Even without it, though, they will enjoy poring over the pictures time and time again, noticing nuances in the panoramic scenes not discovered previously. Children would benefit from reading an introduction to these fine characters in Plantzilla (Harcourt, 2002). Sprawling plant tendrils wrap around Bulford at the campfire as the kids toast marshmallows. The story is told through letters, mainly from Mortimer, and would not be complete without Catrow’s humorous and exaggerated illustrations done in lush watercolors and pencil. With Mortimer’s parents gone on vacation, Plantzilla dresses in disguise and boards the bus for camp in order to watch over his little buddy. He finds that he especially misses his plant when he meets bully Bulford Whipland, son of his fathers old nemesis. Here, Mortimer is at Wannaleavee, the summer camp his father attended as a boy.

“Plantzilla and his friend, Mortimer Henryson, are back with another far-out adventure. Everyone should have a friend like Plantzilla-why not adopt a plant of your own Does Plantzilla have a plan to watch over his friend and save the day?įriendship and true devotion conquer all in this charmingly madcap picture book by best-loved team of Jerdine Nolen and David Catrow. And then at camp, Mortimer discovers that the horrible, much-feared bully Bulford Whipland is his roommate.

It breaks Mortimer's heart to leave his beloved Plantzilla behind.

Until he reads the camp rule: NO PETS OF ANY KIND ARE ALLOWED! Mortimer Henryson is thrilled when he is finally accepted by Camp Wannaleaveee, his father's childhood sleepaway camp.

Plantzilla by Jerdine Nolen