To Find Treasure in the Mountains

Francine Rockey lives with her forever valentine and two young sons, where they wander along trails over mountaintops and under waterfalls collecting stories in Bend OR. This is her first book. Kendra Binney's ethereal, nostalgic paintings have been exhibited, sold, and published around the world. She spends most days in a small studio in Vancouver, WA, where she paints, daydreams, and paints some more.

Foreword Reviews, Starred Review: “Fostering love for the natural world, this picture book pairs lush illustrations with notes about the accessibility of interacting with the wild. You don’t need magic to find treasures, it declares—just sturdy shoes and a spirit of adventure! Follow along as a diverse group of children ready their knapsacks with snacks, water, and the tools of the trail, heading off to wonder at tall trees, cheerful birdsong, changing skies, and alighting butterflies. Soon you’ll be aching for outdoor adventures, too!” (July/August 2022)Shelf Awareness, Starred Review: "Evocative imagery and gorgeous art encourage children to treasure natural wonders in this picture book celebrating curiosity, exploration and the wilderness. To Find Treasure in the Mountains begins with three children securing their "sturdy shoes" and setting out on a mountain path. "All steps into the wild lead to treasure," the narrator explains, guiding readers to try what the story's trio does: "go eye to eye with grasshoppers" or "sit so still the painted lady butterfly believes your ear is a flower petal." These peaceful pauses occur between leaps over burbling creeks and rock climbs as a team. The children take the small tumbles that "even seasoned treasure seekers" do as they discover nature's gold: bird's eggs in a nest, a sunning lizard, a "great gray owl." Back home, they hold their treasure not as physical pieces in their hands but as memories in their hearts. . .This picture book is a splendid and dazzlingly illustrated love letter to the outdoors."  (August 26, 2022)“The Picture Book Buzz” on Maria Marshall - Making Nature Fun: “I love hiking, strolling, or sitting and watching - just generally spending time in nature. So it's no wonder I fell in love with this magical book. The shimmering foil on the cover hints at the treasure to be found within. . . .It's a joyous celebration of taking the time to explore nature, observing everything big (deer and lizards) and small (ants and butterflies), sitting still and listening, and "being brave as a black bear/ and as steady as a mountain lion." (posted August 4, 2022)