If you enjoy exploring nature, this is a great book for the family!
I borrowed this book from a neighbor. Well, JUST had to get one of my own! I live in Maine, USA. Our family loves exploring outside. They love finding something botanical, and watching birds. This book is easy to use, full of general knowledge, and it is fun looking up items to identify. Even though it is illustrated with sketch drawings, they are very detailed! Some pages at the begining with detailed desriptions of habitats and forests. Separated sections for mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians, fish, invertabrates, trees and shrubs, wildflowers, non flowering plants, and mushrooms. No, it probably doesn't have every single little thing in these areas, it is a well informative with the most popular items, and is a great start in identifying. It has common, biological, and alternative names. Also, highlighted areas for habitat ranges, tips on identifying, including pointing out of specific markings, a little info on consumtion and how the Natives used them, closeups of barks, flowers/fruits of plants, and approximate sizes of items. The book is made to be used, and I believe you will get your money's worth out of it. I feel it was worth the investment. When I tried finding this book in bookstores, I have found that since this publishing, the book can still be bought, but not in this format. The sections have their own printing seperately now. So, if you want 'brand new' you will pay for 4 seperate books, that are twice the size, instead of just this one. Luckily, I was able to track this book down on an auction site. It is hardcover, and not too big to bring on a daytrip hiking. Enjoy.Read full review
