Children’s Books Inspired by Nature, Camping, and Hiking
One of my favorite things about camping is the slower pace. After a long day at the beach or hiking, there is usually a span of downtime as we unwind and prepare for dinner that is the ideal time to read, color, play cards or do puzzles. Stocking the camper with nature inspired books, especially picture books that everyone can enjoy, has been a goal of mine. I’ve selected a mix of both fiction and nonfiction books which foster a curiosity about the natural world.
If snuggling up in a hammock or reclining in a chair around the fire with an engaging story excites you, then definitely add these books to your library. The following list is a compilation of our favorite children’s picture books inspired by outdoor adventures in the summer. Check your local library or purchase them for your own home, attached are helpful links to Amazon for your convenience.
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Fiction Picture Books
The following books have stories woven around outdoor adventures camping, hiking and exploring. You and your children will be so delighted by the pictures and stories, you won’t even realize you’re learning facts about nature, biology, history and science.
Sea Glass Summer by Michelle Houts
Sea Glass Summer
This story will spark your imagination. For anyone who enjoys visiting the beach and collecting sea glass or shells, Sea Glass Summer, needs to become a part of your library. It is beautifully written and tells several unique stories of how each piece of glass came to be in the sea.
Rhoda’s Rock Hunt by Molly Beth Griffin
A must for rock hounds and collectors. Rhoda goes on a backpacking adventure with her aunt and uncle. During her hike she discovers a plethora of unique rocks. A sweet story for all treasure collecting children.
Meeting Trees by Scott Russell Sanders
Meeting Trees by Scott Russell
One of my favorite stories. A beautiful story of a father and son hiking through the woods and the clever ways they learn to identify plants and trees while recalling their names. You’ll be amazed how much you will learn.
Camp Tiger by Susan Choi
This imaginative and lyrical story, begins as summer winds down on the family’s final camping trip of the year. A young boy’s mother has been encouraging him to try completing tasks on his own in preparation for entering 1st grade.
This year an unexpected visitor, a tiger, emerges from the woods and helps him push past his boundaries of comfort. With a magnetic story from Susan Choi and award winning illustrations from John Rocco, they’ve combined to create a moving tale of growing up.
Stone Girl, Bone Girl: The Story of Mary Anning: by Laurence Anholt
If you’ve every heard the well known tongue twister “she sells, sea shells.” then you will love reading the true story of Mary Annings. From an early age, Mary’s curiosity was sparked as she dug for nature’s treasures near the cliffs by her home, which she later learned were fossils. With the help of her little dog, this twelve-year-old girl made one of the biggest discoveries of a fossilized skeleton for the science community. A perfect book for budding paleontologist and children who love searching for fossils.
Mrs. Rumphius by Barbara Cooney
Every May our family tradition is to hike through the Lupines at Chipman Preserve near Kalamazoo, MI. We highly recommend you pick up a copy of Miss Rumphius, a lovely picture book written and illustrated by Barbara Cooney. It features the life story of Miss Alice Rumphius, the Lupine Lady, a woman who sought a way to make the world more beautiful and discovered it by planting lupines in the wilds of Maine. Her philanthropy spirit and the beauty of lupines inspired us to create a list of 25 Ways to Make the World a More Beautiful Place.
Hello Lighthouse by Sophie Blackall
Full of vibrant illustrations and colors, this simple story shares the history and importance of guarding lighthouses and how their role has transitioned through the changing times. As a Michigan resident, our family has a love for these historic icons dotting our shores.
The Night Walk by Marie Dorleans
This children’s book needs to be added to your collection. The Night Walk will inspire your family to venture out for your own night time hiking adventure. The vivid words and pictures will have you fall in love with this book, plus the wonder and thrill of those dark early hours will appeal to all your senses.
Blueberries for Sal by Robert Mclowskey
A perfect book to read in July, especially after you go blueberry picking. A favorite children’s book for many, Blueberries for Sal by Robert McCloskey, follows a little girl and her mother’s adventure blueberry picking and the unexpected animals they meet along the way.
Golden Glow by Benjamin Flouw
The book, The Golden Glow, will take you on a hiking adventure with Fox as he sets out on a quest to discover a plant, with a rare golden glow, found only in the mountains. During his expedition he encounters many animals and plants while learning about the wonders of observing nature.
Three friends set off on a hike, along the way they experience the highs and lows of unexpected mishaps, discovery and beauty. A simple story, The Hike, is told through descriptive Illustrations that teach about nature, animals and trees. The story will inspire your children to keep their own nature journals. We recommend these simple unlined journals.
When Grandma Gateway Took a Hike by Michelle Houts
Pairing a book with a trip can often heighten the experience. This children’s picture book, When Grandma Gateway Took a Hike by Michelle Houts, describes the incredible feat of Grandma Gatewood’s journey. At the age of 67, she was the first woman hiker to complete the Appalachian Trail. Emma Gatewood was originally from Ohio and led hikers through her favorite sections of Hocking Hills.
If you have a hiking trip planned to visit Hocking Hills in Ohio, this a great inspirational story for kids, especially if you take the Grandma Gatewood Trail, from Old Man’s Cave to Ash Cave or hike along the Appalachian Trail.
Nonfiction Books
When you’re camping or hiking, chances are your child will discover an insect, animal, flower, or tree that you want to identify. The following reference books have been reached for time and time again, especially the last two years while homeschooling.
Nature’s Anatomy
Packed with illustrations and knowledge about nature and wildlife. We often use this book to assist with recording and drawing in our nature journals.
Bugs, bugs, bugs! The vivid pictures and informative descriptions are ideal for keeping children engaged and not overwhelmed. This is a staple in our house for my bug loving children.
Shine a light books by Usborne are perfect while camping and for bedtime. Grab a flashlight and snuggle up together. These beautifully illustrated and written books are a favorite in our home because secret pictures are revealed as you shine a light on the page. There is a whole series of shine a light books. Other favorites include Secrets of Winter and Secrets of Animal Camouflage.
Indescribable is by far my children’s favorite devotional. This book has 100 devotionals that reveal facts about the awe inspiring world that God has created through scientific findings, photography, and illustrations. The devotionals teach about space, geology, weather, animals and our amazing bodies. A sequel devotional book is How Great is Our God.
A key to make reading a habit with your children is to have a reading book light. We adore these rechargeable lights, since my children often fall asleep with theirs lights left on. They make great Christmas stocking stuffers or Easter basket filler ideas.
Closing Thoughts
Reading quality books together is a wonderful way to connect this summer. Make sure to visit your local library to find out activities and programs that are offered in your area. We also enjoy exploring local parks, berry farms, hiking trails, beaches, museums and zoos to break up the monotony of being at home. Below are some great activities to try out this year. Follow the Discovering Anew Facebook Page or our Instagram for tons of fun things to do including: Midwest travel, camping, Michigan day trips, and the best kid-friendly hiking trails and parks.
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