know?
A: I would encourage kids to keep journals, take photos if possible, and make their own personal book of their camping experience.
--Interview with Deborah Kalb
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