When Scout spends two months hiking the meandering Ice Age Trail across Wisconsin with his dad, they connect with many amusing animal friends. From turtles to bears, the wide range of encounters gives Scout frequent opportunities to better understand how wildlife is affected by human visitors.

Creative illustrations by Dave Winlett bring the stories to life while readers imagine what it might be like to talk with wild creatures and critters. Along the way, readers pick up ideas on how they might better enjoy and preserve nature.

Seven short stories make up the bulk of this book, but the Things To Think About after each story give readers a chance to consider different ways we can lessen our impact outdoors. There are also supporting sections with information about the specific animals and about the Ice Age Trail.
These stories provide a starting place for parents, teachers, camp staff, and other youth mentors to engage children in a discussion of environmental stewardship.