June is National Camping Month! If you are preparing for a camping trip this summer or want to learn more about camping, travel locations, and outdoor hobbies, take a look at the books listed below. From foraging to campfire cooking to Birmingham hikes, the Homewood Public Library has a book for whatever you are looking for!
Camping Books:
The Down and Dirty Guide to Camping with Kids, Helen Olsson:
Whether you’re a first-time camper or a veteran backpacker befuddled by the challenges of carting a brood—and all the requisite gear—into the great outdoors, here you’ll find all the tips and tools you need to plan the perfect nature adventure with your family. Humorous and irreverent, yet always authoritative, this guide to camping with kids, from babies through pre-teens, is filled with checklists, smart tips, recipes, games, activities, and art projects.
The Natural Navigator, Tristan Gooley:
With Tristan’s help, you’ll learn why some trees grow the way they do and how they can help you find your way in the countryside. You’ll discover how it’s possible to find North simply by looking at a puddle and how natural signs can be used to navigate on the open ocean and in the heart of the city. Wonderfully detailed and full of fascinating stories, this is a glorious exploration of a rediscovered art.
See You at the Campground, Stephanie and Jeremy Puglisi:
Road trips with kids aren’t easy, but new parents of twins Stephanie and Jeremy Puglisi became experts at creating lasting family memories without breaking the bank. Whether you’re new to camping or a seasoned pro, hit the road with Stephanie and Jeremy, hosts of the popular The RV Atlas podcast, as they show you the different ways that camping can lead to a happier, healthier family. From hiking with infants to navigating RV camping in state parks and camping in national parks—these outdoor lovers have tried it all, and See You at the Campground is a beautifully illustrated camping book for adults packed with personal anecdotes, packing lists, site recommendations, and recipes that will help you create a one-of-a-kind vacation on a family-friendly budget.
Travel Guides:
Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Lonely Planet:
Hike on the mother of all footpaths, the Appalachian Trail, cycle through the beautiful, historic valley of Cades Cove, and learn how early settlers made ends meet at the Mountain Farm Museum – all with your trusted travel companion. Get to the heart of Great Smoky Mountains National Park and begin your journey now!
The Carolinas & Georgia, Fodor’s Travel:
Filled with color photos as stunning as the region itself, Fodor’s The Carolinas and Georgia delivers the best of the South from the pristine waters of the Outer Banks to genteel Charleston and bustling Atlanta and everywhere in between. Beaches, golf courses, mountains, Southern food, and historical and cultural sites keep travelers coming back. Competitive Advantage: Fodor’s The Carolinas and Georgia, the only comprehensive, full-color guide to North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia, is the best-selling guide to this popular region.
Complete Guide to the National Parks of the USA, Fodor’s Travel:
Whether you want to hike through the jaw-dropping scenery of Acadia, see rare wildlife and natural wonders in Yellowstone, or go river-rafting in the Grand Canyon, the local Fodor’s travel experts in all the National Parks are here to help! Fodor’s Complete Guide to the National Parks of the USA is packed with maps, carefully curated recommendations, and everything else you need to simplify your trip-planning process and make the most of your time.
Alabama Guides:
Alabama Trails, Pat Sharpe:
A must have for every serious walker, this handy pocket guide provides information on the many hiking trails available in the scenic state of Alabama. An avid hiker herself, Pat Sharpe has been there, knows the terrain, the flora and the fauna, the pitfalls . . . and the spectacular beauty of the state experienced from its hiking trails.
60 Hikes Within 60 Miles: Birmingham, Russell Helms:
Whereas many urban areas farther north experience defined hiking seasons, Birmingham’s moderate winter climate encourages hiking year-round. Helpful list of hikes in the front of the book for special interests — best hikes for children, scenic hikes, hikes good for wildlife viewing or seeing waterfalls, best hikes with historic sites and more — make it easy to select the perfect hike for trekkers of all skill levels.
Campfire Cookbooks:
The Campout Cookbook, Marnie Hanel:
Forget freeze-dried astronaut meals and bags of stale, store-bought gorp. Finally, here’s a cookbook that complements the magic of gathering around a campfire and sharing a meal with friends.
The New Camp Cookbook, Linda Ly:
You’ll find organizational advice and cooking techniques, from planning your meals, packing a cooler, and stocking a camp pantry to building a fire, grilling in foil packs, and maintaining heat in a dutch oven. The recipes are presented by meal: breakfast, lunch, snacks, sweets, and all-out feasts.
The Outdoor Adventure Cookbook, Coleman:
A new cookbook from the brand that is the authority on the best camping experiences delivers the ultimate guide for creating wow-worthy campsite meals. Whether you are planning a picnic or heading into the wild, you’ll find all you need to make your next camping trip unforgettable.
Learn about a new Outdoor Hobby!
Foraging:
Southeast Foraging, Chris Bennett:
The plant profiles in Southeast Foraging include clear, color photographs, identification tips, guidance on how to ethically harvest, and suggestions for eating and preserving. A handy seasonal planner details which plants are available during every season. Thorough, comprehensive, and safe, this is a must-have for foragers in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia.
The Tree Forager, Adele Nozedar:
Did you know that you can grind acorns into flour to make pancakes, for example, or use oak galls for ink? Or that Willow can be used for weaving; ash, hazel and oak are all good for making charcoal. Packed full of recipes and things to do, there is also a sprinkling of folklore and superstition, as well as helpful recognition tips. Overall it traces the fascinating story of the intimate relationship between humankind and our trees.
Field Guide to Medicinal Wild Plants, Bradford Angier:
From Amaranth to Yucca, the family, common, and Latin names, history, distinguishing characteristics, area grown, and medical uses to 108 wild medicinals are individually illustrated in full-colour for easy identification. Included are the wild medicinals of North America first used by the American Indians. Their medical practices — along with those of the early pioneers — have had considerable influence on the medicine, healing, and pharmacology of today’s world.
Birdwatching:
The Backyard Birdwatcher’s Bible, Paul Sterry:
An elegant aesthetic is paired with practical tips on identifying, attracting, and caring for backyard birds, as well as crafting bird-friendly gardens and bird houses. With additional sections focused on everything from the bird life cycle to bird behavior, symbolism, and meaning in art, this authoritative book is brimming with engaging answers to all of your birdwatching questions.
A Guide to the Birds of the Southeastern States, John H. Rappole:
The only single-source regional reference to hundreds of species! No other region in America offers such a stunning abundance of birdlife as the southeastern United States. More than 190 sites are covered, including national parks, wildlife refuges, nature centers, and public access sites. Specific information is provided for 376 individual species, all accompanied by a species photograph and distribution map, as well as information on the bird’s appearance, voice, habits, habitat, regional abundance and distribution, and its world range.