Children’s Book Review: Cami Kangaroo: Has Too Much Stuff

Cami Kangaroo loves stuff! Rocks, shells, feathers, toys…she loves them all. She collects them, sorts them and builds with them. There’s only one problem: her room is so messy that it’s nearly impossible for her to find things! Will she ever be able to figure out how to be more organized? 

As we draw nearer to the end of summer and we begin to get into back to school mode, I can’t help but think about how big of a mess my house is and how much I have to do! That back to school frenzy is about to get as real as it gets. We recently read a great book that I used to introduce my kids to the idea of cleaning, organizing, and too much stuff. However, it is never too early (or too late) to teach organizing skills to your kids.

Cami Kangaroo Has Too Much Stuff! By Stacy C. Bauer is a friendly, useful and humourous story about teaching children to tidy up, organize and take good care of their belongings (and those of others). In the story, Cami Kangaroo needs to clean her room before she can go to a birthday party, but she has so much stuff that she doesn’t know where to start. As Cami cleans her room, she remembers that she needs to return a stuffed puppy she borrowed. As Cami searches for the stuffed puppy, she makes an even bigger mess all while finding some of her favorite things that she had forgotten about in her big mess! Will Cami be able to tidy up her room and find her stuffed puppy in time for the party?

If your kiddos are like mine, then you know that children dread cleaning and organizing more than anything! Just yesterday I asked my daughter to clean her room, and I could have sworn I watched her walk up to her room as if I had just given her a life sentence. Typically, most children refuse to clean their room because they don’t want to. It is often more exciting to do something else, like watch TV or play outside. 

If cleaning rooms is a battle for your kids, here are a few strategies you can try:

1. Divide and Conquer
The divide and conquer method can be very helpful to help your child overcome a messy room. It can be beneficial to divide the room into quadrants and have your child work on one-quarter of the room at a time. Or having them focus on one item at a time. Breaking a large task down into smaller jobs can be helpful for any child, especially younger children.

2. Use task-oriented consequences
In Cami Kangaroo Cami has too much stuff!, Daddy Kangaroo tells Cami that she needs to clean her room before they head out to Savannah’s party. Task-oriented consequences is an excellent way to hold your child accountable for completing tasks. If you put a privilege on hold until they complete a specific task, they will be more likely to be motivated. Using consequences and rewards will help him learn the desired behavior over time.

3. Give “hurdle help”
Young children may need some help getting started cleaning their room as it can be a very overwhelming task. Just as Daddy Kangaroo did in the story, it is okay to spend 15 – 30 minutes in the room with your child, where you can show them the steps required to complete the task of cleaning their room. I have found that I have better success with my kids when I spend time with my kids before them starting to clean as it allows me to show them what my expectations are of a clean room.

My daughter loved Cami Kangaroo Has too Much Stuff! By Stacy C. Bauer. Having too much stuff and cleaning their room is something that my kids struggle with as well. Having a story that is relatable to them makes the story fun, and is very helpful. I also loved that the story included useful tips at the end of the story too! Don’t forget to check those out! 

This book is as always illustrated gorgeously. I love all of the details in the illustrations, including how the illustrator hides the first book in the Cami Kangaroo  and Wyatt Too series in the closet full of stuff. As well as how the illustrator shows how the time passes as Cami cleans her room with the clock.

Where Can I Find Cami Kangaroo Has Too Much Stuff!

You can find Cami Kangaroo Has Too Much Stuff by Stacy C. Bauer on Amazon.

Books in The Cami Kangaroo Series

Check out my Book Review on ” Cami Kangaroo: Has Too Many Sweets” By Stacy C. Bauer HERE

About the Author, Stacy C. Bauer

“I have had a passion for reading and writing since I was young. After spending much of my childhood “publishing” stories and playing school, I became a teacher. In addition to my teaching career, I am a wife and mother to Cami (9) and Wyatt (7) and currently reside in Minnesota.

I have never forgotten my dream of becoming a published author, so I began writing a series based on the antics of my own two children. I am hoping this series will inspire children to write, as well as bring some fun and laughter to parents and their children.” – Stacy 

Don't Forget To Join Stacy on Social Media!

All in all, my family and I have really enjoyed this book and we know you will too! Please feel free to leave me any comments or questions about this review. I look forward to hearing from you! 

* This book was kindly sent to me by Author, Stacy C. Bauer in exchange for an honest review. 

6 comments on “Children’s Book Review: Cami Kangaroo: Has Too Much Stuff

  1. This is a good book. It is very important that we teach cleaning, organizing and minimalism to our kids as early as we good. With too much stuff, I believe that adults can also learn something from this book.

  2. I think you have seen my home lately. 🙂 too much stuff is a real problem that I am facing recently as well. Seems like a great resource and I love your tips.

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