The Adventures of Park Ranger Brock Cliffhanger & His Jr. Park Rangers: Mountain Rescue: Preserving Our Great Smoky Mountains National Park by Mark Villareal
Book 2 of The Adventures of Park Ranger Brock Cliffhanger series takes readers deep into the Great Smoky Mountains National Park for an adventure that both entertains and teaches about preserving our parks, wildflowers and wildlife.
Through Brock, kids learn that to protect our national and state parks, you first have to care for people and for the land. His core message comes through on every page: great leaders pay it forward.
This book turns a day on the trail into a real learning experience. Instead of lecturing, Brock teaches through conversation, questions, and example. When Jr. Ranger Ana asks, “What happens to the animals when a wildfire occurs?”, Brock lets Jack and Warren explain. They share how birds fly away, mammals run, and small creatures like frogs and salamanders burrow underground or hide under logs. Large animals like elk head for streams and lakes. Brock adds that animals are smart, but that fast, wind-driven fires can still be dangerous.
The book weaves in the 7 rules of trekking in the mountains and the Leave No Trace ethic. Brock reminds the group that the goal of the hike isn’t to see every tree or creature. The goal is to foster a healthy respect for wildlife and to inspire others to do the same in their natural habitats. The Great Smokies are too big for that. The goal is to enjoy the park, learn its specifics, and fall in love with preserving it. That lesson, he says, is for youth and adults alike.
Mountain Rescue is perfect for children ages 5–10 and their families. It delivers action, curiosity, and heart, while teaching safety, emotional awareness, teamwork, and environmental responsibility.
Grab your copy from Amazon.
