The Nature of Our National Parks: An Illustrated Guide to the Nature of Our Parks

Follow along as one young adventurer embarks on an epic road trip to discover the breathtaking beauty of every national park in the United States

Which park is home to the driest, lowest, and hottest landscape in America? Where can you find lots of mountain goats and more glaciers than anywhere else in the lower 48 states? And what would it be like to journey through all 63 national parks in one incredible adventure?

That's exactly what our young adventurer sets out to do—packing up an old camper van and hitting the road, traveling from Acadia to the Everglades, Death Valley to the North Cascades, Hawaii Volcanoes to Alaska’s Denali, and every other park in between. Inspired by a true story, The Nature of Our National Parks shares detailed insights into each park’s unique flora, fauna, and geographic formations alongside kid-friendly hikes and insider tips that make every destination exciting and accessible for families.

Celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States’ founding with this beautifully illustrated and comprehensive book that inspires readers of all ages to explore, learn about, and connect with America’s national parks. With all kinds of trip recommendations for every park and hundreds of fun facts about the fascinating species found across our country, you’ll be motivated to immerse yourself in our wild, magical lands.

Alexander M. Rigby has visited every national park in the United States. He is an avid traveler and has been lucky enough to explore stunning natural landscapes across six continents. Alexander is a seven-time New York Times bestselling editor at Penguin Random House where he has overseen titles such as Baking Across America and Life on Svalbard. He holds an MFA from Stonecoast at the University of Southern Maine. Alexander lives in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Find out more at arigby.com

Qu Lan, born and raised in China, graduated in oil painting from the China Academy of Art before moving to France to work as a graphic designer. She later pursued her passion for illustration, collaborating with major publishers and companies like Hachette, Usborne, and Adobe. Her award-winning artwork is exhibited regularly worldwide