As a mum, I’m always on the lookout for exciting new books to read with my children, so when I stumbled across Amazon’s Teacher’s Picks section, I was intrigued. That’s where I found The Explorer by Katherine Rundell, and after reading it with my 8-year-old daughter, I can see why it’s a top recommendation!

This adventure-filled children’s book follows four children—Fred, Con, Lila, and Max, aged 5 to 12—who find themselves stranded in the Amazon rainforest after a plane crash. With no adults to guide them, they must figure out how to survive, navigate the wild, and ultimately find their way home.

A Story of Survival & Adventure

At first, I wondered if this book might be too intense or scary for children, given the plane crash and survival elements. But what I loved most about it was how Katherine Rundell expertly glosses over the potentially frightening parts, keeping the focus on adventure, teamwork, and problem-solving.

Each child brings their own unique skills to the group—one knows how to start a fire, another understands jungle wildlife, and one knows which plants and berries are safe to eat. As they journey deeper into the jungle, they encounter a mysterious man, who they call The Explorer. He’s been living in isolation for years and doesn’t want to be found. At first, he’s reluctant to help them, but watching how their relationships evolve throughout the book was really heartwarming.

This book is packed with adventure, but also full of emotion, learning, and personal growth, which made it such an engaging read for both me and my daughter.

Why We Loved The Explorer

✔ Perfect for Imaginative Minds – If your child loves stories about adventure, discovery, and survival, they’ll be captivated by this book.

✔ Great for Learning New Words – My daughter loved coming across new vocabulary and learning what they meant. It’s a great way to introduce more complex language in a fun way.

✔ Survival & Nature Knowledge – We both learned fascinating facts about how to survive in a jungle, making it both educational and entertaining.

✔ Beautiful Character Development – Watching how the children learn to work together and build a bond with The Explorer was one of my favorite aspects of the book.

✔ A Lovely Ending – Without giving away spoilers, the ending left us feeling happy, satisfied, and just a little bit intrigued about certain elements of the story.

Who Is This Book Best For?

I read The Explorer aloud to my 8-year-old daughter, and she absolutely loved it. However, because it’s a fairly big chapter book with some larger words, I’d recommend:

📖 For reading together – Best suited for ages 7+ if you’re reading it with your child.

📖 For independent reading – Great for confident 9-year-olds and above who enjoy adventure stories.

Final Thoughts – Would We Recommend It?

Absolutely! If your child loves books filled with adventure, survival, and teamwork, The Explorer is a fantastic pick. It’s beautifully written, full of imagination, and a great introduction to survival themes in a child-friendly way.

After finishing this book, my daughter and I are already searching for more books by Katherine Rundell—we’re hooked! If you’re looking for your next exciting bedtime read or something to engage a young independent reader, this one’s a must.