A (mostly) Kids' Guide to Sanibel & Captiva Islands and the Fort Myers Coast - Softcover

Karen T Bartlett

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0990973158 ISBN 13: 9780990973157

Publisher: Mostly Kids' Guides, 2016

Synopsis

From purple blobs and desert islands to the laboratory of the greatest American inventor, this outrageously colorful 80-page family guidebook crashes through all boundaries and redefines what a guidebook that's truly designed for families with school-age children can be. While it features both indoor attractions and outdoor adventures for all members of the family, including cool excuses to get muddy and super-fun reasons to dress up, there's nothing typically guidebook-ish about it. It spans the generations, making it an enchanting read for parents, grandparents, educators, armchair travelers and even adults without children.

Beginning with the first chapter: "Everything You Need to Know: Some of it is Quite Weird," to the last chapter featuring a selection of annual festivals, parades and unique happenings, every page is a visual feast, combining practical ideas and inside tips on free things to do with freaky factoids, fascinating legends and hilarious quizzes. Several spokes-creatures, including Marigold the loggerhead turtle, Freckles the hermit crab and a roseate spoonbill named Rosie, get into the conversation along with a couple of dastardly pirates who provide helpful (and sometimes impertinent) commentary.

In this guidebook one must expect the unexpected, such as where to encounter a tiny real-life sea creature with the head of a donkey, the tail of a monkey and the pouch of a kangaroo (hint: it's a seahorse) or a restaurant at the end of a yellow brick road where waiters wear chickens on their heads. It also includes the websites and phone numbers for 150-plus attractions, outfitters and resources.

A (mostly) Kids' Guide to Sanibel & Captiva Islands and the Fort Myers Coast is the second in the Mostly Kids' Guides imprint, following A (mostly) Kids' Guide to Naples, Marco Island & The Everglades, national winner of the Silver IBPA Benjamin Franklin Award for travel.

About this title

About the Author

Karen T. Bartlett is an award-winning travel writer and photographer whose work has appeared in magazines and newspapers throughout North America and the Caribbean. She is the travel editor of Neapolitan Family Magazine, author/photographer of 12 destination travel books, and hundreds of travel articles and photos in magazines and newspapers in several countries.

Review

Wow! is the word for this second entry in Karen T. Bartlett's Mostly Kids' Guides series. While these dazzling, humorous and information-packed books are aimed at kids, even a 75-year-old like yours truly can enjoy them. What's not to like?
An intense color palette, high-energy graphics and the friendly voice of a caring storyteller combine with a treasure trove of data...excitement is everywhere...quirky quiz questions...maps help set the scene... and there's more than just what's indicated in the title. Other islands also receive attention. There's plenty here, as well, about "mainland" Fort Myers.
The voice (of) Ms. Bartlett as Adventurer-in-Chief is the voice of a charismatic cheerleader who wears her authority lightly. But that authority is real. I comes not only from burrowing into sources, but also- and more importantly - from her first-hand experience exploring each and every place. --Phil Jason, Florida Weekly

For everyone who's (mostly) a kid at heart, Karen Bartlett's Mostly Kids' Guides...are fun learning, delightfully disguised as fun reading for the whole family.
Bartlett digs deep into the history, geography, environment, nature, attractions, entertainment, and yes, even the quirks of each region. Using colorfully illustrated wildlife, pirates, Calusa Indians and various other characters to assist as narrators of sort, Bartlett has created quick-read guides that are packed with images, facts and fun. --John Sprecher, Coaste magazine

Far and away the best book I was asked to judge. Age appropriate, factual and well-designed. Most of the books I received to judge will go to my Little Free Library; not this one. --2017 IBPA Benjamin Franklin Silver Award judge

Edition details

• Publisher: Mostly Kids' Guides
• Publication date: 2016
• ISBN 10: 0990973158
• ISBN 13: 9780990973157
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Edition number: 2
• Number of pages: 80
• Editor: Karen T. Bartlett
• Illustrator: Margie Olsen, Terri Rickman Golden