National Park Books for Kids

I have been going to the national parks since I was a child.

     My interest in the spectacular features of the land
and the ability to view wildlife in its natural habitat keeps
me coming back.  I enjoy exploring new places and
hiking trails that are off the beaten path.  Because of my love of the national parks, conservation efforts taking place there are of great importance to me.

I hope that my books inspire a similar interest in you.

Danger in the Narrows: Adventures with the Parkers
Bryce & Zion, Book 1

Join the Parkers as they embark on their first national park adventure.  Twins, Morgan and James, explore the natural wonders of Bryce and Zion, journeying among the hoodoos and sleeping beneath the stars.  But the trip takes a turn for the worse in the treacherous Zion Narrows- can they rescue Dad from a dangerous fall?

94 pages,  Fulcrum Publishing
ISBN 978-1-55591-532-2

The Everglades

Water and plant life create a flowing "river of grass" throughout Everglades National Park.  Everglades' muddy swamps and creeks are home to a wide variety of plants and animals.  Visit the only place in the world where alligators and crocodiles live together.

24 pages,  Published by Capstone Press
Hardcover   ISBN 0-7368-2219-4

Eye of the Grizzly: Adventures with the Parkers
Yellowstone, Book 4

Join the Parkers as they explore the wonders of America's first national park, Yellowstone.  While in Yellowstone, Morgan and James marvel over the geysers, thermal pools, and the vast array of wildlife.  But when they come face to face with a grizzly, what will they do?

94 pages,  Fulcrum Publishing
ISBN 978-1-55591-568-1

Glacier National Park

Take a hike on just one of the 700 miles of hiking trails in Glacier National Park and the beauty will captivate you.  The cascading waterfalls, turquoise-colored lakes, snow-capped mountains, and icy glaciers are just a few of the breathtaking sites you'll see at the park.

24 pages,  Published by Capstone Press
Hardcover  ISBN 0-7368-2220-8

Going to the Sun: Adventures with the Parkers
Glacier, Book 8

In the eighth book in the Adventure with the Parkers series, the Parkers visit Glacier National Park in Montana. As they enjoy the waterfalls and uniquely sculpted mountains while the park's glaciers glimmer above them, the Parkers learn that because of global warming, the glaciers may not last that much longer.  During their family hikes they encounter a lot of wildlife, including moose, mountain goats, and grizzly bears, but the smoke and flames of summer fires may thwart their vacation plans.  Will Dad be able to bike over Going-to-the-Sun Road in celebration of his fortieth birthday?

96 pages, Fulcrum Publishing
ISBN 978-1-55591-671-8

Grand Canyon National Park

The Grand Canyon is up to 18 miles wide and more than 1 mile deep in some places, which makes it one of the largest canyons in the world.  The amazing thing is that this wonder was created mostly by the flowing waters of the Colorado River.

24 pages,  Published by Capstone Press
Hardcover  ISBN 0-7368-1375-6

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

It's really not smoke rising off the mountains, but warm air turning to fog because of the cold mountain temperatures.  The Smoky Mountains are home to many interesting plants and animals, and are even known as the salamander capital of the world.

24 pages,  Published by Capstone Press
Hardcover  ISBN 0-7368-1376-4

Harrowing Ascent of Half Dome: Adventures with the Parkers
Yosemite, Book 3

The Parkers hit the trail once again, this time in Yosemite, one of the country's most popular parks.  In Yosemite, James and Morgan take in the beauty of the sequoia trees, hike alongside waterfalls and even attempt an ascent of the cables.  Will they make it to the top of the infamous Half Dome?

94 pages,  Fulcrum Publishing
ISBN 978-1-55591-609-1

Mammoth Cave National Park

What lies in the passages of the world's longest cave?  Learn about blind cavefish, the Snowball Room, a gunpowder mine, and more in this book about Mammoth Cave National Park.  The full-color photos and maps make reading about this large cave and the area surrounding it easy and fun.

24 pages,  Published by Capstone Press
Hardcover  ISBN 0-7368-2221-6

National Parks America's Best Idea

Learn about the National Park System.  Find out about the top ten most visited national parks, plus other parks as well.  Explore the role that people play in the national parks.

40 pages,  Published by Rigby
ISBN 0-7578-2020-4

National Parks Projects

Let National Parks Projects guide your students on a scenic adventure!  As students begin their tours of research and exploration, they'll gain the knowledge and expertise that qualifies them to become national park "rangers" for a day.  Using an integrated approach  that encompasses all curriculum areas, students prepare posters, charts, maps, speeches, debates, and displays to highlight their findings.  Students will be buzzing with enthusiasm as they creatively design ranger stations to feature their knowledge at a national parks fair.  From the ornate underworld of Carlsbad Caverns to the massive icy glaciers of Mount Rainier, students will be enchanted by the scenic wonders of our national parks, appreciate the delicate ecosystems, and gain fresh awareness of environmental issues and concerns.  Don't miss the adventure!  Pack your bags and join this exploration of natural wonder and beauty.

160 pages,  Published by Fearon Teacher Aids
ISBN 0853-934-4

Olympic National Park

People think that Olympic National Park is like three parks in one.  It has glacier-capped mountain peaks, thick rain forest filled with some of the world's largest trees, and stretches for mile along the Pacific coast.

24 pages,  Published by Capstone Press
Hardcover  ISBN 0-7368-1377-2

Peril on Longs Peak: Adventures with the Parkers
Rocky Mountain, Book 7

In the seventh book in the Adventure with the Parkers series, the family heads to Colorado to visit the high peaks of Rocky Mountain National Park.  When the snow clears, the parks many famous sights are on display: Trail Ridge Road, spectacular wildflowers, elk, waterfalls, and unique alpine tundra.  The family's big adventure?  A hike up Longs Peak, a Colorado "fourteener."  But afternoon storms begin to pelt the family during their training hikes, and they begin to question the wisdom of a nighttime summit ascent.

96 pages, Fulcrum Publishing
ISBN 978-1-55591-667-1

Ridge Runner Rescue: Adventures with the Parkers
Great Smoky Mountains, Book 6

With their great-grandfather's journal as their guide, Morgan and James head east to the most visited national park in the country: the Great Smoky Mountains.  The twins and their parents backpack twenty-six miles along the Appalachian Trail, learning the park's unusual history and experiencing its amazing diversity- spotting both the synchronized fireflies and the world's largest salamander.  But will the adventure end when Morgan comes down with a mysterious illness?

94 pages,  Fulcrum Publishing
ISBN 978-1-55591-628-2

Rocky Mountain National Park

Rocky Mountain National Park is filled with tall, mountainous peaks, many which rise above the tree line where the weather is too harsh for trees to grow.  Yet the park is filled with many interesting plants, animals, and sites.

24 pages,  Published by Capstone Press
Hardcover  ISBN 0-7368-1378-0

Tail of the Scorpion: Adventures with the Parkers
Grand Canyon, Book 2

The Parkers are back for another adventure in the Grand Canyon.  Morgan and James brave a steep twenty-one mile hike from rim to rim.  As they face heatstroke, exhaustion, and even a run-in with scorpions, they wonder, "Can we make the grueling climb to the top?"

94 pages,  Fulcrum Publishing
ISBN 978-1-55591-533-9

Touch of the Tide Pool, Crack of the Glacier: Adventures with the Parkers, Olympic, Book 5

Join the Parkers as they journey to Olympic National Park in the Pacific Northwest, where they explore the tide pools along the coast, hike through Olympic's dense rain forest, and experience the famed alpine scenery and immense glaciers.  Treacherous mountain terrain could stop them in their tracks.  Could it prove to be ultimately too dangerous?

94 pages,  Fulcrum Publishing
ISBN 978-1-55591-627-5

Yellowstone National Park

Early explorers were amazed by Yellowstone's boiling mud volcanoes and explosive geysers.  As news of these strange features spread, people knew that the area should be protected for future generations to see.  Thus the idea of national parks was born as Yellowstone became the first national park in the world.

24 pages,  Published by Capstone Press
Hardcover  ISBN 0-7368-1379-9

Yosemite National Park

In 1864, President Abraham Lincoln signed a bill meant to protect Yosemite Valley's scenic beauty.  Never before had the U.S. government set land aside just for people's enjoyment.  Learn why more than 3 million people now visit Yosemite National Pak each year.

24 pages,  Published by Capstone Press
Hardcover  ISBN 0-7368-1380-2

Zion National Park

Discover what makes the Weeping Rocks weep and how one of the world's largest arches formed in this book about Zion National Park.  See the beauty of Zion's hanging gardens, river canyons, and rock formations found along Zion's many hiking trails.

24 pages,  Published by Capstone Press
Hardcover  ISBN 0-7368-2222-4