Camp Granny
A "Grand" Parade of Mistakes
by
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“Hooray, we’re finally here,” Becca said as her mom pulled into the long driveway up to the old, white house. Hearing the car horn, Grandpa came quickly from the back of the house while Granny waved from the front porch. Becca loved to visit her grandparents’ country home. It was always fun. Becca jumped out of the car and ran to her granny. Her mom followed with the bags. (Insert white house picture near here with grandparent shadows on porches) Each summer, the six grandkids spent a week together in the country. This special week, called “Camp Granny,” was a grand event indeed. It was for grandparents and grandchildren only—NO PARENTS ALLOWED. When the grandkids were not gardening and fishing with their grandpa, they played dress-up with old clothes from the attic. Granny made lemonade and tasty cookies, and Grandpa told funny stories to the grandchildren about their moms when they were little. Granny even had photos to prove that the stories were true. Today, Becca was the first one there. Soon, her cousins would arrive, and the house would be a busy place. They all went inside, and Becca sat between her grandparents on the sofa. Grandpa noticed how much taller Becca was than when he’d last seen her. He asked, “What have you been doing since last summer? How was the school year?” (Insert picture of Becca on the couch with Grandparents here) “I loved third grade. My teacher was so cool. I made mostly As and Bs. My friend next door was on the same soccer team, and our uniforms were pink!” Becca stopped to take a breath. “Oh, and I just finished swimming lessons. I can’t wait for you to see me swim.” Granny asked Becca’s mom if everything was ready for “Camp Mommy.” That reminded Becca’s mom to give Granny the phone number and address of the hotel where she and her two sisters would spend the week. Camp Mommy didn’t sound as fun to Becca as Camp Granny. Becca knew that the moms were very excited and had planned this trip for weeks. After a long visit, and hugs and kisses, everyone went outside to say good-bye to Becca’s mom.
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About the Book
Camp Granny takes place one week each summer. This year, it gets off to a bumpy start. Big storms delay five of the six cousins. Becca arrives first and discovers she has forgotten her favorite stuffed animal. She and Granny come up with a collage art project to recreate her toy friend. As the cousins eventually arrive at camp, Becca plays art teacher, and everyone makes their own art projects. Events beyond their control coupled with artistic errors allow the cousins to incorporate their own ideas along the way. Rainy days give the kids and Granny time to make several projects each. New ideas abound. Each cousin’s contribution to the process is shared with their parents in a parade at the end of the camp—a grand parade of mistakes. Eighteen sample projects make up a parade showing the progression of mishaps and their various solutions. Granny and the older cousins add shading, background, and even realism. Every artist, regardless of age or skill, will find a sample that appeals to them. Instructions are included to create your own collage picture including an animal pattern. What will you discover by making mistakes? Materials kit for making ten collage projects is available separately.
About the Author
Having taught elementary art for twenty-five years, Rebecca McKeever is still fascinated with the process of teaching and creating art. She has witnessed the impact of making “mistakes,” which seem catastrophic to young artists, but through reevaluation and redirection, new ideas and great artwork usually result. After retiring, Rebecca seeks to reach a wider audience with a few of her favorite lessons. Rebecca’s youngest sister, Victoria Robinson Worst, lends her creative spirit to this venture. As a child, Victoria’s imagination was not always appreciated by her older sisters; today it is the source of many humorous family stories. In this book, Rebecca’s experience and Victoria’s vivid imagination create an endearing multigenerational story in which mistakes ironically build self-confidence and strengthen family bonds.