Sadie loves sleep away camp and hopes her younger brother Ori will love it, too. The activities are great and being Jewish at camp is comfortable and fun. Ori looks forward to his first summer there, having heard so much about it from Sadie. But one thing weighs on his mind — whether to bring Nuggles, the stuffed animal he sleeps with at night, or to leave Nuggles home. Will he miss Nuggles and be unable to sleep if he doesn’t bring him? Will he be teased and look like a baby if he does? After much deliberation, Ori decides to bring Nuggles along and, to his vast relief, finds that many other campers have their versions of Nuggles, too.
This short picture book portrays a realistic look at a natural concern. It is amusingly told and accompanied by colorful, whimsical illustrations which make camp look like lots of fun.
Recommended for ages 4 – 8.
Michal Hoschander Malen is the editor of Jewish Book Council’s young adult and children’s book reviews. A former librarian, she has lectured on topics relating to literacy, run book clubs, and loves to read aloud to her grandchildren.