#BookBoy is a huge fan of exploring and planning his own mini expeditions so is always very interested in any books I receive which have an ‘adventuring’ theme. I’m going to share four with you which he has enjoyed delving into.
‘Adventures on Earth’ by Simon Tyler (Pavilion)
This wonderful book is absolutely packed with information about some of the Earth’s most extreme environments and those who choose to explore them. Visit volcanoes, deserts, mountains, rivers, jungles, oceans – everywhere you could possibly think of! There’s also a strong conservation thread running through the text, asking readers to think about how we can protect and conserve regions under threat.
Absoultely fascinating to delve into and full of Tyler’s trademark bold, graphic illustrations and maps and featuring explorers known and lesser known. 9+
’Wild Girl: How to have incredible adventures,’ by Helen Skelton, illustrated by Liz Kay (Walker Books)
Join Helen Skelton (best know for presenting Blue Peter) on her wild adventures around the world. She has been lucky enough to visit some of the most beautiful places on Earth and completed some incredible feats of endurance, and although we can’t all do that, Helen does have some suggestions for adventures which can be had a little closer to home and under the supervision of an adult.
I enjoyed the format which took us through Helen’s training schedules, shared her kit lists and then gave us diary entries based on the challenges themselves. All with plenty of illustrations and fact boxes to keep the interest level high. 9+
‘Explorers: Amazing Tales of the World’s Greatest Adventurers,’ by Nellie Huang, illustrated by Jessamy Hawke (DK)
This book tells the stories of over 50 bold and brave adventurers. You’ll be pleased to know that they’re not all white men, there’s a mix of other ethnicities and women in there too! Learn about Sung-Taek Hong, the South Korean mountaineer known for reaching all ‘Three Poles.’ Or perhaps about Ynés Mexia, the Mexican-American botanist who gathered more than 65,000 specimens during her trek along the Amazon River?
There’s plenty to look at in highly-illustrated double-page spreads, which are full of information, photos, maps and artefacts to help bring the adventures to life. 8+
‘Alastair Humphreys’ Great Adventurers,’ by Alastair Humphreys, illustrated by Kevin Ward (Big Picture Press)
This book introduces its readers to some of the world’s greatest explorers, hand-picked by National Geographic’s Adventurer of the Year, Alastair Humphreys. These bold adventurers are some of his personal heroes, whose deeds inspired Alastair to have his own adventures.
There’s lots to explore in this absorbing book: maps, kit lists, diary entries, fun facts and statistics from the trip and lots of gorgeous illustrations. Humphreys also goes to pains to point out that a lot of the adventures had by westerners wouldn’t have been possible were it not for the skills and knowledge of the local people. 8+
Although I’m more of an armchair explorer, Book Boy was throughly enthused by the collection of adventurers portrayed in these books. He paid particularly close attention to the kit lists so I can imagine some karabiners and crampons finding their way into his Christmas list!
Library Girl.
*Thank you to all the publishers who sent me these titles to review*
Library Girl and Book Boy 