Young Explorers Nature Journal: Observing Activities for Exploring Nature Outdoors by Stephen Nett is a non-fiction interactive children's guide for those looking to expand their connection to the natural landscape. Nett explains early on that the purpose of this book is to encourage the use of sensory abilities through exploration, and the focus here is specifically on observation. These are streamlined into four proactive steps to observing and journaling. Step one, Explore, is a call to go outside and discover places in nature. Step two, Find, is to prompt a search for something new in the place we've discovered. Step three, Observe, is for the conscientious, meaningful observation of nature. These include things like really studying a flower, taking in its color, texture, and maybe how it smells. Step four, Journal, is for the structured Explorer's Journal that has children writing, coloring, drawing, and making memories of their natural discovery. The pages are in full vibrant color with appealing font changes and photography to pull the activity and the book's visuals together.

What I like the most about Young Explorer's Nature Journal is the way author and naturalist Stephen Nett uses consistent, streamlined journal sections to make sure we do not stop observing and journaling everything once the “newness” of the book wears off a bit. In a perfect world, children would be enthralled by every moment, but parents will understand that even the most awe-inspired child can have the attention span of a ferret. The activity prompts are simple and engaging and the sectioned journal is absolutely perfect. Looking for water in a space was the least expected as it was not something in nature I ever noticed. Now I find myself staring into puddles for any sign of life. Drawing what we heard, taping leaves to a page and, my child's favorite, looking for nuts, berries, or seeds, are now an established hobby. This is a wonderful book and I have no doubt others who pick it up will feel the same way.