Two siblings set off to live a life of adventure in the untamed wilds of their own backyard in this funny and beautifully illustrated picture book. We are wild. We are children of the forest. We were raised by wolves. And raccoons. And owls. Grabbing a bow and quiver, a kid sets off, toddler sister in tow, to live off the land in the expanses of their own backyard. First, they sneak past their snoozing father to pilfer supplies from the refrigerator, but only what they need. After that, they’re utterly on their own. Out in these uncharted spaces they encounter many dangers, from a ferocious mountain lion (a house cat) to a hulking canine beast (their dog). When the sun dips low, they make a camp complete with defenses to ward off predators. Matt Myers’s cool self-serious text is juxtaposed with whimsical art depicting the playful antics of backyard life, making for a tale full of delight for imaginative children. "A sly backyard adventure. . . . Pencil and watercolor illustrations offer high-energy encounters, while fantastical shrub-creatures that lurk in the background contribute to the fantasy feel. Myers writes with sharp wit, making exemplary use of the picture book format by employing tension between what readers hear and what they’re shown."—Publishers Weekly "Though the illustrations make clear that the duo is exploring their own backyard, the text stays true to the narrator’s sharply etched imagination. . . . An ode to the natural world—and the abundant imagination of children."—The Horn Book "The boy’s descriptive narrative, told with survivalist flair, is amusingly set against the siblings' actual experiences, depicted in lush watercolor-and-pencil illustrations, which also cleverly convey how nature can inspire imaginations. This affectionate portrayal of a brother-sister relationship also charmingly demonstrates how familiar settings and objects can—with a little creativity—make for big adventures. A strong pick for bedtime reading."—Booklist "The combination of spare text with lush illustrations will engage very young children, while the disconnect between the boy’s narration and the reality portrayed in the illustrations will intrigue and amuse older kids. . . . Celebrating the power of a child’s imagination and outdoor exploratory play, this book is particularly well suited to a read aloud and group discussion."—School Library Journal