Bang–Campbell, Monika 1975(?)-

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Bang–Campbell, Monika 1975(?)-

Personal

Born c. 1975; daughter of Richard H. Campbell (an acoustics engineer) and Molly Bang (an author and il- lustrator). Education: Wheaton College, B.A.; Boston University, M.A. (clinical social work).

Addresses

Home—Cape Cod, MA.

Career

Educator, sailor, and writer.

Writings

CHAPTER BOOKS

Little Rat Sets Sail, illustrated by mother, Molly Bang, Harcourt (San Diego, CA), 2002.

Little Rat Rides, illustrated by Molly Bang, Harcourt (San Diego, CA), 2004.

Little Rat Makes Music, illustrated by Molly Bang, Harcourt (San Diego, CA), 2007.

Sidelights

A professional sailor based near Boston, Massachusetts, Monika Bang-Campbell joins her mother, well-known author and illustrator Molly Bang, in creating the "Little Rat" chapter-book series. In the first series installment, Little Rat Sets Sail, Bang-Campbell draws on her extensive experience as a sailor to add authenticity to the little rat's adventures. In Little Rat Sets Sail Bang-Campbell writes "with a remarkable understanding of childhood feelings," according to Martha V. Parravano in Horn Book, and her story finds Little Rat terrified of the water. Unfortunately, the rat's parents have just signed her up for a summer of sailing lessons. Instructor Buzzy Bear allows Little Rat to sail with him until her fears subside, and she then happily learns about sailing terms and tactics. The more knowledge Little Rat gains about sailing, the less afraid she becomes. Parravano noted that Bang-Campbell "captures the joys of sailing while presenting it from the point of view of a reluctant participant." Also giving Little Rat Sets Sail a favorable review, a Publishers Weekly critic described the chapter book as "a breezy junket for aspiring skippers and confirmed landlubbers alike."

Little Rat's adventures continue in Little Rat Rides and Little Rat Makes Music, two further mother-daughter collaborations. Having overcome her fear of water, Little Rat must now face a fear of horses in Little Rat Rides, but when she learns to communicate with Pee Wee the pony, she earns a ribbon at a local horse show. In Little Rat Makes Music the young rodent dreams of becoming a virtuoso violinist, but when she picks up the instrument, she learns that practicing is boring and playing is harder than she thought. "Little Rat's second outing should earn her a whole new stable of fans," concluded Jennifer M. Brabander in a Horn Book review of Little Rat Rides, while in School Library Journal Joy Fleishhacker noted that the author "skillfully captures" the young rat's feelings "as she takes on a new challenge, and [gains] … the self-assurance that comes with success." Reviewing the text of Little Rat Makes Music, which like other books in the series is divided into eight chapters, Horn Book critic Lolly Robinson wrote that Bang-Campbell "sets a matter-of-fact tone that allows her flashes of humor to shine more brightly."

Bang-Campbell once told SATA: "I have sailed on boats since I was little and have continued my sailing career into adulthood. I am a professional sailor aboard tall ships that run educational programs for students ranging from middle school to adults.

"I received my master's degree in clinical social work from Boston University. Integrating the art of traditional sail to an educational curriculum enhances the students' learning experience."

Biographical and Critical Sources

PERIODICALS

Booklist, April 1, 2002, Kathy Broderick, review of Little Rat Sets Sail, p. 1326; May 1, 2004, Gillian Engberg, review of Little Rat Rides, p. 1561.

Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, May, 2002, review of Little Rat Sets Sail, p. 307; April, 2004, Deborah Stevenson, review of Little Rat Rides, p. 315; September, 2007, Deborah Stevenson, review of Little Rat Makes Music, p. 6.

Horn Book, July-August, 2002, Martha V. Parravano, review of Little Rat Sets Sail, p. 452; May-June, 2004, Jennifer M. Brabander, review of Little Rat Rides, p. 325; November-December, 2007, Lolly Robinson, review of Little Rat Makes Music, p. 673.

Kirkus Reviews, March 1, 2004, review of Little Rat Rides, p. 218; July 1, 2007, review of Little Rat Makes Music.

Publishers Weekly, January 7, 2002, review of Little Rat Sets Sail, p. 65.

School Library Journal, June, 2002, Lynda S. Poling, review of Little Rat Sets Sail, p. 80; May, 2004, Joy Fleishhacker, review of Little Rat Rides, p. 101; September, 2007, Erika Qualls, review of Little Rat Makes Music, p. 156.