Naturalist's Notebook

Shannon Collins

2023-09

This is my new favorite store! I’m so glad we visited during our trip from Philadelphia area to Maine. Our family had so much fun exploring the thoughtful and educational elements, including interactive games blended in with the store itself. We’ve never seen a concept like this—it’s tucked away like a hidden gem and in such a great location central to so many other happenings. The employee was so kind and caring as well! Thanks for making our day!

Roxanne Borrok

2023-07

A hidden gem. Outside is quaint but inside you find so many rooms and alcoves to explore you could spend an hour or more. I felt like I was in a hands on museum more than a bookstore but they have those too, for every range of interest. Plus great gifts and interactive displays. We stopped by after hiking at Acadia National Park and can’t recommend this enough.

Damon Kyle

2023-05

I recommend this shop for anyone who enjoys science, or has kids. It's wicked cool and very hands on. It's the type of place where there is literally too much cool stuff to look at, so you kinda just sit there trying to take everything in for a minute. Think book store meets Ripley's Believe it or Not!

Edward Lyons

2023-08

Could be the most extraordinary store I’ve ever been in. My whole family loved this place. Three small levels of amazing learning exhibits, colors, and a wonderful, carefully curated selection of science books throughout. We were there for quite a while and will surely return when we are back in Acadia.

Wonders of Cooking — Madison

2023-05

A hidden gem - seriously the coolest bookstore ever that almost feels like a museum/Ripley’s Believe it or Not. Definitely go if you’re in the area! Tons of great National Geographic books & fun and unique gift items, all priced reasonably.

Lionel Bella

2018-05

Fantastic place to learn more about the wonders of nature and science! Great selection of books and other items that you simply can't find in a single location. If you're looking for things to help peak your child's interest in science, this is the place! A true gem!

Rebecca Quinn

2023-10

Our AirBnb suggested this store for a rainy day visit. If you like unique stores, science and learning this store is a must see. You could easily spend an hour exploring every nook. Items were unique and reasonably priced.

Kelsey M

2023-10

This place is so cute! Loved checking out all the themed rooms which include tons of kids toys and little games. Ended up with a few trinkets and a cute plant book :) Highly recommend!

Ashlyn Rice

2023-08

This is such a hidden gem! We stumbled upon it as we drove through Seal Harbor, and I’m so glad we stopped! The bookstore features all types of nature and science books in wonderfully themed rooms with fun interactive displays. They also have some nature related art supplies and guides. From geology to quantum physics, this magical little store has something for every curious mind ages 1-99!

Anthony F

2022-05

This place is themed in every room related to science. Jungle, Antarctica, the Earths Core, Space, The Human Brain. I highly recommend check this place out if you want to check out books, have kids play games and go on a little scientific journey.

TheMightyX

2023-09

This store is incredible! They have books on so many natural topics, as well as a nifty shop set up to take you through different geological periods. There are books for all ages, from stuff for your small child (get them a bug magnifier!) to things for young adults, and just regular adults. The staff was helpful and kind! I scored an ant identification book and I'm practically screaming I'm so happy. And they have a few cool things to check out, like a cast of a fossil dinosaur nest, and a few fossils and rocks, bug catching stuff, learning materials for kids of all ages...and the breadth of topics was astounding. Bugs? Got it. Are you a birder? SO MANY COOL BIRD BOOKS. Evolution? You betcha. Eels? They got eel books. Books on lobsters and ecology and Native American heritage and Jane Goodall and global warming and just....so many amazing books! I'm lucky I managed to escape with just three books, that is a big danger of this store (I regret not buying more)! And the books can get pretty scholarly; most of them are written for mass consumption, but then you go downstairs and OH MY GOODNESS they had BERT HÖLLDOBLER for sale (he's an ant guy; I admire him). I was so happy there. I'll be back, you can bet on it!

Nancy Martin

2023-05

Ahh I wish I had photos to share of this place!! It was SO cool. If you ever liked any kind of science museum, stop in here. It's like a mash-up of a bookstore, museum, and still awesome for kids and adults. Lots of neat interactive displays, amazing selection of books and visuals. I don't know how they got so much cool stuff I'm one building, it just kept going! My husband and I both loved it and I found a great book and postcards to send back home.

Joseph Sullivan

2023-10

Coolest bookstore I have a ever visited. Very creatively put together with fun and educational displays and many great books. Awesome!

Alison Dunham

2023-07

If you are visiting anywhere on Mount Desert Island do not miss this amazing interactive bookshop, especially if you're traveling with kids. It defies description, just go if you can. It was recommended to us by a shopkeeper in Southwest Harbor and we were so glad we took her advice.

Kevin C

2023-09

Adorable book store you books sorted by different environments. The decor is absolutely adorable and so much to explore! Great selection.

Shanae McDevitt

2022-05

A must stop! Honestly, the best bookstore I’ve been to. I was blown away by the themed spaces, interactivity, and attention to detail.

Fred Purdue

2023-05

My daughter loved this place and talked about it for several days. We spent a good hour exploring the place and then bought a number of books. I'm happy with anything that gets my daughter interested in reading a kids book on astrophysics :-)

Stephanette Schwartz-Smith

2023-05

This place is amazing. My kiddo loved it so much she begged to go back! In addition to a wide array of books and gifts relating to the world(s) around us there are eduactional activities throughout the store to keep minds (and young hands!) engages.

Megan Madsen

2022-05

Wow! This is an amazing place filled with books, games, and extremely fun sensory knowledge based activities! It has an upstairs, main level, and basement that are all uniquely decorated. I will recommend this place to everyone! I enjoyed every second of my visit and there is something for everyone there!

Ashlesha Gupte

2023-05

If I had 10 stars to give, I would have. This is not a store for everyone. You have to be totally nerdy and crazy to love it. I am not boasting in any way, but I do love science. The whole world needs such stores. Bless the owner for the painstaking efforts she has put in.

Mira Whiting

2019-05

I stopped in this week with my parents and my toddler -- my parents have been raving about this shop for years, and I was so glad to get to see it in person. The selection was astounding -- expansive and well-curated. I was able to find birthday and holiday gifts for my two older kids who both are very interested in science, and my toddler (who was really too young for the target age) had a great time exploring the wonderfully decorated space (he especially enjoyed climbing on the rainbow-painted stairs). One thing I especially loved was that the items were organized by topic and not really segregated by target age, so there were kids' things and adult things together, and there were quite a lot of things that were kid-accessible but not childish, if that makes sense. My 8yo is very hard to find things for sometimes, and this made it a lot easier.

Alec Temple

2023-05

Wacky bookstore/museum that offers hands on experiences, a unique collection of books to peruse and buy, and tons to learn. An excellent place to take kids and to waste time away on a rainy day at Acadia.

Dan Spector

2018-05

One of the best little stores we have seen. It had something of interest for each member of our family--ages 45, 44, 12, and 9--including books, sketch pads and pencils, and fun toys and knick knacks. Interesting activities, murals, and facts are scattered throughout the store. There is a room painted to look like a brain and another room completely covered in crinkly silver paper with an astronaut theme. Walking around the store you will find yourself in a mini biosphere, with a fossil-themed basement, a garden- and ocean-themed first floor, and a space- and planet-themed upstairs. We absolutely recommend this store to anyone visiting Mt. Desert Island/Acadia. (written with the 12-year-old)

Simon King

2022-05

Very unique and awesome bookstore! The store is clearly a labor of love and passion. They have a great variety of books about all aspects of our Earth. Make sure to check it out if you’re in the area!

Natalie Dirks

2022-05

Beautiful store, carrying all sorts of nifty nature-related books, artwork, and trinkets. They have a nice art supply section as well. The service was great and it's just a lovely place!

Amber Woodford

2022-05

Really cool little book shop-- great for kids. Very creative use of space and themes for each area. Staff was friendly and helpful about local info, not just books!

Sabrina Wagner

2022-05

Such a cool shop. Appears very lovingly curated. Someone definitely had a vision and it delivers! Highly recommend stopping in if you are interested in the natural world or have small kids.

Kerry Stutzman

2019-05

Fun to shop, fun to play, fun to learn. Do not miss this place! It is a cross between a children’s museum, impressive educational bookstore and ultimate classroom. The perfect place to be entertained and educated..... whether you are a kid or adult.

Wendy Marshall

2019-05

We stumbled in here after lunch at the Lighthouse Cafe. What an amazing place. Every kind of book on anything related to nature. They also sell sketch books. Lots of fun things to look at. Almost like a small museum and a store

William McComb

2022-05

This is a great bookstore and experience. So glad it was open when we drove by. I could spend hours visiting each floor. Aside from books and items for sale there is an abundance of information on each floor.