From fireflies to ocean tides, Atlantic Canada’s woods, fields, and coastlines are teeming with natural wonders. In her new non-fiction book, author and illustrator Peggy Kochanoff decodes some of the East Coast’s more intriguing mysteries.

The book begins with a topic that fascinates many young naturalists: poop. In this first section, Kochanoff details many types of scat produced by common animals, including rabbits, skunks, and porcupines. The matter-of-fact descriptions are accompanied by accurately detailed watercolour illustrations.

The following sections are just as informative. After grabbing the reader’s attention, Kochanoff quickly moves on to answer questions like, “What are the rings on tree stumps and how did they get there?” and, “How can fireflies give off light and not become hot like an electric light bulb?” Each question is answered carefully and precisely, not only satisfying curious minds, but also providing well-researched facts that would be useful in a school or library setting. 

The illustrations are a great addition, and some chapters are particularly enhanced by the visuals. For example, in the section on tree rings, Kochanoff provides a labelled cross-section of a tree trunk, giving readers quick access to information and making it ideal for a young student new to the subject matter. Other sections, including “Galls” and “Lichen,” provide illustrations that can be used for identification in the field.

A helpful glossary of terms rounds out the package, making Be a Wilderness Detective a great addition to any young nature enthusiast’s bookshelf.