Our world full of wonder by Jevita Nilson. Illus. by Jess Racklyeft

Our World Full of Wonder is a glorious picture book that celebrates some of the magnificent natural wonders of our world.  Each double-page spread showcases a range of natural landscapes including snowcapped mountains, volcanic cliffs, ancient trees, mysterious caves, thundering waterfalls and glowing tides at night.

The book begins and ends with two young astronauts floating in space looking down at Earth. The question is asked ‘Shall we go explore?’ And explore they do. They visit twelve places all over the world and see some amazing sights. The beautifully written lyrical text by Jevita Nilson is perfectly complemented by Jess Racklyeft’s stunning full-page illustrations that bring the written words to life:

There is a place where ocean creatures
roam a multicoloured maze,
where giant rays glide through gleaming waters,
and turtles paddle past wavering coral.

Each natural wonder visited is a real place on Earth and includes the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, the Cave of the Crystals in Mexico and the Valley of Flowers in India. The author has thoughtfully shared a comprehensive list with further information of the twelve natural wonders along with a map of the world with the sights clearly numbered. A glossary is also provided. 

This is a highly engaging and picturesque book that offers children the opportunity to learn about and visit places in the world that may be unfamiliar to them.

Teacher resources are available. 

Themes: Natural Wonders, Habitats, Landscapes, Exploration.

Kathryn Beilby