Hike It! A Summer Adventure in Picture Book
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On a random day, as I was walking through the library, I caught something from the corner of my eye. It was an oversized picture book. It was reddish and blue with mountains and a family on the front cover. As I approached closer the title emerged and I knew in my book lover’s heart that I had found a new favorite. It was: Hike It: In Introduction to Camping, Hiking, and Backpacking in the USA.
Hiking
Hiking is one of our family’s adventures of choice. My husband hiked 300 miles of the Appalachian Trail when he was 16. We hiked over 100 miles of the Colorado Trail on our honeymoon (we hope to be able to finish it someday). And I dream of hiking the Pacific Crest Trail as well. Ever since our big kids were little ones hiking has been our first choice on the weekends. Therefore this book, now family approved, went straight to my heart! And I would love to share it with you.
Hike It
Hike It: In Introduction to Camping, Hiking, and Backpacking in the USA, by Iron Tazz and illustrated by Martin Stanev is part tour guide, part handbook. And part love story. The love story that is waiting to be found in each of us for the trail and life outdoors. This book is an amazing resource for families and people of all ages from 0 to 100. Martin Stave’s beautiful illustrations draw you in and you just want to jump in the picture! While Iron Tazz’s writing makes you want to jump off the coach, grab your backpack and run out the door, for a long time…
The handbook part
I am very impressed with the thoroughness of the hiking/backpacking education contained in the handbook part of the book! Every other double page is chock full of tips and tricks for successful hikes. From the essentials that should be carried on any and all hikes to lightweight backpacking, you will learn so much! This book is the best starting point to learn about hiking safety and enjoyment that I have ever seen. It is complete, even if it does not dig very deep into each topic. It is a great igniter of wonder and curiosity.
The tour guide part
Oh. My. Stars! May I please ask for an extra lifetime or three to be able to hike, every single trail mentioned? Pretty please? From Maine to Washington from North to South, many of our national parks are mentioned. Not only are they mentioned, but the gorgeous illustrations make you feel like you are there. And with the author’s best description of each, there is no choice: you have to want to go and see for yourself! What an amazing reading adventure this book is! I can’t wait to go experience it in nature!
Talking of National Parks…
Another stunning picture book, National Parks of the USA, by Kate Siber, illustrated by Chris Turnham, will be our exploration destination in August. I am not going to spoil anything by saying that it is another must read book for anyone headed to a national park this summer!. Enough said… Join us in August for a Free Picture Book Exploration of this book.
A couple more picture books
A few more picture books that we have enjoyed about hiking and backpacking. We love any and all Crinckleroot Guides by Jim Arnosky. But Crinckleroot’s Guide to Walking in Wild Places is one of our favorite!
Another, more whimsical than educational, favorite is Henry Hikes to Fitchburg by D.B. Johnson. D.B. Johnson created a short series of picture books loosely based on the life of Henry David Thoreau. We love each one. Henry, the bear, is someone I would love to go hiking with. He spends time admiring nature around him and he enjoys every step of his hike. He sounds like a perfect hiking companion. And last but not least Grandma Gatewood Hikes the Appalachian Trail: A Picture Book Biography, by Jennifer Thermes is sure to inspire you.
Our favorite essentials
Other than the basic essentials we never venture on a hike without our Nature Journals and supplies. If we are watching the amount of weight we are carrying with us, we only take a couple of watercolor pages and a pencil. But it is enough to be able to stop and pay attention. Often we take a picture with our phone to be able to finish our Nature Journaling page at home. Which sometimes happens and sometimes it doesn’t. I like to write down all the important things: date, wind, temperature, elevation, etc… And to at least trace an outline of what I was observing. It makes a great addition to my Nature Journal, no matter how unfinished it is.
To explore further
I would strongly recommend getting lost on Iron Tazz’s website: IronTazz.com. His blog is full of further hiking and backpacking wisdom and his photos are breathtaking! A wonderful treasure!
Martin Stanev’s website is also a treasure trove of stunning illustrations: https://www.inklingillustration.com/artists/martin-stanev. His vintage inspired illustrations just tickle my love for anything vintage and they open the door to the dreams that childhood are made of. I might have to collect them all just for some eye candy…
In short
I love this book and the library will have its copy back BUT I will have my own copy as well. This book came into my life at the perfect time: the beginning of summer. That means that here, in Colorado, the hiking trails are open again and it is time to go spend time in the mountains. This is motivating me to re-ignite hiking as a weekend endeavor for my family and to take to the trails. And to even start planning for some winter hikes in the months to come. I hope that many of you will take to the trails and enjoy a fabulous hiking and backpacking summer!
Love,
Mattie
