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Cómo ser un explorador del mundo: Museo de vida portátil
En todo momento, sin importar en dónde estés, hay cientos de cosas interesantes a tu alrededor que merecen documentarse.
¡Atención! A la persona que tiene este libro en sus manos: si crees que eres incapaz de usar tu imaginación, devuélvelo de inmediato al lugar donde lo tomaste. Este libro no es para ti pues te obligará a dejar a un lado tu incredulidad, a hacer tareas que te harán sentir algo raro, a ver el mundo de formas que te inciten a pensar diferente, conducir experimentos de manera regular y considerar vivos los objetos inanimados.
204 pages, Paperback
First published October 7, 2008
260 people are currently reading
16418 people want to read
About the author
Keri Smith
62 books1,847 followersKeri Smith is an author/illustrator turned guerilla artist. She has several bestselling books, including Wreck This Journal, This is Not a Book, How To Be An Explorer of the World, Mess, Finish this Book, and The Wander Society all published by Penguin Books. Read more at her website http://WWW.KERISMITH.COM
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 317 reviews
August 26, 2021
A solid 4.5 stars!
OBSERVE
COLLECT
ANALYZE
COMPARE
NOTICE
PATTERNS
This took me a long time to read as it involved a lot of field work and exploration. This book was really worthwhile and productive. It makes sure you exercise all five of your senses and it makes you explore even the deepest parts of your thoughts!
Now I couldn’t do a lot of exploring outside because of the pandemic but I sure did investigate the four corners of my house thoroughly and I became aware of a certain number of things that were never there or things which I had never noticed before! This may seem like a waste of time but trust me, It’s not! It has a lot of proposals on how you can be a good explorer and seek interest in things that may seem boring to others. This helped me look at things at different angles! Carrying out these explorations was also really self therapeutic.
Okay so don’t tell this to anyone 🤫 but there was this exploration where you needed to go to a public place and overhear conversations and document them! I did that and I heard some really unusual and riveting things! I just loved the whole experience and exposure to things I’m not used to doing! I mean come on! Everyone needs some change in their lives!
“If you find yourself being questioned as to the reasons for your activities, the phrase “I’m conducting research.” Usually satisfies even the nosiest interloper.”
"It is a known condition that when you begin to pay attention to something you’ve never really looked at before you will begin to see it everywhere. You eventually begin to feel as if the thing is out to find you, instead of the other way around."
Definitely recommend this!
OBSERVE
COLLECT
ANALYZE
COMPARE
NOTICE
PATTERNS
This took me a long time to read as it involved a lot of field work and exploration. This book was really worthwhile and productive. It makes sure you exercise all five of your senses and it makes you explore even the deepest parts of your thoughts!
Now I couldn’t do a lot of exploring outside because of the pandemic but I sure did investigate the four corners of my house thoroughly and I became aware of a certain number of things that were never there or things which I had never noticed before! This may seem like a waste of time but trust me, It’s not! It has a lot of proposals on how you can be a good explorer and seek interest in things that may seem boring to others. This helped me look at things at different angles! Carrying out these explorations was also really self therapeutic.
Okay so don’t tell this to anyone 🤫 but there was this exploration where you needed to go to a public place and overhear conversations and document them! I did that and I heard some really unusual and riveting things! I just loved the whole experience and exposure to things I’m not used to doing! I mean come on! Everyone needs some change in their lives!
“If you find yourself being questioned as to the reasons for your activities, the phrase “I’m conducting research.” Usually satisfies even the nosiest interloper.”
"It is a known condition that when you begin to pay attention to something you’ve never really looked at before you will begin to see it everywhere. You eventually begin to feel as if the thing is out to find you, instead of the other way around."
Definitely recommend this!
March 28, 2020
"Always be looking.
Everything is interesting.
Notice the stories going on around you."
Unique book, I might try some of the experimentations!
Everything is interesting.
Notice the stories going on around you."
Unique book, I might try some of the experimentations!
December 13, 2012
Ever since I was little I always loved those books that you could write in; the ones that have some story, or quotes, or something inspirational, but also an interactive component.
When I got this book, I wasn't completely sure what to expect; all I knew was I loved the title, the idea, and the glimpses of pages I caught. Now that I've read through it, I absolutely love it. It blends together the ideas of science and art and inspires you to not do anything outrageous, but instead be an explorer in an every day way. Listen a little more carefully, look a little more closely, and recognizes the patterns, colors, and themes that surround us everyday that we pay no attention to.
Some of the ideas in this book are absolutely fantastic (there is one about finding the colors of your world that I'm definitely going to do) and the quotes are well chosen.
Most of all, I LOVE the graphics and how this book is organized. People underestimate how much the stylization of a book matters, but especially in a book like this, it is so important. The font is perfect. The art chosen for each page is fantastic (that is one of the things that initially attracted me to this book). And the way it is all arranged together just exemplifies how there is an art to creating a book that is not only in the words and ideas, but also in its expression as a piece of art.
When I got this book, I wasn't completely sure what to expect; all I knew was I loved the title, the idea, and the glimpses of pages I caught. Now that I've read through it, I absolutely love it. It blends together the ideas of science and art and inspires you to not do anything outrageous, but instead be an explorer in an every day way. Listen a little more carefully, look a little more closely, and recognizes the patterns, colors, and themes that surround us everyday that we pay no attention to.
Some of the ideas in this book are absolutely fantastic (there is one about finding the colors of your world that I'm definitely going to do) and the quotes are well chosen.
Most of all, I LOVE the graphics and how this book is organized. People underestimate how much the stylization of a book matters, but especially in a book like this, it is so important. The font is perfect. The art chosen for each page is fantastic (that is one of the things that initially attracted me to this book). And the way it is all arranged together just exemplifies how there is an art to creating a book that is not only in the words and ideas, but also in its expression as a piece of art.
May 19, 2017
"E se ci fossero nel giornale tutti i segreti dell'universo scritti in codice?"
Videorecensione: https://youtu.be/XXVgF2Sprgw
Un libro STUPENDO che ha come scopo l'educazione allo sguardo e l'esercizio di tutti i nostri sensi e capacità di interazione.
Utile per chi non si sorprende mai di niente e per chi crede che per fare esperienze sconvolgenti si debba andare lontani.
A volte, si può tranquillamente fare un viaggio bellissimo rimanendo in casa propria.
Videorecensione: https://youtu.be/XXVgF2Sprgw
Un libro STUPENDO che ha come scopo l'educazione allo sguardo e l'esercizio di tutti i nostri sensi e capacità di interazione.
Utile per chi non si sorprende mai di niente e per chi crede che per fare esperienze sconvolgenti si debba andare lontani.
A volte, si può tranquillamente fare un viaggio bellissimo rimanendo in casa propria.
October 7, 2013
I just loved this book. So inspirational and lovely and a wonderful gift for anyone searching for themselves, or in need of fresh eyes and how to get there.
October 5, 2014
This book. Oh, boy. This book. I could go on for days. How to Be an Explorer of the World by Keri Smith is about seeing the world; it is about listening and observing and collecting and searching for the stories of all the small/lost/broken/misplaced/misunderstood pieces of the world. It can be read on many different levels- cute activity book versus intense philisophical experience- all of which are delightful. The layout of each page, and the text, and the EVERYTHING-
Everyone should read this book. The end.
Everyone should read this book. The end.
June 20, 2019
Intellectually stimulating.
Both creative and challenging.
It’s all about how it works for you and this was just right for me and my son.
Both creative and challenging.
It’s all about how it works for you and this was just right for me and my son.
April 29, 2019
Hm. About 1/3 through. I can see the value for people who have been in the habit of choosing other priorities & distractions. But I've always been observant/ aware/ mindful/ present/ curious. For me, the challenge is to appreciate and 'use' all that I've noticed and thought about. Well, and if I'm really lucky, Smith will help me not get disturbed by oblivious ppl who litter, waste, interrupt, etc.
/..........
ok done
For the right Explorer, this could be wonderful. The front end is preloaded with too much instruction so when I wrote the above I didn't realize that I'd actually get to 59 (!) full spread, diverse, intriguing Explorations. If I totally wanted to 'do' this book, I'd probably break it up into 59 packets....
Several things I did like, might possibly use some day:
From the beginning, a list of themes/ categories to use (or be inspired by) to give a focal point to several of the Explorations:
Office Supplies .. Signatures .. Leaves .. Junk Mail .. Long Skinny Things .. Overheard Conversations .. Things that Melt .. Knots .. Arrows .. Grids .. Things that Look Like other Things .. Found Faces .. Textures .. Apologies .. Pencil Rubbings .. Fabric .. Lists .. Things on the Sidewalk ....
"Exploration #27 Accidental Art." This is where I could look at litter & messes with a fresh eye, considering their shapes, composition, etc. as if I was going to take photos. Btw, I do already tell myself a little story about rude people, the kind of bad day they're having and what they'd do instead if they were having a good day.
There's an Anecdote at Exploration #40 about a teacher in Keri's art school who looked at everything upside-down.. even sculpture by getting himself upside down, to change his pov.
#44 includes the suggestion to create poems using book titles (see Nina Katchadourian.
"#55 Ways to Transform an Everyday Experience: Pretend you are someone else. 'What would __ do?' Wear a costume or disguise. Alter your habitual routine. Take a different route. ...."
I do wish that this was the Keri Smith book I owned, and that 'not a book' was a library book, because this one I could spend time with. I dunno. Maybe if I ever get to a point in my life where I'm actually bored (instead of just trying to always broaden my horizons) I could buy this. Or if my eyes get so bad I can't read as much, I could do some of these exercises.
What's your favorite source of artistic or metaphysical prompts or explorations?
/..........
ok done
For the right Explorer, this could be wonderful. The front end is preloaded with too much instruction so when I wrote the above I didn't realize that I'd actually get to 59 (!) full spread, diverse, intriguing Explorations. If I totally wanted to 'do' this book, I'd probably break it up into 59 packets....
Several things I did like, might possibly use some day:
From the beginning, a list of themes/ categories to use (or be inspired by) to give a focal point to several of the Explorations:
Office Supplies .. Signatures .. Leaves .. Junk Mail .. Long Skinny Things .. Overheard Conversations .. Things that Melt .. Knots .. Arrows .. Grids .. Things that Look Like other Things .. Found Faces .. Textures .. Apologies .. Pencil Rubbings .. Fabric .. Lists .. Things on the Sidewalk ....
"Exploration #27 Accidental Art." This is where I could look at litter & messes with a fresh eye, considering their shapes, composition, etc. as if I was going to take photos. Btw, I do already tell myself a little story about rude people, the kind of bad day they're having and what they'd do instead if they were having a good day.
There's an Anecdote at Exploration #40 about a teacher in Keri's art school who looked at everything upside-down.. even sculpture by getting himself upside down, to change his pov.
#44 includes the suggestion to create poems using book titles (see Nina Katchadourian.
"#55 Ways to Transform an Everyday Experience: Pretend you are someone else. 'What would __ do?' Wear a costume or disguise. Alter your habitual routine. Take a different route. ...."
I do wish that this was the Keri Smith book I owned, and that 'not a book' was a library book, because this one I could spend time with. I dunno. Maybe if I ever get to a point in my life where I'm actually bored (instead of just trying to always broaden my horizons) I could buy this. Or if my eyes get so bad I can't read as much, I could do some of these exercises.
What's your favorite source of artistic or metaphysical prompts or explorations?
July 27, 2018
I have been reading this book, "How to Be an Explorer of the World: PORTABLE LIFE MUSEUM" by Keri Smith the last couple of weeks. This is a wonderful book for people of all ages who are curious about everything in this world. I have been naturally curious all my life; especially being a Gemini, I'll read about everything and try something at least once.
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In this colorful, fun, and engaging book, the author encourages and teaches us how to look at the world with new eyes and to be more conscious of our surroundings through various activities & exercises -- you'll be creating, documenting, and collecting, thus creating your own "museum." I love being outdoors and looking at random things, so I'm excited to see how my "museum" comes alive as I collect artifacts throughout the year.
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synopsis: From the internationally bestselling creator of Wreck This Journal, an interactive guide for exploring and documenting the art and science of everyday life.
Artists and scientists analyze the world around them in surprisingly similar ways, by observing, collecting, documenting, analyzing, and comparing. In this captivating guided journal, readers are encouraged to explore their world as both artists and scientists.
The mission Smith proposes? To document and observe the world around you as if you’ve never seen it before. Take notes. Collect things you find on your travels. Document findings. Notice patterns. Copy. Trace. Focus on one thing at a time. Record what you are drawn to.
Through this series of beautifully hand-illustrated interactive prompts, readers will enjoy exploring and discovering the world in ways they never even imagined.
.
In this colorful, fun, and engaging book, the author encourages and teaches us how to look at the world with new eyes and to be more conscious of our surroundings through various activities & exercises -- you'll be creating, documenting, and collecting, thus creating your own "museum." I love being outdoors and looking at random things, so I'm excited to see how my "museum" comes alive as I collect artifacts throughout the year.
.
.
.
.
synopsis: From the internationally bestselling creator of Wreck This Journal, an interactive guide for exploring and documenting the art and science of everyday life.
Artists and scientists analyze the world around them in surprisingly similar ways, by observing, collecting, documenting, analyzing, and comparing. In this captivating guided journal, readers are encouraged to explore their world as both artists and scientists.
The mission Smith proposes? To document and observe the world around you as if you’ve never seen it before. Take notes. Collect things you find on your travels. Document findings. Notice patterns. Copy. Trace. Focus on one thing at a time. Record what you are drawn to.
Through this series of beautifully hand-illustrated interactive prompts, readers will enjoy exploring and discovering the world in ways they never even imagined.
July 28, 2025
Love this book!
May 15, 2014
A kind of quirky and philosophical book for kids and parents about seeing the world differently, with several "explorations" to keep people busy for a summer, and more. Has places in the book for research notes, data collection, setting up a place for a museum (or way to demonstrate your findings). It's not about the usual kinds of collections, such as bugs or leaves, but collecting objects on the way to school, or a sound map, or faces you see in common every day objects. Of course, it's kinda about ways of seeing. Lynda Barry has one of these how-to art books for visual and rotten storytelling, to help readers become artists and writers of their own worlds. This is like that, but takes a kind of kid research angle to it… Cool. We will do this.
August 29, 2025
Keri Smith’s How to Be an Explorer of the World is not a typical book you just read—it’s an interactive invitation to see everyday life with fresh eyes. The book blends prompts, sketches, and creative exercises that encourage readers to collect, observe, and document the small details around them, turning ordinary experiences into an adventure.
What I loved most is how it inspires curiosity and mindfulness. Smith makes you realize that exploration doesn’t require travel to distant lands; it can happen on your own street, in your kitchen, or during a simple walk. Her whimsical illustrations and playful tone make the process fun, while the prompts spark creativity in unexpected ways.
That said, this book is more of a hands-on journal than a traditional read. If you’re looking for deep narrative or theory, you may find it light. But if you embrace it as a tool, it can change the way you engage with the world.
What I loved most is how it inspires curiosity and mindfulness. Smith makes you realize that exploration doesn’t require travel to distant lands; it can happen on your own street, in your kitchen, or during a simple walk. Her whimsical illustrations and playful tone make the process fun, while the prompts spark creativity in unexpected ways.
That said, this book is more of a hands-on journal than a traditional read. If you’re looking for deep narrative or theory, you may find it light. But if you embrace it as a tool, it can change the way you engage with the world.
September 2, 2017
I found this in a second hand bookshop in Japan today and bought it on a whim. It's a fun, easy-to-read guidebook to creative thinking (took me less than two leisurely hours in a coffee shop to get through) that's perfect for the wannabe artist who needs somewhere to begin. That somewhere is here, beginning with thinking about your immediate vicinity and categorising everything great and small (but mostly small) around you. Good stuff, and pre-dates Austin Cleon's similar (but for my money, better) Steal Like an Artist by a couple of years.
Download my starter library for free here - http://eepurl.com/bFkt0X - and receive my monthly newsletter with book recommendations galore for the Japanophile/crime fiction/English teacher in all of us.
Download my starter library for free here - http://eepurl.com/bFkt0X - and receive my monthly newsletter with book recommendations galore for the Japanophile/crime fiction/English teacher in all of us.
December 4, 2023
When I was a sad tween scribbling alone in notebooks I found this book and it changed my life and introduced me to Anaïs Nin and Jorge Luis Borges among others and now I’m working on a creative dissertation! Sometimes I think I have taken the whimsy too far but other times I think without my whimsy I’d have given up long ago.
February 26, 2013
"Often we forget about the physicality of observing, literally changing our viewpoint or perspective."
"We have become glued to our computer and television screens that we forget to explore the natural world, the original instructor on how to be curious about detail." (Jennifer New)
This book opens its readers to a whole new world stripped of its familiarity. From accidental art to things we've never seen before, from what we choose to keep and what we throw away, it makes us explore the world like we've seen it before.
"To question that which seems to have ceased forever to astonish us."
How to be an Explorer of the World is a quick-read interactive book that engages its readers to the outside world and makes them appreciate it even more. Cut and tear pages of the book, write down field notes, paint it, smudge it, glue things on it --- everything will end up being "personal" and unique. The text is handwritten and the illustrations are wacky and strikingly unconventional which makes the reading experience a little bit more enjoyable.
Read it if you need a nudge to see the world in another angle. “Creativity arises from our ability to see things from many different angles.” Anything can be a starting point. Stop reading this. Shut down that computer screen. Explore the world!
November 30, 2010
This is one of those books that is great for creative people or people who want to develop creative habits/perspectives. It is a collection of exercises gathered mostly from external (well-cited) sources that will give you a method of moving through your life like an explorer. By following all the exercises in here, you could create a portable museum of your life, certainly, and there is advice on how to even have showings or exhibitions of your museum. I can see this ultimately being more useful as a strategy guide. I thought that the bibliography was one of the most useful parts of the book. Keri Smith draws inspiration from considerably variable and interesting places, and it was nice to see what she had wandered through to bring together this portable museum exercise.
August 27, 2018
The title was perhaps the best part of the book - the rest was underwhelming. The graphics were unattractive, the `explorations' tended to be repetitive & uninspired, & the overall the book was boring. Perhaps it was just not written for me - some seemed aimed at very young children & other parts seemed to be for older children who didn't go outside much, but I didn't find it in the children's section of the library, nor in the humor section so I don't think she was just being ironic with her exploration choices
May 3, 2009
An art teacher friend loaned this to me--I need to get my own copy! This "activity" book is about observing, documenting, collecting... noticing and being amazed at the little things... how to look at the banal around you and see it as if you were a tourist, new to your own world (in a fun, adventurous way). This book is fascinating as an adult, and would also be interesting to do with wee people.
June 4, 2014
Although I like Keri Smith, this book left me underwhelmed. A lot of repetition and not very inspiring. If you are a mindful person, none of this will be new to you. This is definitely a book that you borrow from the library, not purchase.
April 1, 2016
A lovely book that urges you to open your eyes and see and take note of your environment. With lots of suggestions on how to train your eyes, by collecting and charting colors, accidental art, etc. I'll definitely give some of them a try.
December 31, 2018
Este libro podría haber Sido muy divertido....de no ser porque es un préstamo de labios miniteca pública.
Vienen la idea, mal en la ejecución. Muy recomendable si quieres hacer actividades con niños...o darle un giro a tu rutina.
Vienen la idea, mal en la ejecución. Muy recomendable si quieres hacer actividades con niños...o darle un giro a tu rutina.
August 1, 2022
read this standing in line at goodwill yesterday and obviously bought it because it is my precise life philosophy (everything IS interesting, if you let it be). looking forward to going back and doing the exercises.
November 8, 2010
No thanks. Though perfect for that artistic 16 year old who "nobody gets"
February 17, 2022
Would make a wonderful art class companion. Especially if you have to keep/fill a journal
November 30, 2023
Fun little book with some thoughtful, creative ideas of interacting with the world
December 22, 2023
Excelenteeee
January 5, 2025
❤️thank you chi town lil library
March 6, 2012
A few friends were given this journal of sorts in a Foundations Art program at Alfred University. I decided to pick it up to see what might be inside.
I feel this text is for the stunted artist, perhaps one that needs faith in self to become an artist or the wayward youth unfocused. Perhaps it is right to give this text to those beginning their academic adventure into the art world, but I feel that having made the great leap to decide on going to college for art, the text may seem trivial, mundane, cliche- wait I mean kitsch (as far as art terms go). These are the same sorts of ideas one might find in an inspirational calendar."Everyone is an artist." exclaims Joseph Bueys on the back cover. Well if this is true, why read the book, why go to school..... I think a text by/about Bueys might be more appropriate.
Anyways I have digressed as far as any reader here.This book is for the truly lost artistic soul, those too fearful to have taken leaps and must have a manual to live again as someone interested in the world. It is well packaged and very pleasing- perhaps so much that the intrepid explorer might not fancy to write in it- which is the whole point of the excercises proposed in thsi book...
Still I have to say I picked this up when I lost my way in creating and it did push me to create again... So bravo- from this dual-natured reader/artist.
I feel this text is for the stunted artist, perhaps one that needs faith in self to become an artist or the wayward youth unfocused. Perhaps it is right to give this text to those beginning their academic adventure into the art world, but I feel that having made the great leap to decide on going to college for art, the text may seem trivial, mundane, cliche- wait I mean kitsch (as far as art terms go). These are the same sorts of ideas one might find in an inspirational calendar."Everyone is an artist." exclaims Joseph Bueys on the back cover. Well if this is true, why read the book, why go to school..... I think a text by/about Bueys might be more appropriate.
Anyways I have digressed as far as any reader here.This book is for the truly lost artistic soul, those too fearful to have taken leaps and must have a manual to live again as someone interested in the world. It is well packaged and very pleasing- perhaps so much that the intrepid explorer might not fancy to write in it- which is the whole point of the excercises proposed in thsi book...
Still I have to say I picked this up when I lost my way in creating and it did push me to create again... So bravo- from this dual-natured reader/artist.
May 4, 2014
"All books continue in the beyond" -Italo Calvino
Las ilustraciones, fotografías, el diseño y la tipografía son tan hermosas que quisiera comérmelas.
Keri Smith siempre diciéndonos que olvidemos los estereotipos, que dejemos volar nuestra imaginación, que seamos un desastre y seamos creativos sin que nadie nos detenga.
Cada misión es creativa, cada detalle del libro y las frases de otros artistas son tan dulces.
Cada que veo la portada y las fotos de este libro me dan ganas de salir a algún lado por una aventura y perderme en algún lugar para encontrar los detalles más simples y hermosos de este mundo, guardarlos en mi bolsillo y ponerlos en frascos colgando de árboles con luces para mostrarle a las personas lo maravilloso que es este mundo y lo impresionante que son las pequeñas cosas a las que nunca les prestamos atención.
Definitivamente amé este libro y quiero ser una exploradora del mundo.
Las ilustraciones, fotografías, el diseño y la tipografía son tan hermosas que quisiera comérmelas.
Keri Smith siempre diciéndonos que olvidemos los estereotipos, que dejemos volar nuestra imaginación, que seamos un desastre y seamos creativos sin que nadie nos detenga.
Cada misión es creativa, cada detalle del libro y las frases de otros artistas son tan dulces.
Cada que veo la portada y las fotos de este libro me dan ganas de salir a algún lado por una aventura y perderme en algún lugar para encontrar los detalles más simples y hermosos de este mundo, guardarlos en mi bolsillo y ponerlos en frascos colgando de árboles con luces para mostrarle a las personas lo maravilloso que es este mundo y lo impresionante que son las pequeñas cosas a las que nunca les prestamos atención.
Definitivamente amé este libro y quiero ser una exploradora del mundo.
January 30, 2012
5 stars for Keri Smith's, "How to be an Explorer of the World," because the title stays true to its content. Appropriate for all ages, Smith suggests a variety of activities and observations one can perform to awaken their senses and imagination. If you're looking to find (more) curiosity and creativity within yourself, I wouldn't pass this up as it will surely lead you there. All of the suggestions in this book, although eccentric at times, are possible regardless of your budget or location.
To some extent, I feel this book is better suited for those looking to spark (or respark) their artistic qualities. However, if taken with a ready mind, I think everyone can benefit from this book, or better yet, the projects within it.
To some extent, I feel this book is better suited for those looking to spark (or respark) their artistic qualities. However, if taken with a ready mind, I think everyone can benefit from this book, or better yet, the projects within it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 317 reviews