Maker Comics: Survive in the Outdoors!

Maker Comics

by Mike Lawrence

In this volume of Maker Comics, First Second's DIY graphic novel series, you'll find step-by-step instructions for seven projects that will help you survive in the wild!

Sophia and Alonso have been packed off to their grandpa’s for a fishing trip, and they’re dreading spending a whole day in the woods without any cell service. But Grandpa opens their eyes to the wonders of the outdoors, and its dangers―from tick bites to hypothermia. And when a sprained ankle delays their return to civilization, the kids have to learn not only how to perform forest-friendly first aid, but how to safely spend the night in the woods when you don’t have a tent!

Prepare yourself before you set off on your next adventure! Whether you’re hiking in the wilderness or camping in your own backyard, Survive in the Outdoors! will equip you with the know-how you need. In this book, you'll find step-by-step instructions on how to build a campfire, catch and clean a fish, make a shelter, and more!

Genres: Graphic Novels, Nonfiction, Nature, Childrens, Comics, Survival, Environment

128 pages, Paperback

Published June 29, 2021

About the author

Mike always wanted to be a superhero and an artist when he grew up. While he never developed super powers, he did become an artist after being exposed to gamma radiation at the University of Oregon.

Reviews

[Stacy Renee (LazyDayLit) · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic graphic novel that includes lots of great outdoor survival projects and shows you exactly how to do them!

This review was originally shared on Lazy Day Literature.

This is a fantastic graphic novel that is both a sequential story and a how-to guide to being in the outdoors!

Sophia and Alonso are whisked off to their grandfather's for a fishing trip they'd rather not be on, but their abuelito makes it a fun and educational trip by giving them a fun little DIY to do beforehand and preparing them for what may come. Along the way, a few things happen that could have potentially been dangerous or life-threatening, but Sophia and Alonso have a wonderful living guide to the outdoors that helps them through each step of the way, including an impromptu overnight stay in the wilderness!

If you like a mixture of story and useful information, or just enjoy survival stories and how-to's, this is the graphic novel for you!

Survive in the Outdoors! includes step-by-step instructions for several outdoor activities that could help you learn to stay alive in desperate wilderness situations. Learn how to build a campfire, catch and clean fish, build a shelter, and more!

[Emily Carlyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I highly recommend this! What a great way to read and learn. This book included lessons along the way to learn how to pack for fishing, how to use a fishing pole, catch a fish, build a proper campfire, wrap a sprained ankle, and more. A great way to thread lessons into a story line.

[Becky B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two kids are spending the weekend with their grandpa who decides to take them to a remote fishing spot. He teaches them how to pack for a trip to a wilderness area, how to fish, how to make a fire and prepare fish for eating, basic knife and fire safety, how to prepare clean drinking water, how to poop in the woods, how to do emergency first aid when one of them slips and twists an ankle, and then how to build a shelter that is warm and water proof when the ankle prevents them from getting back to the car before dark.

This guide is focused on a wet and cool climate. It talks about hypothermia but not heat stroke, talks about tips to stay warm and dry, but not how to stay cool and preserve water. What it does cover, though, it does well. It does a great, detailed job teaching how to build a fire safely and a waterproof shelter. It also did a very thorough job showing how to set up a fishing line and fish. I am not someone who fishes, but I feel like I could at least give it a good attempt with these instructions. I really applaud Mike Lawrence for thinking of a way to talk about and show how to go bathroom in the woods safely that wasn’t awkward. (Grandpa demonstrates poop poses fully clothed for his worried grandson.) As someone who is first aid certified and the go-to first aid person on many school trips when the school nurse isn’t available, I thought the guide for taping a sprained ankle was a bit overkill. I tape ankles on a regular basis, and though what they showed may be “textbook” in real life you probably don’t need or want that much tape. (You can do more damage taking off that much tape if you don’t use pre-wrap, and if their foot swells more it may become more painful and even dangerous over several hours cutting off blood supply. But I’m sure to be safe they have to show the overkill method so there’s no possibility of being accused of showing a bad method.) Also, the kids should have put Grandpa's ankle in the stream for a bit to reduce swelling. They may not have had ice, but most streams are cold enough to mitigate the swelling. Overall, though, this was well done and is a very entertaining way to learn some important outdoor survival and camping skills.

Notes on content [based on ARC]: No language issues or sexual content. The preparing of a fish is shown without being gory.

I received an ARC of this title from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Julie Suzanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

For those of us who didn't have amazing grandparents, parents, aunts, uncles, or other role models who taught us how to fish, camp, hike (safely), etc., borrow this kind, patient, knowledgeable abuelito who will take on the job. I LOVE this book. Simple, crisp, clear illustrations and tidy lists of items needed and steps needed for each task inform readers exactly how to prepare for a day in the woods (the ultimate preparedness crash course) fish (lawfully and respectfully), kill and gut the fish, build a fire, assess a foot injury for sprain vs. break, tend to a wound and sprain, build a shelter, and even how to poop in the woods (there was a LOT of instruction on that!) There is a bonus chapter on avoiding hypothermia and dressing properly. I just love it. The patient grandfather explained everything in a way that makes things seem perfectly easy and clear, and because I don't have an outdoorsy family and never was able to be a girl scout, I'm thankful for it! I wish everyone explained how to do everything in just this way.

LOVE, love, love it!

[Jared White · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow, what a fun way to teach some valuable outdoor and survival skills. I think the fact that this conveys "projects" (survival skills) in such a real, feasible scenario (grandpa gets hurt while hiking and the kids have to help him and each other) will convey the importance of the skills and also may help them stick better than it this was purely an informational book.

I think I'm actually going to buy a copy of this to keep in my hiking bag. I know there are many other info-packed survival books out there but I really like how this one presents the information (the illustrations and directions are very clear).

I also like that the characters are Hispanic and/or Latinx, something you don't often see in children's books about the outdoors.

[Kyle Napolitan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Comic books is how I learned to read. I struggled to learn how to read and wasn’t able to read my first book without pictures till I was in the sixth grade. My dad noticed the struggle and introduced me to my first book in the 3rd grade and I built from there slowly. One of the hardest troubles intertwined with that was comic books lacked any real life substance and instruction. I remember trying to read my scouts books and not being able to learn anything because of how my mind couldn’t make the connection between the words on the page and making an image in my brain that would click. This book has become a cherished one to me in my 40’s. Remembering the struggle and still striving towards a future of self improvement I wish so much it had existed back then.

[Clarissa Blakely · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a good guide for kids who like the outdoors and camping. The images in this book are really well done. They tackled topics like how to help somebody with an injury and the most humane way to kill a fish if you are fishing to eat. Those kinds of topics are really hard to explain to kids but I think that this book did it well, (although the fish part grossed me out a lot). My only issue is that a feel like a lot of these tips would require actually having the book with you to remember how to do them. The explanations about building a fire, building a tent, and helping somebody with a sprained ankle was long winded and a little intense for kids.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book of outdoor survival tips for kids. A wise abuelo takes his two grandchildren on a fishing trip. When he gets injured, they have to put all his survival advice into action. The graphic novel format worked well; visual instruction of things like knots and firebuilding become part of the story. (Although the square knot shown doesn't look like any square knot that I've ever seen.) I liked the overall message: the wilderness is a great place, as long as you take it seriously and are prepared with the right skills and equipment.

[Meagan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice format- It's graphic novel which tells the story of 2 techie kids who spend time with their grandfather in the woods. In the process, they take a break from technology and learn survival skills. I love that the book breaks down skills such as tying a fishing hook knot and gutting a fish step by step so that the reader can replicate the content. (My son is excited to try some of them this fall.) The family has a healthy relationship and the kids are open to learning. It's a good book- I'm not usually a fan of graphic novels, but this one is practical.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

At first I was disappointed with this book, because some of the skills shared were things like fishing with a reel and cooking a fish in aluminum foil, which didn't seem realistic in most survival situations. However, as the story progressed, the situation, while never dire, did involve some skills and materials that would work in many forested areas.
I felt that the story telling element did a good job of stringing the skills together and keeping me engaged, especially once there was a little more involved than just fishing and cooking your catch.

[Karen Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Believable characters, family connections--multicultural (although incidental, which is how it should be I think). Siblings join their grandpa for an outdoor adventure and learn LOTS of safety tips--while still carrying the story forward.
Highly recommend.
Bonus - kids who like only to play on their phones gradually learn teh allure of the outdoors.
Here's hoping!

[Sydney · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love that there's a graphic novel that teaches real life skills! Excellent illustrations and storyline. I enjoyed reading and learning how to Survive in the Outdoors. Thanks for such a great book Mike Lawrence.

[Andréa]

Note: I received a digital review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.

[C · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked how the comic explains (text and drawing) how to catch and clean a fish, pack for camping, create a shelter, start a camp fire, and wrap a sprained ankle.

[Krysti Kois · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written and informative.

[wildct2003 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent story and information. Highly recommended.

[Kellyanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great knowledge about camping, but be ready for a graphic explanation and illustration of what one does during and after catching a fish.

[Tara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Definitely a younger vibe, but very informative. The comic book style will appeal to reluctant readers.

[Maci Dierking · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a fun way to share survival techniques with kids in graphic novel form. Everything from fishing, tying a knot, building a shelter from nature, making a fire and more.

[Arlecia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love all things survival (I've never been camping in my life!). The illustrations, the instruction, and the story made for an interesting read.

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Features important lessons, like how to poop in the woods! That one might not save your life, but it's still good to know.