Rocky Rambler - Walking with children in the Lake District

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Rocky Rambler's Wild Walks is a book with a difference. It is the first family walking guide to encourage children to choose and lead the walks. Wild Walks features ten routes, graded according to length and difficulty. Each walk is introduced by one of three animal characters according to the standard of walking ability required.

Aimed at six-fourteen-year-old children, the bright, colourful format, cartoon characters and informal style attract the eye. The presentation a semi-overhead view with a bright ribbon showing the route, the clear instructions and wealth of information make each walk easy to follow and fun.

The walk is broken down into a series of easily assimilated pages, linked by the brightly coloured path which leads the child from page to page. Key points of interest and natural features of the terrain are illustrated with witty cartoons and poems, which sustain the child's interest as well as helping them find their way. These elements have proved very effective in giving children confidence to do the walks.

Originally published by the Lake District National Park Authority in May 1992, the book has sold 10,000 copies to date. In 1993 it won the Lakeland Book of the Year Award. Now published again, with full backing from the National Park.