Sometimes a book comes along that seems like it was written specifically for your child, and folks here we have it!  Okay, let’s just jump in, I have a feeling that this book is going to be a huge hit with my science loving readers.  So here we go…  Curious Kids Nature Guide: Exploring the Amazing Outdoors of the Pacific Northwest by Fiona Cohen and illustrated by Marni Fylling (Little Bigfoot, 2017) is hitting the shelves today, and we are beyond smitten with this little book that is so packed full of fun facts, fine illustrations and science knowledge.

This is a perfect nature guide for your Pacific Northwest naturalist.  It is filled with 100 of the most facinating  flora and fauna found here in the PNW (possibly even Northern California, too).  This little treasure of a book is broken into four categories: forest, beach, freshwater and backyards & urban parks; clearly covering all of the areas your petite might get to explore on a regular basis.

What we love about this book is that it is small (about 7×8 inches), so it fits nicely into a small bag or children’s backpack making it easy to take along with you into the field.  Dividing the book into habitats makes it really easy to use for little ones who are just learning how to use a table of contents.

We love the introduction notes at the beginning of each section; they feel like a little reminder from a naturalist before you head out to explore.  Isn’t this the best reminder?The beautiful illustrations bring the flora and fauna to life covering just a few of the more common animals and plants you might find in the region.  Below is how each ecosystem is introduced in the book with a gorgeous full spread of the animals with the scientific names.

We also loved the write-up of each of the plants and animals, it was so thorough, but fun and engaging to read.  It has a lot of really fun facts within the pages of this book as well.  I have lived in the PNW for almost 20 years now and learned quite a bit of new information when reading this book with my petites.  Whether you’re learning more about the salmon or its life cycle before you head to a hatchery or the fish market this book has a learning opportunity for you.

Whether or not you live in the PNW or are planning a trip here this summer, this book would be an amazing add to your bag.  In fact, if you know anyone who is traveling to the PNW with petites this is a book I would strongly recommend, because if you spend any amount of time here you will encounter many of these amazing animals and plants even on the shortest of visits.

Although, I am not a traditional homeschooling mama my almost 4-year-old loves doing lessons, so we make sure we spend time each day doing lessons and this book has helped to ensure she is engaged and learning about the important ecosystems right in our own backyard.  Not to mention this book will be accompanying us on all of our summer adventures to the pond, beach and of course on those amazing summer hikes in our national parks.

This book is perfectly geared for kindergarteners (with some help reading the text) up to 5th grade because it is engaging with the fun facts.  I personally love this book and think it is fabulous, I have thoroughly enjoyed reading it with my petites and know that my girls absolutely love it because they’ve been asking when we can go to the forest, beach and a freshwater habitat.

We can’t wait to get out and start exploring this summer, what’s your favorite place to go with your petites in the summer?

Bloggers Note: This book was given to my by Sasquatch Book in exchange for an honest review.  All thoughts and opinions expressed in this post are my own. Thank you to Little Bigfoot for use of images in this post.

 

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