Book review of Into the Wilderness by Haven Iverson

An inquisitive, courageous little girl narrates Haven Iverson’s Into the Wilderness, wherein she describes her family’s annual hiking trips to “mountains upon mountains, forests that tangle their way up ridges, and rivers that rush to pools of stillness.”

An author’s note explains that the book’s terrain is inspired by both Colorado’s Mount Zirkel Wilderness, where Iverson went backpacking as a child, and the Canadian Rockies, beloved by illustrator August Zhang. Zhang’s playful, bright illustrations of the book’s sporty family are set against painterly natural scenes, where cool blue mountains soar into a pink-tinged sky while an adorable mole dines underground.

The little girl grows stronger and carries more supplies with each hike completed. She even carries the map one day and capably reorients herself after getting lost. “Though I still carry fear, I’m learning how to carry bravery and confidence, too,” she muses. Feelings of loneliness sometimes arise, but growing self-reliance lifts her spirits and gives her the “bravery for talking to someone new” in this uplifting tale that reminds us that we’re stronger than we think, and we will always have a home in nature. Back matter delves into the concept of wilderness and how we might best protect and cherish it.