Happy Earth Day and National Parks Week!
Another bibliography inspired by my recent travels. In the last few years I've gotten into hiking, which then led to visiting & exploring national parks. The National Park Service has reported record numbers of visitors in the last few years, so clearly I'm not the only one! This bibliography includes fictional stories as well as non-fiction informational books about the parks, their histories, and the people who helped create and take care of them.
Fiction
Currently 5 books of a planned 10-book series
Self-published, 2022+
260-346 pages, a few illustrations
Ages 9-14
This mystery-adventure series is one of those rare unicorns - self-published books that are really good! I am personally really enjoying this series and *highly* recommend it. This series follows Jake, his cousin Wes, and friend Amber (along with their parents) on a road trip visiting 10 national parks and completing a scavenger hunt planned by his late grandfather. However, what Jake thought was a simple scavenger hunt for fun turns out to be far more important, with precious artifacts to protect, villains to outwit, and ties to one of Jake's ancestors.
This series is well-written, and includes descriptions of several sites and trails in each park, along with clues, puzzles, and secret codes to solve. There are also lessons in teamwork, safety, frienship, and dealing with fears and strong emotions. There is also a story-within-the story set in the past that makes it all the more interesting. Each book in the series begins with a short recap of what has happened in the previous books, and there is factual information and discussion at the end. The books are best read in order. The author's website has a few free resources for teachers, an online scavenger hunt, and bookmarks with codes to solve, a coloring book, and other items to purchase. The parks covered so far are: Rocky Mountain, Great Sand Dunes, Grand Canyon, Zion, and Yosemite. The next five books will take place in Mount Rainier, Olympic, Glacier, Yellowstone, and Grand Tetons.
Currently 12 books in the series
Bakken Books, 2022+
170-200 pages, very few illustrations
Ages 7-10
Another mystery-adventure series following Isaiah, his sister Sadie, their parents, and cousin Ethan as they visit various national parks, encountering challenges from nature as well as man-made mysteries. This series is more for younger readers as they are short with simple, linear plots. The writing could be better; the moralistic lessons are rather heavy-handed, the characters don't feel authentic at times, and there are some potentially problematic characterizations, such as referring to a senior citizen as "ancient". In my opinion, the quality of this series is nowhere near that of The National Park Mystery series, but it is also aiming for a younger demographic and still worth reading for those who aren't ready for something longer and more complex. Books do not necessarily have to be read in order; though they occasionally refer to previous events, the stories stand alone. The parks covered thus far are: Grand Tetons, Smoky Mountains, Zion, Rocky Mountains, Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Yosemite, Acadia, Glacier, Arches, Olympic, and Joshua Tree.
Where the Sky Lives by Margaret Dilloway HarperCollins, 2022
336 pages
Ages 9-12
Tuesday lives in Zion National Park where her mother is the park archaeologist, and where her late uncle taught her astronomy. But now a new development is threatening the dark sky stargazing at Zion, as well as the habitat of an endangered animal. This story deals with loss and grief, mother-daughter relationships, science, and environmentalism, all set against the backdrop of Zion National Park.
Camp Time In California by Mary Pope Osborne #35 in the Magic Treehouse series
Random House, 2021
112 pages
Ages 6-9
Jack and Annie's latest magical adventure takes them to Yosemite National Park to save the wilderness! A beloved modern classic beginning chapter book series for transitional readers.
*Available in Prose or Graphic Formats*
I Survived the Attack of the Grizzlies, 1967 by Lauren Tarshis #17 in the I Survived series/#5 in I Survived graphix series
Random House, 2018/Graphix, 2022
144 pages/160 pages
Ages 8-11
This installment from another beloved transitional series tells a fictionalized story of the 1967 grizzly bear attacks in Glacier National Park, from the point of view of fictional 11-year old Melody Vega. In real life, these attacks led to many changes in policy and management of national parks to reduce human-bear interactions and prevent future attacks. Also available in graphic novel format.
The Growling Bear Mystery #61 in The Boxcar Children series created by Gertrude Warner
Random House, 1997
128 pages
Ages 7-10
In this installment of the popular Boxcar Children mystery series the Alden's are on a treasure hunt in Yellowstone National Park, searching for the legendary lost gold of the Lost Miner's Cabin. However, it seems that someone doesn't want them to find it, and all are not as they seem!
*Picturebook*
Travel Guide for Monsters by Lori Degman & Steve Szalay Sleeping Bear Press, 2020
32 pages, illustrated
Ages 3-6
Just on the off chance you were planning to take a monster with you on your road trip across America, you should read this book! Little kids will love this humorous book with travel tips for accompanying monsters, which includes visits to several national parks, as well as various cities, historical sites, and other travel destination.
Encyclopedias & Atlases
These are good if you are interested in learning a little about multiple or all parks, and may be the only books with info of some of the lesser-known parks. For more info about specific parks, try the series non-fiction below.
*Tried & True*
Eyewitness National Parks by DK DK/Penguin Random House, 2023
72 pages
Ages 8-12
This classic packs a lot of information in in a small space, though some of the less popular parks are relegated to half a page. One thing that I really like about this book is that it includes a small map of each park; they aren't detailed, but a really nice addition that none of the other encylopedias have. One thing I really don't like is that there doesn't seem to be a logical order, maybe roughly east to west?? At least there is an index and all 63 parks are represented.
*All 63 National Parks*
The National Parks Encyclopedia by Allison Lassieur Abdo Books, 2023
192 pages
Ages 8-12
One of the more recent publications, this encyclopedia includes all 63 National Parks, with 2-4 pages of photos and highlights for each. It is a smaller format than other encyclopedias, so photos are smaller and fewer, and may not have as much information as others, but it has an attractive, modern aesthetic.
*Good Info & Photos, Confusing Order*
The National Parks by Stefanie PayneDK/Random House, 2020
128 pages
Ages 8 and up
This book is fairly recent, but it is missing the newest national park, New River Gorge in West Virginia, which was designated a national park at the end of 2020. The first spread is a general introduction to national parks, followed by nice map of the U.S. showing the locations of all of the national parks, with size of the park indicated, and color-coded by the type of habitat. That is followed by 1-2 pages for each park, with a few interesting facts, photos, and illustrations with a few full-spread photos for selected parks. The one thing I *really* didn't like is the parks seem to be listed randomly, with no rhyme or reason that I could figure out; they are not listed alphabetically, chronologically, or geographically. Fortunately, there is an index at least. The book finishes with a few tips for wildlife spotting and a glossary.
*A Mix of National Parks & Other Landmarks*
National Parks: A Kid's Guide to America's Parks, Monuments, and Landmarks by Erin McHugh (author) & Neal Aspinall, Doug Lean, Brian Maebius (illustrators)
Workman Kids, 2019
128 pages
Ages 8-12
I have a bone to pick with the author and publisher for entitling this book "National Parks" when it only includes some of the actual National Parks. However, it does include several other parks, forests, landmarks, monuments, and historical sites that you might also be visiting on your road trip, or be otherwise interested in learning about.
*Artistic Illustrations & Companion Activity Book*
National Parks of the U.S.A. by Kate Siber (author) & Chris Turnham (illustrator)
Wide Eyed Books, 2018
112 pages
Ages 8-12
This book is truly a work of art, with illustrations rather than photographs and a lovely embossed cover. The downside is that it only covers 21 of the now 63 national parks. But for the parks it does cover, it packs in a lot of information, particularly about the wildlife, which will appeal to kids. You can also purchase an accompanying activity book with activities, a fold-out poster, and stickers to go with it.
*More Great Sights to See*
National Monuments of the U.S.A. by Cameron Walker (author) & Chris Turnham (illustrator)
Wide Eyed Books, 2023
112 pages
Ages 8-12
A companion to the book of national parks above, this book features a wide variety of national monuments, some natural and some man-made, including the Statue of Liberty, the National Mall, Dinosaur Monument, Devils Tower, and many more. Beautifully illustrated with an embossed cloth cover. A great complement to any National Park encyclopedia. There is also a companion activity book available, with more than 25 activities, a fold-out poster, and 30 stickers.
*Fun Scavenger Hunt*
The National Parks Scavenger Hunt by Stacy Tornio Timber Press, 2023
236 pages
Ages 5-11
This book turns exploring national parks into a fun scavenger hunt with items to find or activities to do at each park to score points. All 63 national parks included.
*Best Atlas*
Atlas of the National Parks by Jon Waterman National Geographic, 2019
432 pages
Ages 12 and up
Ok, this is not a kids' book, but is far superior to the children's atlas below. I would skip the kids' maps and use this one. Because it was published in 2019, it is missing the two most recent National Parks, the Gateway Arch in St. Louis, and New River Gorge in West Virginia.
*Disappointing*
National Parks Maps by Abby Leighton Gibbs Smith Books, 2021
80 pages
Ages 6-12
I was so excited when I first came across this title, but was very disappointed after I got my hands on a physical copy. I really question the artistic choice to represent the maps in such a cartoon-y graphic style with fonts and color-schemes that make them very hard to get much useful information from them, especially with some of the color choices. Some are better than others, but overall such a missed opportunity in my opinion, though reader reviews on Amazon are much more favorable, so it may just be a matter of aesthetics and personal preference.
National Park History & General Info
*Graphic Novel*
The National Parks: Preserving America's Wild Places by Falynn Koch
First Second/Roaring Books Press, 2022
128 pages
Ages 9-13
Part of the publisher's History Comics series and narrated by Sasquatch, this book tells the story of how the concept of national parks and the resulting National Park service developed. As Sasquatch explains it to his bald eagle friend, readers will learn about the process of how national parks are designated, other types of federal parks and lands, and how parks may lose national park designation. This book is not so much the history of specific parks (though some are touched on) but of the whole idea of national parks as a whole. The author has served in the national park service as both a park ranger at various parks, monuments, and historic sites as well as an administrator. (Readers may also be interested in The American Bison: The Buffalo's Survival Tale by Andy Hirsch from the same series.)
*Picturebook*
The Camping Trip That Changed America by Barb Rosenstock and Mordicai Gerstein
Dial Books for Young Readers, 2012
32 pages
Ages 6-10
This non-fiction picturebook tells of the camping experience with John Muir that inspired President Theodore Roosevelt to lead the development of legislation to protect wilderness areas and wildlife, leading to the creation of national parks, forests, wilderness areas, and wildlife sactuaries and today's National Park Service.
50 True Tales from Our Great National Parks by Stephanie Pearson (author) & Madeline Kloepper (illustrator)
Wide Eyed Editions, 2024
128 pages
Ages 7-12
A collection of 50 short stories. Some tell of historical events, others about an interesting plant or animal, how parks were formed, and a few are folklore. Intersting, but the stories are a bit too short, in my opinion, and leave the reader wanting to know more. Good supplement to an encyclopedia or other non-fiction.
*Graphic Novel*
Major Impossible by Nathan Hale #9 of Nathan Hale's Hazardous Tales series
Amuelt Books, 2019
128 pages
Ages 8-12
People are divided on whether books in this graphic series are historical fiction or non-fiction; I'm leaning toward historical fiction, based on factual events. With a limited color palette, this graphic novel tells of Civil War veteran and explorer John Wesley Powell's harrowing expedition to ride the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon in 1869, long before it was a National Park. Powell is portrayed as a heroic explorer in this story, but in real life Powell's legacy as a man who "never saw a river he didn't want to dam" is more complex.
*Picturebook*
If I Were a Park Ranger
by Catherin Stier & Patrick Corrigan Albert Whitman & Co., 2022
32 pages
Ages 3-6
A non-fiction picturebook that introduces children to an often under-appreciated and under-represented occupation. Children will learn a litte about what a park ranger does and how they help make state and national parks more accessible and enjoyable for us all.
*Boardbook*
B is for Bison by Greg Paprocki Babylit, 2021
32 pages
Ages 0-5
This cute little alphabet boardbook features wildlife and scenery from 26 different national parks. Readers may also be interested in C is for Camping by the same author.
[There are actually a surprising number of national-park themed boardbooks available, too many to include here.]
Series Non-Fiction
For more detailed information on selected national parks.
Multiple authors & illustrators
Published in 2023 & 2024
32 pages
Interest Level - Grades 3-8
Reading Level - 4th Grade
This is the most recent series to the market and thus should have the most up to date information. The covers are fresh and modern, evoking the classic arrowhead logo of the National Parks. Inside you'll find lots of info-bites about the park: where it is, the geography, how it was formed, wildlife, plants, things to do and see, human impact, stats, timeline, food web, glossary, index, and a few suggested books and websites for more information. It is heavily illustrated with beautiful photographs, with a few infographics. This series is perfect for readers who want to get a brief overview of the park and see lots of photographs. Though publisher recommends for grades 3-8, I think younger children would also enjoy sharing it with a caregiver, and 6th grade and up might find it too superficial.
The downside of this series is that as of now, only 12 of the 63 National Parks are included: Acadia, Glacier, Grand Canyon, Great Smoky Mountains, Rocky Mountains, Yellowstone, Yosemite, Zion, Everglades, Grand Tetons, Joshua Tree, and Olympic. It is unclear if more titles will be added.

*Favorite Overall Non-Fiction Series*
"A True Book" National Parks series by Scholastic
Multiple authors & illustrators
First published in 1997, latest editions 2018/201948 pages
Recommended for ages 3-10Very similar to the Bellwether series above, with lots of color photos, some infographics and stats, and brief tidbits of info about the park, things to see, things to do, animals, plants, glossary, index, and suggestions for more info. However, this series has several more pages and tells a bit more of the history of the park, and scores major points for including a decent map of the park. I would probably say this I like this series the best of all, with Bellwether's U.S. National Parks a very close second. One downside is that this series is older, so some of the information will be outdated and I'm not sure if it is still in print. Hopefully new, updated editions are coming soon!
Again, doesn't include every national park, and some that are included are actually national monuments or historical sites rather than official "National Parks". Included parks are: Acadia, Bryce Canyon, Cuyahoga Valley, Death Valley, Everglades, Gettysburg, Glacier, Grand Canyon, Grand Tetons, Great Smoky Mountains, Hawai'i Volcanoes, Joshua Tree, Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial, Mt. Ranier, Olympic, Rocky Mountains, Yellowstone, Yosemite, and Zion. Also note there is also a Scholastic "Rookie" national park series for younger readers.
*Best for Older Readers*
Preserving America series by Creative Education
Multiple authors & illustrators
201648 pages
Recommended for ages 10-14This series is not for someone who wants quickly-digestible tidbits of information and to be able to flip through a book a quickly get a good "feel" for a place. However, if you need a source for a school report or project or want to do more in-depth reading, this series fits the bill. While these books do have plenty of color photographs, they also have pages of dense text written at a higher reading level. A glossary and index are included, as well as a more detailed map and longer bibliography of books and websites for additional information.
Note this is an older series, so information may be dated, but it does include some parks not found in other series. Parks included are: Badlands, Big Bend, Death Valley, Everglades, Grand Canyon, Grand Teton, Great Smoky Mountains, Rocky Mountain, Yellowstone, and Yosemite.
*Most Artistic*
Earth's Incredible Places series by Flying Eye Books
Multiple authors
2023/202480 pages
Recommended for ages 8-12This series currently includes two U.S. National Parks, Grand Canyon and Yellowstone. These books are absolute works of art, with lovely illustrations throughout, gorgeous endpapers, and beautiful emobssed cloth covers; just beautiful! They would be great for a personal collection, but the covers aren't going to hold up well in a public or school library as they will hold onto dirt and stains and can't be easily cleaned. This series is for the older reader, with more pages and more text per page, and provides more in-depth info about the history, geography, and ecology of the park, and also includes a map, albeit heavily stylized. However, while it gives a general idea of things to do in the park, it doesn't give any specific sites, and though the illustrations are absolutely lovely, they don't give one as good of a "feel" for the park as photographs so best to pair with a book from one of the other series.

*Fold-Out Map*
Where Is... series by WhoHQ
Multiple authors
Penguin, 2024
Around 100 pages
Ages 10-14
This series also currently only includes two national parks, Yellowstone and the Grand Canyon, and is for older readers who want information and don't care about photographs. Like the original and oh, so popular Who Is/Was...? biography series, this book is written in a more narrative, chapter book format with only black & write drawings. However, it scores points for the color fold-out map, detailed timeline, and bibliography in the back.
These are just some of the books related to national parks that are available. There are several more encyclopedia-type books that I was not able to get copies of to review, as well as a number of boardbooks (though surprisingly almost no picturebooks) and stand-alone books on individual parks. In addition, there are several activity and coloring books that can be purchased online.
To find more on national parks, try searching for "National Parks" or the name of a specific national park, then narrow your search by fiction or non-fiction, and age group/intended audience. Or ask your local librarian or bookseller for help! You can also check the official websites for each park, or download the official National Park app. Don't forget, there are many other federal parks, forests, wilderness areas, wildlife sactuaries, monuments, and historical sites that are not designated as "National Parks", plus a plethora of state parks and historic sites!