Grandma Gatewood Hikes the Appalachian Trail is a brand new children’s book by Jennifer Thermes, and it is a perfect story to inspire you and your children to get outside and hit the trails!

The book is based on the real story of Emma Gatewood, the first woman to hike the Appalachian Trail alone. In 1955, at the age of 67, Emma Gatewood set out for a very long walk. A few years earlier she read a National Geographic article about the Appalachian Trail, and figured it would a be nice hike! So she informed her 11 grown children that she was headed out for a hike, and a few months later completed the AT.

Jennifer Thermes makes the story of Grandma Gatewood come alive with beautiful illustrations (see picture samples above) in Grandma Gatewood Hikes the Appalachian Trail. It really is an engaging read for children and adults alike, and I highly recommend to anyone who wants to inspire their children to cherish the outdoors and learn about the importance of Grandma Gatewood’s resilience and resourcefulness to be successful in her journey.

Happy trails!