Our kids recently asked if we could bike everywhere this summer instead of driving. We told them our plan was to do as much cycling as possible because we love it, they love it, we all get fresh air and there are so many things to see when you’re on a bike. Many of which you wouldn’t be able to see from a car.
On our last bike ride, we saw a bunch of pelicans, ducks and tons of baby geese and their hissing parents. Fortunately, we missed the bear that was wandering around the waters. If you’re looking for some inspiration for adventures with your family, here are a few books to get you moving.
If cycling isn’t your thing and you’re trying to convince your children to go on a road trip this summer, you might consider getting them Summer of Rocks by Jenna Greene. Fair warning, this story, which is about a family with three daughters who go on a road trip through Western Canada to look at potential sites for mines, made me cry. My son did not have the same reaction, so maybe it’s a mother thing, but there is an off-page death in this book to a side character that deeply impacts the six-year-old sister. My son read it in one day and he liked how the chapters were written in the different sisters’ perspectives. Ages 9 to 12.
If your children aren’t at the age where a road trip is feasible, you could explore your own yard or a local park like the young kiddo does in Giant Steps by Anaïs Lambert. In this story, a child steps out of their house to see what they can see: from an epic bug battle, to a train of ants, to bear paws and even a giant! This story is delightful, and in my experience, it’s an accurate portrayal of the way little kids see the world around them. For ages 2 to 5.
Another story that features a walk, well hike, is Huxley’s Island Adventure by Haley Healey and illustrated by Kimiko Fraser. This story is about a cat who gets lost on a camping trip and crosses the island to find his way home. It’s like a modern Canadian version of Homeward Bound, and I love it. I love learning about the different flora and fauna on the west coast (both in the story, and in the guide at the end of the book). Fraser’s illustrations are absolutely stunning; it feels like you could walk across Huxley’s island and see all the same things he saw on his journey. Once you finish reading the story, you can bring it with you to a beach or a forest path and use it to identify the plants and animals you see. For ages 4 to 7.
Maybe your kids feel like the world in your yard and neighbourhood isn’t as exciting as exploring far off places. In that case, you might like reading Earhart: The Incredible Flight of a Field Mouse Around the World written and illustrated by Torben Kuhlmann and translated from German by David Henry Wilson. This book, which is inspired by Amelia Earhart ’round the world flight, follows a young maker mouse who discovers airplanes and sets off on her own world trip. You and your children could stare at the images for hours and still see something new. If your children are curious to learn more about Earhart, the book has several fact sheets at the end. For ages 8 to 12.
Perhaps your kids are into true stories. In that case, you might like Adventure Starts at Bedtime: 30 Real-Life Stories of Daring and Danger by Ness Knight and illustrated by Qu Lan. Like the title suggests, this book is filled with true stories about adventurers who have come face-to-face with charging rhinos, climbed into active volcanos for science and trekked solo around the world. Each story is filled with beautiful illustrations to bring the tales to life and help your children visualize the different areas of adventure. For ages 8 to 12.
I hope these stories inspire you to get out and explore the world around you. Maybe you could even pop some books in a backpack, fill a basket with food and have a picnic at Clover Point, Swan Lake or Esquimalt Lagoon.
