Get Off That Camel!

Little Meena’s obsession with camels drove her to lose all sense of reason. As a baby, she slept with her beloved toy camel, and as she progressed to toddlerhood, she spent hours on her adored rocking camel. Then one day, while still a young child, Meena was given a real live camel. She was delighted beyond belief! Nothing anyone could do or say convinced her to get off that camel. She rode it to the most unusual places like on the school bus, in the supermarket, and even in the theatre. To say her insistence on not parting with her treasured friend was a slight disruption would be putting it mildly. Nearly everyone she encountered asked her to “get off that camel!” Despite their persistent pleas, she blatantly refused, until one day her father took her to see a doctor out of concern for her wellbeing. Only after discovering that her defiance was indeed taking a tragic toll on her four-legged friend was she willing to climb down to ground level once again.

Acclaimed author A.H. Benjamin’s delightful children’s book is full of humor and originality. Young children, especially those between the ages of four and six, will find Meena’s behavior outlandish, quirky, and hilarious. She is beyond stubborn in her defiance, but is refreshingly genuine in her response to the doctor who informs her she is causing detriment to the creature she loves most. Her willingness to look beyond herself and her own needs sets a good example for young children to absorb and follow. The repetition of the text is likely to help young readers have less difficulty decoding it. The reading level is approximately second grade, though some first graders will be able to successfully traverse its pages. The vibrant and amusing illustrations throughout bring life to its pages and are certain to keep the attention and anticipation of youngsters. The only drawback of this creative masterpiece is the predictability of its storyline, with the exception of a final welcoming twist at the end.