You Belong in the Wild

by Rae Wynn-Grant, Sawyer Cloud (Illustrator)

You’re ready for the wild.

In this heartfelt, stunning picture book, a young child with a love for science discovers that while they don’t see other people like them working in nature, they do belong there.

Despite loving all things nature, Noa struggles to find her place in the wild. She loves watching nature shows, playing pretend with her stuffed animals, and recounting wildlife facts to her mom. But from what she’s seen, the people who work in nature don’t look like her. So, Noa must not belong there.

To convince her otherwise, Noa’s mom takes her on a journey from the city to a state park, where Noa meets a new park ranger friend who shows her that nature is full of diversity, and she belongs just like anyone else.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens

32 pages, Hardcover

Published September 29, 2026

Reviews

[The Sassy Bookworm]

Book Review: You Belong in the Wild by Rae Wynn-Grant, illustrated by Sawyer Cloud

Rating: ★★★★☆

You Belong in the Wild by Rae Wynn-Grant, illustrated by Sawyer Cloud, is a warm and encouraging picture book about finding confidence in your interests and knowing there is a place for you in the world.

Noa is fascinated by nature. She watches wildlife programs, plays with her animal toys, and loves sharing everything she knows about creatures and the outdoors with her mom. However, she begins to doubt herself because the scientists, rangers, and other nature professionals she sees don’t seem to look like her. If she doesn’t see people like herself in those roles, maybe she isn’t meant to be there—at least, that’s what she starts to believe.

Her mom helps change that perspective by taking her from the city to a state park, where Noa meets a welcoming park ranger. Through this experience, she learns that the natural world is for everyone and that people from many different backgrounds can belong in it.

The cover immediately caught my attention—it’s bright, playful, and inviting. The colorful illustrations throughout the book add so much charm and energy to Noa’s journey, giving the story plenty of personality. I also appreciated the important message about representation. This book could be especially meaningful for children who don’t often see people like themselves in the careers or communities they admire. It encourages young readers to keep pursuing their passions, even when their role models aren’t always easy to find.

A sweet, visually appealing, and uplifting story with a message kids will remember.

⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️

[Christy Matheson]

This was a vivid book that brought together so many ideas for children in a charming package. We loved the illustrations and the personality that leapt out on every page.

I read this with my 6-year-old son. We are part of a mixed-race family, and my son was young enough that he didn't immediately catch on to the idea that Noa felt like she "didn't belong" because she didn't see examples of people who looked like her (since my son does have role models who look like Noa!). We also live in a more rural area where the sort of outdoor experience that Noa's mother had to go out and capture is part of our everyday life. All of these were excellent, natural discussion points that didn't feel like "teaching" but gave a perspective on a different way of living.

The emotions and scenery on every page drew in my son, and he found them both relatable and intriguing. He got excited about the different projects of the Black women scientists that someone eventually shared with Noa — and I appreciated that, unlike Noa, he is growing used to seeing Black women connected with scientific progress. These led to several excited conversations about bravery, going new places, and becoming a scientist.

There are so many books out there that promise to teach something or show children a lesson that they "need." This was the rare gem of a book that incorporated those concepts in a way that was story-first, visually immersive, and engaged the child's emotions and curiosity.

I highly recommend this book for any elementary class library, and for parents who want to provide naturally diverse examples of kids and adults scientists doing great work.

(Context: I have a masters in early childhood education, years of wide-ranging teaching experience, and am the mother of five. I review all kid-lit with the reactions of real kids.)

[Panda Incognito]

This uplifting picture book is about a Black girl who loves nature. She likes to watch science TV shows and share nature facts with her friends, but she isn't sure that she fits in, since her skin color is different than the people she sees on these TV shows. Her mom takes her on a trip to a state park, where they meet up with a Black, female park ranger her mom knows. This connection helps the main character see that she does belong in the wild, and that what really matters is her knowledge and passion, not what she looks like.

This well-written story will encourage kids in similar circumstances, inspiring them to follow their passions regardless whether or not they see many people who look like them working in that field of interest. Also, kids of any race who love the outdoors can appreciate this story, relating to the main character's interest in science and excitement over the trip to the state park.

I read an advance copy of this book, and none of the illustrations appeared in that ebook. However, I expect they will be great, since the front cover is so delightful.

I received a temporary digital copy through NetGalley, and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

[Joey-Susan]

Thank you so much to Zando/ Get Lifted Books and Netgalley for the ebook to read and review.

Noa loves all things nature, she imaginary plays that’s she’s in the wild with all the animals and trees. She knows so many wonderful facts, but none of her friends like her facts. No scientist look like her so she believes she cannot belong in the wild.

I adored this it was stunning and so beautiful. Noa was literally so adorable, she was constantly in awe of what she was seeing, the wonders of the world, animals and nature. But she didn’t believe she was allowed to belong to the wild because of how she looked. I loved that her mom loved and supported her dreams she wanted to encourage her to be more and so took her to meet her friend, showing her everything she could be and helping her to understand she really did belong within the wild.

The illustration were so beautiful and added so much to the story seeing little Noa surrounding herself with everything that she loved, her meeting the ranger and opening her eyes to possibilities and a world she never knew about. Such a stunning read, full of love, inspiration and kindness. I highly recommend this book readers will learn a lot of wonderful facts, it’s encouraging to go after your dreams and that nothing is out of reach if you dream it.

[Melanie Dulaney]

Beautifully illustrated picture book about young Noa, who loves everything about nature, learns all she can about animal behavior and various ecosystems but doesn’t feel like she will ever really fit IN THE WILD. After her mother takes her to a nature park near her New York home, she meets a Black park ranger who is equally passionate about the outdoor world and hears of 3 other Black scientists who work with animal populations all over the world. Inspired that it is all about the passion and desire and not what she looks like, Noa determines that she does belong in the wild.

Perfect for readers and listeners in preschool through grade 3. Plenty of animal facts for the older end of that range while being clearly illustration-driven and light on the text quantity and just right for the younger end of the range, too.

Thanks for the print arc, Zando Get Lifted Books.

[Ryan]

A little girl who loves facts about nature and wildlife has never been there. She lives in New York City, a jungle made of concrete. After a short train ride, her and her mother end up in a beautiful park and her mother keeps telling her she belongs to nature, but the little girl keeps saying, but nobody looks like me. That is until she meets another dark skinned ranger. And they have a discussion of some of the scientists that have been people of color and contributed to the science of nature. This was a fine book. It’s got a nice message. But it was a tad bit long.

[Theresa]

You Belong in the Wild
by Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant
This is a short multicultural book about nature. An intelligent child sometimes has problems relating to her peers. This book shows that their interests are not in vain and that their specific knowledge can enhance everything every where they good. It is particularly multicultural because of breaking cultural norms, and bringing interest in nature to social groups that may not have access.

[Nicole]

Thank you so much to Netgalley for our arc copy.

We love anything nature based so automatically this book was a hit. It talks a lot of about self-confidence and just doing what you love. We thought the illustrations were beautiful as well. After reading that book last night we spent the entire day in the garden planting and looking at bugs with dips in the paddling pool. This will definitely be a book we will be picking up again and again.

[Sheandherkindle]

Such a beautiful story, a girl who finally understands herself better . You're different doesn't mean you're not capable to do something that has been rarely done . The illustrations are amazing. Perfect book to instill self confidence in kids .

[Amanda]

Such a beautiful story in every way. The message, the illustrations, and the kind author.

[Megan]

This is an amazing book! It teaches kids they can belong wherever they are. I won this book through a Goodreads Giveaway. I enjoyed this book. The plot was interesting and left me enthralled.

[Kathy]

I LOVED everything about this book! The inspirational message is a bonus! The illustrations make this one my grands enjoyed.

[Trisha]

A tender and empowering picture book that celebrates children’s connection to nature while emphasizing inclusivity. Told through the perspective of a young Black girl, it captures both her love for the outdoors and the challenge of not often seeing people who look like her in wildlife spaces. The expressive text and warm illustrations remind readers that the wild belongs to everyone, and that representation matters in every corner of life, even among forests, rivers, and skies.

Heartfelt, inclusive, and inspiring, this story is a gentle invitation for all children to see themselves reflected in nature’s embrace.

Thanks to Zando, Get Lifted Books, and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

4/5⭐️.

[Rachel Chapman]

As the parent of a Black girl, I loved this book about being a Black female naturalist/park ranger/brainy. I only wish there was more explicit language about what seeing “someone like me” meant… but maybe that’s the point? Can’t wait to see more from this author and publisher. ♥️

Reviewed from pre-published galley directly from the publisher.