The World Needs the Wonder You See

by Joanna Gaines, Julianna Swaney (Illustrator)

New York Times bestselling author Joanna Gaines welcomes you on an imaginative adventure through nature’s small surprises and invites you and your children to be curious, slow down, and take in everyday wonders. With vibrant art by Julianna Swaney that is full of dreamy details, this whimsical picture book will inspire your family to pause busy schedules and explore together.

In The World Needs the Wonder You See, you and your kids will

slow your pace, look closely, and find joy as you make discoveries together;join a diverse cast of children on a journey below leaves, amidst treetops, under ocean waves, through rabbits’ tunnels, and into the clouds;imagine hidden worlds in which ladybugs live in tiny cabins, snails journey through mushroom fields, and stars paint stories across the sky; andlearn to notice the amazing beauty that children naturally see.This companion book to The World Needs Who You Were Made to Be is perfect for

children ages 4–8;grandparents, parents, teachers, and librarians;classroom story times and discussions about valuing others’ ideas and perspectives;households that enjoy watching Chip and Joanna on Magnolia Network and HGTV’s Fixer Upper; andholiday or Christmas gift-giving, birthdays, graduations, or other celebrations.Inspired by Joanna’s young son’s insistence to “look up!” and the shift to a slower perspective she enjoyed after having her last child, this book shares the delight of taking a friend by the hand, getting your boots muddy, and discovering the secrets just waiting to be uncovered.

Celebrate the wonder of the world through a child’s eyes in this imaginative book about all the beauty, hope, and surprise hiding in plain sight. Look up. Lean in. Bend low. Reach for new heights. Every day, from every place, there’s more to see in this great big world of possibility.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Nature, Adventure, Kids, Juvenile, Nonfiction

32 pages, Hardcover

Published January 28, 2025

About the author

Joanna Gaines is co-owner, co-founder and lead designer of Magnolia Homes, and co-stars in HGTV’s Fixer Upper with her husband Chip Gaines. She is the mother of five and lives in Waco, Texas.

Reviews

[Emmy · Rating 2 out of 5]

If I'm being completely honest with y'all, I'm not a huge fan of Chip and Joanna Gaines. But, this book looked really cute, so I thought I'd give it a read-through. And while the illustrations were darling and the message was a good one, I thought the book was a little flat.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Looking at the world with a child’s viewpoint, young readers (and their parents) see the many beauties we often overlook in our busy lives. You will be drawn into the world around you and come out with a fresh respect for even the tiniest details that surround you. The Illustrations are absolutely stunning! From the rich colors and attention to detail to the great forest and depths of the sea, you are drawn into even the tiniest wonders you see. While the entire book is full of beauty and detail, the forest pages just drew me in and created a sense of calmness.

[Jennifer J · Rating 3 out of 5]

I won this book in a giveaway 😀 My kids have really enjoyed reading this book, identifying animals in the pictures and talking about what they are curious about. It is fun to read with them.

[Nikita Wells · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the cutest kids book!

First off, I loved the cover on this book. It's eye-catching and colorful like all the artwork throughout the book.

The art in the background was one of my favorite elements in this storybook. The illustrations were colorful but in soft tones that were calm and relaxing to look at.

The kids were also drawn nicely.
I appreciated how the author thought to include a little girl in a wheelchair as well. That was so sweet and thoughtful.

The attention to small details in the drawing was nice too, with different little critters on each page.

The only things I would change was a couple of the little girls had on shorts that were a little too small or short for them, and one girl wore a one-piece swimsuit.

Otherwise, this book was fine. :)

This was a cool kids read from the Gaines family that I definitely enjoyed, and I'd say your kiddos will too.

I received a complimentary e-book from Tommy Nelson Publishers to review through Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review, and the thoughts above are my own.

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful book about the wonders all around us that we often overlook! This book has a great message about slowing down and taking in the world around you. It's a great book for teaching about how to appreciate the world around you. The illustrations in this book are also breathtaking and go perfectly with the story.

Thank you so much to Netgalley and Tommy Nelson for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

[Gennifer Tetreault · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a really cute book with a good message for both children and adults. Having a child makes you sit back and observe the wonders of life and the importance of the small moments — making you realize that the small moments are actually the big moments all along. Would recommend!

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC!

[Noel Huston · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful book with a wonderful message for kids and adults. I picked it up at the library out of curiosity knowing who the author is but will purchase it as a keeper to put into rotation at home.

[Relyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enh.

I hate to gibe this a middling three stars because I love Joanna Gaines. But. It really is just enh. Maybe even two stars, but I couldn't do that. The idea was good, the it fell flat. The rhythm and cadence of the words were off, and I didn't especially like the illustrations.

[Gabrielle Stoller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having a child truly does make you sit back and see the wonders of the world. Why in the world do we not look at the simple things as we get older? Why don't we embrace the world around us more? Truly, we need to slow down......look.....and wonder.

[Peacegal · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delightful celebration of looking closer at the natural world!

[Alyssa Shull · Rating 5 out of 5]

Joanna Gaines writes the cutest children's books. I was so excited to read her latest to my kids. I read it with my two girls, aged 10 and 3 and they both loved it. I love how Joanna invites you to look beyond the surface. The book encourages readers to see the wonder behind the ordinary. Such a sweet encouragement to get kids away from screens and into the outdoors and nature. It is so easy these days to stay inside and be on devices. Once children go outside and allow themselves to be bored they will begin to see the wonder.

The illustrations are so cute and are very similar to her previous books. The Illustrator Julianna Swaney just simply makes the cutest illustrations for children's books. I love the representation of kids of all skin colors along with a chiId in a wheelchair. The nature and animals are so so adorable!

I highly recommend this book for kids ages 2-6. But the older kids and adults will enjoy it too ;) This is perfect for parents to read to their children for a bedtime story.

Thank you Tommy Nelson for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

[Vera Godley · Rating 4 out of 5]

The idea behind this book is two-fold (in my opinion). First, it is the truism that as adults we cease to behold the wonder of discovery of that which is all around us. Secondly, the future is in the awesome curious mind and eye of a child. Yes, the world needs the wonder that the curious mind of a young child beholds.

As the gentle, lightly rhyming text takes the reader through a day, the illustrations use a beautiful backdrop on each page and place a group of children discovering bits and pieces of what is about them. A bunch of ants marching in parade and bees gathering honey. The amazing plethora of discoveries to be made on a walk through the forest. And an imaginative look at the ground beneath their feet and the world it holds.

This is a lovely, gentle book with an impactful message to nurture the child's curious nature and share that which you see and discover with those about you.
While Tommy Nelson Children's Books is traditionally a Christian publishing house, there is no mention of God or Scripture in this book.

I received a complimentary copy to facilitate a review. Opinions are mine alone and are freely given.

[Channinge Cannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely love the message that this story shares! Each person was created uniquely and brings something different and special to the table. The World Needs the Wonder You See by Joanna Gaines is a celebration of that uniqueness. It stresses the importance of being curious and viewing the world with an open mind and then sharing our experiences and discoveries with others. I think it is a wonderful opportunity to share with our little ones how special they are, how valuable their thoughts and experiences are, and how important it is to really explore the world they live in.

The illustrations are also great. They are colorful and captivating without being too overwhelming. My kids enjoyed looking at the pictures and pointing out all of the different animals and insects they saw. I found the cadence of the words to be bit a bit off at times which was distracting, but overall, I really enjoyed the story and think it will be a great addition to our kids' library.

* Thank you to NetGalley and Tommy Nelson Publishing for allowing me to read an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Jennifer Whalen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely adorable! A must for your family's bookshelf.

First of all- the illustrations are stunning. I'm always on the hunt for books with high quality illustrations because I have young readers who aren't reading words yet, they just look at pictures. I believe that the illustrations in children's books can be just as powerful and tell just as much of a story as the words. This book proved my theory correct, each book is vibrant and full, providing young readers with plenty to look at and discover.

I loved the message of finding the wonder in every day things. A concept that I think comes easily for young children and we as adults often forget. A great reminder for me as an adult as well, to take the time to slow down and enjoy the wonder in each day!

The World Needs the Wonder You See by Joanna Gaines is a fantastic children's book with a great message and high quality illustrations and would make a fantastic addition to any family's bookshelf.

Thank you to NetGalley, Tommy Nelson Publishers, and Joanna Gaines for the advanced copy, all opinions are my own.

[Shan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like how this book encourages kids to tune into their imaginations and be curious about the natural world around them. I also like how the author recognizes that it's important for kids to be this way, because it is actually important, especially now. However, while the title makes sense, I think it doesn't exactly appeal to young readers and it doesn't flawlessly relate to the story. It's good for the story to be written in second person, but having the title be the same way doesn't interest children as much as it could. Additionally, the story itself doesn't mention "the world", it primarily just shows kids interacting with other kids. This is good and relatable for a young audience, but it creates that disconnect between the book and its title. Lastly, I want to give credit to the illustrator. It's clear that the illustrator has the wonder that this book pushes, because there is an impressive amount of visual detail on every single page. These details will no doubt inspire readers to look for these hidden gems in the environment around them. Bravo for that!

[Tia's Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a free copy of The World Needs The Wonder You See, by Joanna Gaines, in exchange for an honest review.

As a mother with young children who love to explore outdoors, I think this book is a gem! It’s filled with birds, insects, flowers and plants, fish, plus more, that children who love the outdoors will recognize and name.

The illustrations are well done. All the children are actively exploring the world around them. Even the animals are active and fun to find on the pages. For example, a worm is sailing a boat across a mud puddle.

The text is an invitation to explore the world. To look for the little things in nature that most people don’t take the time to notice.

This also appears to be a good quality book. Though I’ve had it for less than a day, it feels like a book that, with normal careful use, will last for years.

I couldn’t find anything I didn’t like about this book, and my children love it. I think it would make a great addition to a home with young children or a library.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautifully written book about the wonders all around us that we often overlook, The Wonder You See offers a captivating view of the world around us. By slowing down and looking closely, Gaines reveals all of the enchanting secrets to discover. The book explores the theme of appreciation for the natural world, encouraging children to find joy in the small details of everyday life. It highlights the importance of being present and aware, as well as fostering a deeper connection with our surroundings. Through vivid descriptions and thoughtful reflections, Gaines invites readers to rediscover the magic in the ordinary.

"Celebrate the wonder of the world through a child’s eyes in this imaginative book about all the beauty, hope, and surprise hiding in plain sight. Look up. Lean in. Bend low. Reach for new heights. Every day, from every place, there’s more to see in this great big world of possibility."

[Marissa Wells (Marissa's Library) · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The World Needs The Wonder You See" by Joanna Gaines
Rating: 4 - 4 1/2 stars

This was an inspiring, non-woke children's read!
Mrs. Gaines did an excellent job depicting life through the innocency and eyes of a child.
Making discoveries, meeting new friends, helping others, and exploring new things and places.
This would be a perfect story to pique a child's interest in reading as well as introducing good morals and character traits.

-Negative Content (Very little)-
-In the corner of one page there was a tiny image of girl in a one-piece bathing suit.
-A few of the girls in the book wore shorts that were just a bit short.

I would definitely consider purchasing this for my future children, but maybe just fixing the pages to my taste that had a few small issues.

Many thanks to the Tommy Nelson Books for the complimentary e-book copy I received to review through Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review, and the thoughts above are my own.

[Julie Ditton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Joanna Gaines reminds us all to look at the world with the eyes of a child and see the wonder that is all around us. The gentle poetry tells us the amazing things that we can see if we observe the little things in life and just use our imagination. The beautiful illustrations by Julianna Swaney show a whimsical world with a parade of ants including a marching band, an underwater city in the sea, and cozy underground burrows with cute little animals. The art is captivating and will entertain youngsters of all ages. Parents will want to explore these pages with their children. The group of children in the pictures is inclusive with kids of all skin tones and one little girl in a wheel chair. This allows all the kids to picture themselves in that group of friends. I am sure that kids will be anxious to grab a magnifying glass or camera just like the kids in the pictures, go outside, and explore the world for themselves.

[Reading Adventures · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fabulous book showing our little ones, and us, what can happen when we take the time to slow down and look at the wonder that is all around us. We might be missing out on the wonders of the world, like nature, animals and even the simple moments we have together.I also loved the diversity in this book. It shows us that everyone, everywhere can take the time to enjoy the world. The story encourages everyone to connect to nature and to the animals in our world. These illustrations are simple with light colors but create such a bold message. I love how it tells us that when we take the time to have a closer look “we see the enchanted world deep inside”. This story invites children to use their imaginations as they enjoy the world. This has become a treasure in our home library. It would also be great to share in any early childhood classroom. The possibilities are endless. Enjoy this adventure with your little ones and join them as they chase the wonders of the world.

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Slow down and look all around at nature everywhere. Join the poetic look at everything adults miss with their busyness.
The illustrations by Julianna Swaney are delightfully detailed, realistically colorful, and FUN!
Well suited for reading WITH someone any age from 4 and up, including ESL, and great for gifting to everyone, but ESPECIALLY to a school or your local public library!
I requested and received a temporary uncorrected eGalley proof on Netgalley Reader from Tommy Nelson via NetGalley.
#TheWorldNeedstheWonderYouSee by Joanna Gaines with illustrator @ulianna_swaney @tommynelsonbooks #NetGalley @goodreads #@bookbub @librarythingofficial #barnesandnoble #waterstones ***** Review #booksamillion #bookshop_org #bookshop_org_uk #childrensbookcouncil #childrensbookillustration #childrensbook #picturebooks #kidlit #LittleDreamers #ChildrensBooksWeLove #TheWorldNeedsTheWonderYouSee #ParentChildBonding @thomasnelson

[Aishwarya · Rating 4 out of 5]

The World Needs the Wonder You See by Joanna Gaines is a picture book filled with lovely illustrations. It celebrates kids and their curiosity, how they view the world from a perspective so different from ours. In this book, children are shown engaging in various activities and sharing their unique point of view. Their perspective is beautifully captured; for instance, kids see a forest as a place full of wildlife and new plants, while adults may see it as just a collection of trees. As we grow up, we often forget to appreciate our surroundings and enjoy the little things in life. I am sure kids will love this book and its delightful illustrations.

Thank you, NetGalley, for providing me with the ARC of this book.
#TheWorldNeedstheWonderYouSee #NetGalley

[Claire (Caerleon) Winter · Rating 5 out of 5]

In our busy lives we barely have any time to slow down and take in the world around us. Our children are taught our go, go, go way of life as they watch and learn from us. This type of living can cause stress and anxiety for the whole family. This book has a beautiful way of showing how we can slow down, for just one part of our day and experience the wonder around us. We can look for the "special" in our everyday experiences. As an educator I loved the diversity in the illustrations and the encouraging way curiosity is sparked. We can all learn a lesson to unplug, spend some time with loved ones and spark some love, joy and curiosity living a simpler life once in a while. Thank you to NetGalley and Tommy Nelson for an e-arc for review.

[Bp · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has a good message for children and adults alike. Often as adults we are no longer curious as we once were. This book reminds the reader the value of paying attention to the world and nature around you. How much more will you see if you just take time to notice? Children are better at this than adults I think!

This is a beautifully illustrated book to read with your chid. It would be a good conversation starter for elementary aged children about what they noticed in their world. For younger children the illustrations will provide opportunities to talk and use new vocabulary words.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher and was under no obligation to provide a positive review.

[Donna Maguire · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought that this was a beautiful book about the wonders all around in nature that are often overlooked by many. Whilst we are lucky to live close to the countryside and we spend as much time out and about in nature as we can, we do know that we are privileged to have such wonders on our doorstep.

As a mum I loved the positive message that runs through the book about slowing down and taking in the world around you, whether that is looking at birds, plants, animals or fungi.

I thought that the illustrations in the book were perfect and they worked well to bring the book to life. They were lovely, bright and clear and everything worked well within the book - it is 5 stars from me for this one - very highly recommended!

[Lisa Roppel · Rating 5 out of 5]

The World Needs the Wonder You See is a beautifully illustrated provocation for young children. I feel it encourages students to get outside and discover the many wonders that are all around us. Children will be able to see themselves in the diverse characters in the illustrations. This picture book would be the perfect addition to any public, school or personal library to encourage the young readers to discover the wonder all around them.

Thank you Net Galley, Joanna Gaines and Tommy Nelson for the opportunity to preview this book and the opinions shared are my own,

The World Needs the Wonder You See will be available January 28, 2025.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is absolutely wonderful! The illustrations are so sweet, not overstimulating, and beautifully follow the story. It's about how children, who are great observers of our natural world, see the world in a much more beautiful way. They often slow down and appreciate all the little things around them as they wonder about the world. I think this book would make a wonderful addition to anyone's personal or classroom library. This is a book I will definitely pick up for our Nature Preschool, as well as for my personal collection for my children.

Thank you, NetGalley, Joanna Gaines, and Tommy Nelson, for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

[The Bookworm Girl Bethany · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you’re looking for a sweet book about imagination and curiosity for your little readers, I’d recommend The World Needs the Wonder You See. I enjoyed the book’s emphasis on the uniqueness of everyone’s imagination and how we all see the world differently. Also, this book is perfect if you want an eye-catching story for your kids to read. The illustrations were beautiful and imaginative, and easily drew me into the story. The drawings of the forest were my personal favorite.

Note: If you’re looking for a Christian children’s book, there are no biblical references or references to God/Christ, etc.

Happy reading,
Bethany the Bookworm Girl

[Theediscerning · Rating 3 out of 5]

A love letter to childish investigation and wonder, as several diverse children – one in a powered wheelchair – go out exploring the flower meadows, forests, underwater world, and heck even the rain-splashed puddles when it's wet out, just to see what they can find and learn from it. With enthusiasm to burn (and bloody good batteries in that wheelchair) they have an industrious spirit we in the real world could only aspire to, all without adult supervision. It's very well-intentioned, therefore, but does fall apart with any small level of cynicism, and the rhythm of the verse text is often quite erratic.

[Penny Reeve · Rating 4 out of 5]

The World Needs The Wonder You See is a picture book invitation to see the world through the lens of creativity, wonder and imagination. It’s a large format picture book with a paper-feel matt cover and indented title and is quite lovely.
Joanna Gaines writes a rhyming text that reads more as an affirmation or invitation than a classic beginning/middle/end type story. Julianna Swaney’s pictures are warm and inviting, depicting unique aspects of the various environments as well as introducing a playful imaginative tone. From tadpoles to candle toting moles, there is something to spot and find in each and every picture.