National Parks - Acadia: Mary Parker Stamp Adventures Paperback – April 8, 2026

A curious stamp. A forgotten bundle of postcards. And an invitation that sends Mary Parker on her most breathtaking adventure yet—into the heart of America’s National Parks.When Mary receives a mysterious stamp connected to Acadia National Park, her fall break takes an unexpected turn. With her teachers’ blessing—“as long as you write down everything you discover”—she joins her Aunt Eleanor for a journey through New Hampshire and Maine. What begins as a simple visit quickly unfolds into a landscape of mountains, rocky shorelines, roaring coves, and scientific wonders waiting to be explored.Travel with Mary as she:• Rides the rails through the forests of northern New England• Explores Orono, Bangor, and the winding coast toward Bar Harbor• Stands before the thundering ocean at Acadia’s famous Thunder Hole• Follows trails around Eagle Lake and Jordan Pond• Gazes up at the Old Man of the Mountain in Franconia Notch• Climbs toward the windswept summit of Mount Washington• Discovers how tides, weather, and geology shape the National ParksAlong the way, Mary asks the kinds of questions that turn moments into lessons:How do tides work? Why does granite split the way it does? What makes the ocean “thunder” inside a rocky cove?Aunt Eleanor, a research scientist, provides gentle guidance without ever taking away Mary’s joy in uncovering answers herself.Set in the 1950s and told with a blend of storytelling, science, and history, this installment in the Mary Parker Science Adventures brings the National Parks to life through vivid scenes and child-friendly explanations. The book includes:• Beautiful black-and-white illustrations in vintage photo-realism style• Authentic historical details of early National Park tourism• A gently woven science narrative perfect for curious young readers• A Collectors Notes section for stamp enthusiasts• A focus on Acadia, with glimpses of Mount Washington, New Hampshire, and the culture of the region.Readers ages 9 and up—as well as parents, teachers, and National Park lovers—will enjoy joining Mary as she discovers that every trail, every tide pool, and every mountain ridge holds a story waiting to be explored.Whether you’re a fan of science adventures, family travel stories, stamp collecting, or the wonders of America’s National Parks, National Parks—Acadia will spark curiosity, inspire questions, and maybe even encourage your own journey into the natural world.This is Book Four in the Mary Parker Science Adventures series, following:• Where Does Steam Come From?• Invisible Light• The George Washington Bicentennial Stamp Series• Mary’s Collection (coming soon)Step aboard the train with Mary Parker—your adventure to Acadia begins here. Read more