50 True Tales from Our Great National Parks

by Stephanie Pearson, Madeline Kloepper (illustrator)

Immerse yourself in the wonder and diversity of America's great outdoors with 50 true stories inspired by some of its most iconic national parks.   This gift treasury collection gathers real-life stories from parks big and small from across the USA, including Great Smoky Mountains,Yellowstone, Yosemite, Glacier Bay, Virgin Islands, Grand Canyon, Acadia, Hawaii Volcanoes, Denali, Everglades, and many, many more.   Some tell human tales of triumph, bravery, and exploration, feats of endurance and moments of dazzling discovery.   Others are tales of remarkable animals, magnificent plants, outstanding natural features and events.   Some explore the past, telling how certain parks came to be and their impacts both good and bad, while others recount recent events such as inspiring stories of conservation and nature and communities bouncing back.   Each story is linked to a particular park, telling the tale of an animal or plant, community or individual, phenomenon or event. Accompanied by rich, evocative artwork, these stories grant readers a new way to explore these awe-inspiring places.   Stories The Amazing Acrobats of Glacier Bay – the humpback whales that perform an incredible ballet-like dance through the chilly waters. The Bransfords of Mammoth Cave – the inspiring tale of a Black American family’s dedication and excellence exploring and guiding people through these vast caves in Kentucky. The Supernatural Powers of the Ancient Redwood – an exploration of these magnificent trees in Redwood National Park and their awesome powers to repel threats from fire, fungi, and insects.   The Greatest Discovery – the tale of a curious little girl who discovered the fossil of a long-extinct creature at Badlands National Park, South Dakota. The Return of the Wolves – the inspirational story of how wolves were reintroduced to Yellowstone and helped the ecosystem flourish once more. Keepers of the Light – the story of the four lighthouses of Isle Royale National Park and the heroic keepers who helped passing sailors and passengers. The perfect accompaniment to bestselling National Parks of the USA, this book is for families and young readers looking to for longer-form, nonfiction stories, packed with information about America's great national parks. Some stories may be familiar, while many will reveal hidden gems from history as well as fascinating trivia and science. Altogether, the tales within combine to form a celebration of these awe-inspiring, living landscapes. This book is made to be enjoyed and revisited again and again. National Parks Denali National Park Biscayne National Park Glacier Bay National Park Great Sand Dunes National Park Lassen Volcanic National Park Pinnacles Volcanic National Park Lake Clark National Park Katmai National Park Channel Islands National Park Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park Yosemite National Park Redwood National Park Mount Rainier National Park Crater Lake National Park Olympic National Park North Cascades National Park American Samoa National Park Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Haleakala National Park Virgin Islands National Glacier National Park Yellowstone National Park Rocky Mountain National Park Grand Teton National Park Great Basin National Park Capitol Reef National Park Bryce Canyon National Park Zion National Park Death Valley National Park White Sands National Park Saguaro National Park Grand Canyon National Park Mesa Verde National Park Petrified Forest National Park Carlsbad Caverns National Park Arches National Park Theodore Roosevelt National Park Wind Cave National Park Badlands National Park Isle Royale National Park Voyageurs National Park Cuyahoga National Park Big Bend National Park Mammoth Cave National Park Great Smoky Mountains National Park Shenandoah National Park Congaree National Park Everglades National Park Dry Tortugas National Park Acadia National P

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Travel, Nature, Childrens, Picture Books, Middle Grade

128 pages, Hardcover

Published September 3, 2024

Reviews

[Sheila · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free copy of, 50 True Tales from Our Great National Parks, by Stephanie Pearson, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This is a really enjoyable book, with great illustrations, about our great national parks, and stories about them. From Alaska, to South Dakota, to Hawaii, and everywhere in between. I learned so much about our beautiful and great national parks,

[Ankit Saxena · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐⭐½ (4.5/5 stars) || “Wild Wonders and Untold Stories: A Vivid Journey Through America’s National Parks”

Stephanie Pearson’s '50 True Tales from Our Great National Parks' is a beautifully curated anthology that takes readers on a journey through the memorable characters, moments, and marvels found within America’s national parks. Each anecdote—whether about intrepid explorers, legendary wildlife encounters, acts of bold conservation, or Indigenous stories—captures the spirit of these protected landscapes while offering genuine insight and emotional resonance.

Pearson’s storytelling strikes the perfect balance between vivid narrative and historical depth. The tales are concise and engaging enough to hold the attention of young adults, yet rich enough to inspire further curiosity in both younger and older readers. Her voice conveys respect, wonder, and a real sense of place throughout.

Minor criticisms: a few parks receive more attention than others, leading to some uneven coverage. And in a few stories, the brevity leaves you longing for more detail or follow‑up. But these are small quibbles in what remains a compelling and heartfelt collection.

Ultimately, Stephanie Pearson delivers an educational and emotionally resonant tribute to our national parks—inviting readers to appreciate history, biodiversity, and the people who have helped shape these wild spaces. A rewarding read for families, classrooms, or anyone seeking connection to nature’s stories.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this book in exchange for an honest review.
This is a beautiful book with a wide range of national parks. The background on each park varies from the human aspect to the nature aspect. The illustrations are very good. This would make a great coffee table book.

[Literary Redhead · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fabulous book for the whole family with engaging stories related to 50 U.S. national parks. I loved the clean design, colorful illustrations, and facts shared. Buying for my home library and as gifts for my park-loving family.

[Sara Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super fast read on the history of some of the National Parks.

[Penny · Rating 4 out of 5]

The tales in 50 True Tales from Our Great National Parks met my expectations in some ways and surprised me in others. As expected, there were plenty of stories about the flora and fauna, and some about the establishment of the parks. There were many mentions of the people, mainly indigenous but some of European descent, who were sadly forced to leave their homes when parks were established on their lands. Some of their legends are preserved by the parks and related in the book. There were many who accomplished “firsts”: the first to free-climb El Capitan, the first woman to be a ranger-naturalist in the Grand Canyon, and the first to climb various peaks, for example. The one that felt most odd represented Death Valley: the majority of the essay was a story about a woman who traveled through the area with her family on the way to California. It was an admirable story about a strong woman who worked hard to make sure her husband and children made it to California alive, but the connection to Death Valley seemed only to be that she had been there and that someone in a party similar to hers had died there and given the place its name. With that exception, I’m glad the author chose to cover topics that were diverse, rather than simply covering descriptions of the parks, or giving their origin stories. The illustrations would probably be called “Primitive” in style and are colorful, if not “realistic,” depictions of the landscapes and animals. I think that the artwork and the stories will appeal to younger readers in late elementary and junior high schools. As an adult, I also enjoyed the stories and remembering the parks that I have visited.

[Debra Gaynor · Rating 5 out of 5]

50 True Tales From Our Great National Parks
Stephanie Pearson, Madeline Kloepper (illustrator)
Each of the National Parks is unique and each one has true and fascinating stories. Among the parks are Yellowstone, Glacier Bay, Grand Canyon, Hawaii Volcanoes, Smoky Mountains, Yosemite, virgina Islands, Acadia, Denali, Everglades, etc. The stories cover a number of items such as: plants, natural features like waterfalls, events, animals, the founding, conservation, nature and communities.
I’ve visited a few of the National Parks and personally witnessed the beautiful treasures they have to offer. I’ve visited Mammoth Cave several times, there is an moving tale of a Black American that explored and guided people through the vast cave system. Glacier Bay is famous for the humpback whales that execute an unbelievable dance through the cold waters. The Redwood National Park is known for the beautiful Redwoods that have endured flames, fungi and creatures. Badlands National Park tells the story of a little girl that found a fossil. Yellowstone tells the story of the return of the wolves. Isle Royale National Park tells the story of four lighthouses, the keepers that keep the light burning to protect the passing sailors.
Whether you are planning a trip to one of the National Parks or not you will enjoy the stories behind the parks. The watercolor illustrations bring the parks to life and demonstrate the beauty and the wonder of the National Parks.
Thank you NetGalley for a copy of this book for review.

[Guisel Berry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun way to see and learn about our national parks. The illustrations are great. A few things bothered me about this book and that is the order was chaotic, I was hoping to either have it organized alphabetically by NP name or by state. It wasn’t a huge deal until the label for each national park was more of a nickname/tale in bold with the NP name and state, not in bold, underneath - again not a huge deal but for your eyes to easily glance and see what NP it is or the state. I also understand maybe some of the NP may not have a huge story worth sharing (St. Louis Arch when compared to Glacier National Park) but I did think it was odd the author lumped 13 national parks into two pages as a “oh yeah these as well” and wrote how they were limited with space in the book - not sure just seemed odd to me.

I received this as an ARC from NetGalley for an honest review.

[Kaye · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this interesting and informative book about National Parks. I of course turned first to parks in my own state and found new to me stories, although I’ve visited the parks many times. Some stories are about the land or animals, others include pioneering people who may have been the first to climb or discover something new. I didn’t know that John Wesley Powell's sister was a botanist and discovered new unknown plants in Capitol Reef NP, that are named for her. I like that this is the kind of book that you don’t need to read straight through but can look for parks you’ve visited or ones that may be in your future travel plans. I can easily see this is my school library for older grades and up. Thank you to NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group for the temporary ARC and I am leaving an honest review.

[Hannah Faye · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC TOUR: 50 True Tales from Our Great National Parks.

Written by: Stephanie Pearson and Illustrated by Madeline Kloepper

Pub Date: Out Now


Immerse yourself in the wonder and diversity of America’s great outdoors with 50 true stories inspired by some of its most iconic national parks.

—————————————————

This was a perfect gorgeous book for readers of all ages to get to know our national parks. A great introduction for those who are not familiar with our national parks. This book was also intentional on the mentions and stories about the indigenous tribes that lived in these parks. The illustrations were simple but really told the stories in a beautiful way.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you NetGalley and Wide Eyed Editions for sending me this ebook for review consideration.

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed the time I spent reading this book.
The earthy toned colour palette is the perfect companion for the exquisite illustrations inside. It’s educational in an engaging way with its simplistic but creative language for young readers while maintaining interesting information, important history and inclusivity. I loved how each page was centred on a different National Park for a variety of stories, and whether you enjoy learning about history, nature or culture, there is something for everyone. When published, I will definitely be picking up a copy to sit proudly on my shelf.

Thank you NetGalley for providing a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Bailey · Rating 4 out of 5]

The set up of this book gives the feeling of a child-friendly coffee table book - filled with beautiful pictures and easy to read stories. The illustrations are wonderfully done in and each National Park story is filled with interesting facts and pieces of the park’s history. The best part though is that it covers a wide range of National Parks - from the more commonly known parks, like Zion and The Great Smoky Mountains, to lesser known ones, like Isle Royale and Cuyahoga Valley. After finishing this book, I added quite a few more destinations to my must-see list! Thank you NetGalley for the advanced copy for review!

[Kendra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full of beautiful illustrations and easy to read stories! This is a gem for any outdoor loving family. I can picture parents or grandparents sitting with children gathered to read each story and plan their adventures. As an avid National Park visitor with a teenager, I still found myself fascinated by this book’s contents and reminiscing about the ones we have visited. I would happily display as a coffee table book.

Thank you NetGalley, Quarto Publishing Group - Wide Eyed Editions, author Stephanie Pearson, and illustrator Madeline Kloepper for the ARC in exchange for my honest review. “50 True Tales from Our Great National Parks” is expected to be published September 3, 2024!

[Jennifer Sullivan · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. A collection of short (very short) stories about 50 of our national parks. Most are tales of historical fact; a few are native folklore. Like another reviewer mentioned, I was a bit confused by the apparent random order they appeared; I would expect to be in order of adoption as national parks, alphabetic order, or geographically by state and region, but it was totally random. I was also annoyed that they only did 50 of the national parks, and left off 13 of them (other than a brief listing at the end). Seems like a very odd choice. But it's a decent book to give kids a brief glimpse of the national parks.

[Bzz Kolla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group – Wide Eyed Editions for this eCopy to review

50 True Tales from our Great National Parks is a great treasury of stories from across the USA, they feature a range of types from animals and nature to pioneering people all beautifully illustrated. This is definitely a book to get lost in and may be one day I'll be lucky enough to have visited all 50 parks.

The stories are only a few pages long so this is perfect for bedtime reading and you'll loads of fun facts along the way

[Susanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the author, Quarto Publishing Group – Wide Eyed Editions and NetGalley, for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This wonderful children's book introduces 50 national parks, across a wide spectrum and includes a short story - accompanied by great illustrations - for each park. We loved reading about each park, and went down the rabbit hole with quite a few of them to explore more of them online. Exactly what you want to happen, to awaken children's interest for the wonders of the natural world around them.

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a true gem and a fantastic addition to any classroom or home library for upper elementary-age children. The detailed illustrations are captivating, and the true stories about the National Parks introduced me to fascinating facts I hadn’t encountered before. I loved exploring the highlights of 50 National Parks, with Isle Royale and Acadia National Park being personal favorites—especially since I discovered new insights about places I've already visited. A heartfelt thank you to NetGalley for providing an advance copy of 50 True Tales From Our Great National Parks!

[Amanda Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful guide for the curious kid and adventure seekers of all ages. Beautiful illustrations accompany entertaining and interesting stories from all of the United States National Parks. A must read for those planning a trip to see any of these beautiful locations and for those of us struck with wanderlust.

Big thanks to NetGalley for access to this ARC.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

We were given a digital ARC to read by NetGalley.

We absolutely love learning about the National Parks and this book did not disappoint.

Beautiful illustrations with fun stories that give you lesser known facts about the National Parks. Easy to read and information was presented in a fun way.

[Sirah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Explore a bunch of USA's National Parks. Each page features a colorful illustration alongside a short story. Some stories are about natural phenomena, some are about animals, and some are about special people or events that are connected to that park. I particularly appreciate that the author took time to consider Native American peoples and some of the ways that parks have had checkered pasts. However, each story is simple and cheerful, celebrating and treasuring each unique park. While this isn't a great book to read all in one sitting, it's a fun one to pull out for daily story time or bedtime. It combines history and science in an attractive way and doesn't skimp on fun facts. It's written to appeal to early elementary students, and I suspect many in second or third grade could successfully read this book on their own.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC. All opinions are my own.

[Bibliohiker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for letting me review this book. This was a fun read with interactive facts about the national parks. The drawings were great as well.

[Sue · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this as a Christmas gift & it was a fun read with lovely illustrations. The stories were interesting & varied. My only complaint is that it could have used a better editor.

[Carla Small · Rating 5 out of 5]

The stories were short and sweet. Just enough details to keep you focused. It was nice to hear of some of the parks for the first time like isle royale in Michigan. We ended up looking it up and adding it to our future adventures list. Learning facts like the name change to Denali National Park.

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading through this book of our national parks. The tales told in this book offer a side to our national parks that is not often discussed. The illustrations are gorgeous and very eye-catching for children of all ages!

[Olympia · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had this at 3-stars, but I decided to knock it down another star because it doesn't provide much information that you couldn't find on wikipedia or the nps.gov websites for these parks. And why wasn't every park included?

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Found in L4L Volume 165. (I loved these stories!!)(Also found in School Starter Kit '25)

[Marissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

We loved the beautiful illustrations and how much detailed information the author included on each park and it’s history. Learned about many parks and animals we had not even heard of before. Would recommend both to young and older children that are interested in learning about animals. Seems like a fun guide for helping families looking to explore somewhere new too! Thanks for the ARC!