Book review and Q&A with Kara Mullane ~ author of Great Explorers: Observing nature through sights and sounds

Genre ~ children’s fiction

Series ~ Emmi’s World #1

Release date ~ Novermber 29, 2022

Page count ~ 32

Audio length ~ 6 minutes

My rating ~ 5⭐

My review:

Isn’t nature a beautiful thing? Emmi and her friends are on a backyard adventure exploring and making observations of all the creatures they see.

What I loved:
~ the close up view through the binoculars
~ big words are introduced and defined, like Naturalistic Observation
~ the mention of perspective and how she saw more opportunities by changing hers ~ this is true for many aspects of life
~ how a vision impaired adult wanted to join in the fun by using hearing at her sense
~ the aerial view of all 4 explorers on the expedition
~ the instructions on how to make your own binoculars because that is not something that everyone may own
~ Emmi has her own website with printable coloring pages

This is perfectly suitable for children aged 3-6. It showed the children safely inside their fenced in backyard, but I would have liked a reminder to not go out exploring on your own. I, also, would have liked to see a parent somewhere in the background observing the observer. Something fun could catch the eye of a young explorer and make them want to leave a safe environment.

The illustrations by Brie Bagwell were vibrant and fitting to the story. The flowers on Emmi’s shirt was a great idea since her adventure takes place in the spring.

*Thanks to the Kara Mullane, BooksGoSocial and NetGalley for the ARC. I am voluntarily leaving my honest review*

Book blurb:

Award Winner – The Golden Wizard Book Prize 2023!
Do you want to teach your child the love of science and nature?

In today’s world full of screens, kids are less and less likely to be pulled to the wonders of exploring all nature has to offer. As a parent, grandparent, or teacher, you can give your little ones the ultimate gift of the love of nature by reading to them Great Explorers.

Emmi and friends observe nature through sights and sounds they find in their backyards.

Science and Nature meet in this outdoor adventure for ages 3 to 6

Science terms expand this charming book into an easy to understand introduction to science. Girls and boys will want to make the play binoculars and head outside to see what they can find.

This engaging book teaches about using your senses to explore your world.

Author Bio:

Kara A. Mullane is an award winning author and has written three children’s books. Her debut book, Great Explores is the first in the Emmi’s World series. Great Explorers won the Golden Wizard Book Prize in 2023. Coming in early 2023 is Helping in the Hoop House (book two in the Emmi’s World series) illustrated by Brie Bagwell and A Gift in the Night illustrated by Rhiannon Thomas.

Kara mixes her love of nature with her writing of children’s stories. Her messages are of positivity, inclusion, and love of the environment. She wants to share these messages with her young readers to help inspire their own love of nature and cultivate kindness in the world.

Kara lives in Northern California with her husband, daughter and their dog. When Kara is not writing, her next favorite activity is being in nature – gardening, mediating, walking, she loves it all. 

Q&A:

Q1 – What made you want to write a children’s picture book?

A1 – I have always wanted to write children’s fiction since I was a young adult. I wrote some stories but never pursued publishing them. It wasn’t until I had my daughter, that I fell back in love with the idea of writing children’s stories after reading so many of them. I really connected with some, others I did not. I think I was doing mental research on how I want books to make me as a parent feel along with my child, and also what messaging I hope would be in the story for children.

Q2 – What is your inspiration for writing Great Explorers?

A2 – When I finally had some “me time” after having my child, I’d go out to my yard and garden. Being outside in the green, surrounded by the plants, birds, and critters in my yard just made me happy. I wanted to share my love of the outdoors and the appreciation of nature with kids. What is more fun for a child then looking for bugs and seeing them in their natural environment? The writing process was very organic and soon the thought of incorporating the paper craft of play binoculars just made perfect sense. The children reading the book could then make their own play binoculars and head outside on their own expedition like Emmi and her friends.

Q3 – Why do you think your book, Great Explorers, is connecting with your young readers?

A3 – I am overjoyed that Great Explorers is such a fun book for children. I think a big part of the connection is the character of Emmi. I worked very closely with my illustrator, Brie Bagwell, to instill a sense of joy and wonder in Emmi’s expressions. Also, after writing the book, I asked for feedback from a seasoned Montessori teacher to make sure I didn’t have words that were too much of a stretch for kids and to make sure the science was the right fit for the 3-6 year olds. Her comments confirmed what kids that age would want and need, it was a great validation.

Q4 – Do you have plans for another book to be published in 2023?

A4 – Yes! I have three coming in early 2023. Available at the end of March, Great Explorers Observation Log Book, a companion to Great Explorers, it is a log book like my character Emmi used, but we added fun nature questions and activities to prompt children when they are using it outside observing nature. A Gift in the Night written before Great Explorers, is illustrated by a water color artist, Rhiannon Thomas. Physical art takes longer then digital, and now the illustrations are done! The book will be out late April. Also, early in 2023 will be the next in the Emmi’s World series, Helping in the Hoop House, again illustrated by Brie Bagwell.

Connect with Kara on:

Author website: https://www.karamullaneauthor.com/

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/karamullaneauthor/

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/HoopHousePress

Twitter – https://twitter.com/karaMauthor

Goodreads – https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/23090217.Kara_Mullane

Available books:

Great Explorers: Observing nature through sights and sounds – Amazon / Goodreads

Published by Hoop House Press

ISBN 978-1-959789-00-0 Hardback

ISBN 978-1-959789-01-7 Paperback

ISBN 978-1-959789-02-4 Ebook

ISBN 978-1-959789-07-9 Audiobook

Grandes Exploradores: Observando naturaleza a través de la vista y el sonido – Amazon / Goodreads

Spanish Language translation of Great Explorers: Observing nature through sights and sounds

Published by Hoop House Press

ISBN 978-1-959789-05-5 Hardback

ISBN 978-1-959789-04-8 Paperback

ISBN 978-1-959789-03-1 Ebook

Great Explorers Observation Log Book – Available from Author website March 27, 2023.

Companion activity book to Great Explorers: Observing nature through sights and sounds

Published by Hoop House Press

ISBN 978-1-959789-06-2 Paperback

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