Kathy-jo Wargin - Frank and Beans and the Scary Campout

Turn all your worries over to [God].
He cares about you.
1 Peter 5:7

Every child learns to read in a different way and at his or her own speed. You can help your young reader improve and become more confident by encouraging his or her own interests and abilities. You can also guide your childs spiritual development by reading stories with biblical values and Bible stories, like I Can Read! books published by Zonderkidz. From books your child reads with you to the first books he or she reads alone, there are I Can Read! books for every stage of reading: My First SHARED READING Basic language, word repetition, and whimsical illustrations, ideal for sharing with your emergent reader.

1. BEGINNING READING Short sentences, familiar words, and simple concepts for children eager to read on their own.
2. READING WITH HELP Engaging stories, longer sentences, and language play for developing readers.
3. READING ALONE Complex plots, challenging vocabulary, and high-interest topics for the independent reader.
4. ADVANCED READING Short paragraphs, chapters, and exciting themes for the perfect bridge to chapter books.

I Can Read! books have introduced children to the joy of reading since 1957. Featuring award-winning authors and illustrators and a fabulous cast of beloved characters, I Can Read! books set the standard for beginning readers.
A lifetime of discovery begins with the magical words I Can Read!
Visit www.icanread.com for information on enriching your childs reading experience.Visit www.zonderkidz.com for more Zonderkidz I Can Read! titles. Frank tested the tent zipper.

I think it will be fine, Beans, he said. Frank had camped many times. He always camped with his mom, dad, and little sister, Birdie. Tonight, just Frank and Beans would sleep in the yard. Ready for the big campout? asked Franks dad. Dad gave Frank a flashlight. Dad gave Frank a flashlight.

He gave Frank books and a bag of popcorn. Dad reached to pet Beans. Beans was not there. He was busy trying to get popcorn. It spilled all over the lawn. Soon it was dark.

Frank and Beans went into the tent. Frank snuggled in his sleeping bag. He turned on the flashlight. He opened a book. It was a quiet night. Crick-crick-crick. Frank looked at Beans Crick-crick-crick. Beans moved closer to Frank. Shhh. Shhh.

Do you hear that? Frank asked Beans. Crick-crick-crick. Frank worried about the sound. Was it a branch in the wind? Was it a frog? A bird? Then came more sounds. Hoo-hoo-hoo. What was the crick sound? What was the hoo sound? Frank wanted to unzip the tent. He wanted to look outside. Frank was afraid.

So was Beans. Then there was another sound. Crunch-crunch-crunch. Beans, I hear CRUNCHING, Frank whispered. Beans heard it too. Crunch-crunch-crunch. Beans growled. The noise stopped.

Beans stopped growling. The noise started. This was a bad idea, Beans. I do not like camping alone, said Frank. Frank wanted to go inside. He began to unzip the tent.

Beans jumped out! Frank was surprised. He zipped the tent shut and sat up. Beans was gone. Frank was very worried. What if the monster ate Beans? What if the monster ate HIM? Then Franks dad came to the tent. He had Beans.

Beans came to the house, he said. Is everything okay? Frank began to cry. He told his dad about the crick-crick-crick. That was a grasshopper. They sing at night, his dad said. Frank told about the hoo-hoo-hoo.

That was an owl. He was resting in a tree, said Dad. Then Frank told about the crunching! Just then, Beans ran away. Frank and his dad followed. Here is your crunching monster, said Franks dad. There sat a fat raccoon.

It was eating the spilled popcorn. Frank and his dad laughed. Then Frank said, I was scared. It was hard to be alone. You were not alone, Frank, Dad said. Yes I was.

Beans ran away, said Frank. Frank, who watches over grasshoppers? Franks dad asked. Frank thought about this. He answered, God. And who watches over owls? God, said Frank. And who watches over raccoons? God does that too, Frank smiled.

And who watches over you? asked Franks dad. God does! he answered.

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