A Kid’s Review of Gus Outdoors (and a Giveaway!)

One of the items I included on this year’s holiday gift guide for nature explorers was nature DVDs. One series in particular – Gus Outdoors – is a favorite of the big explorer. I think it’s because he can relate: The host of the series is a 6-year-old boy exploring nature.

I reviewed the first installment in the Gus Outdoors series (Gull Island) earlier this year and thought that the big explorer might be the best person to tell you more about the latest episode, Lizard Town.

But first, a short summary. Six year-old naturalist and host Gus Nightingale goes on a quest to the Bahamas to meet some of the country’s many spectacular creatures. He explores the pristine islands in search of lizards, iguanas and snakes. He also does a lot of snorkeling, introducing viewers to the beautiful and bizarre looking creatures of the sea.

Have a look-see at Gus in action.

Here are some thoughts on Gus and his latest adventure courtesy of the big explorer.

Can you tell me what happens in this episode of Gus Outdoors?
Gus saw lots of fish in the Bahamas, he saw iguanas on Iguana island. He explores nature in the Bahamas and sees cool things, like lots of fish.

What was your favorite part?
My favorite part was when he went snorkeling in the cave that was carved out by water. I liked the cave – that it was curved like an arch and that it was carved by water.

Which creatures did you like?
The lionfish, jellyfish and the boa constrictor. 

What makes Gus such a cool host?
Because he does cool things like snorkeling and he sees animals that sometimes we’ve never heard of before. And he shows us things like the Bahamian flag and he tells us about new places that I’d want to go.

Do you think it would be fun to go on an adventure with Gus?
Yes – I would want to go to the North Pole to see Santa and the other humans, the reindeer, polar bears, arctic foxes, snowy owls and rabbits. It would be fun to go to the snow with Gus where the snow is special because it’s in a special place.

Now if only I could arrange a nature playdate with Gus!

Mom Thoughts on Gus Outdoors
Gus Outdoors is a children’s nature series designed to get kids learning about the outdoors. It’s hard for me not to get behind a goal like that.

But there are other reasons I love this series. Dad Sean, mom Amy and sister Talus are all part of the effort. And Gus is a real kid (albeit precocious) who talks like a kid, says things kids find funny and thinks things are cool in a way that kids can relate to.

Gus exudes a sense of wonder and excitement for nature – and also respects it and all of the creatures he encounters on his adventures. It is that sense of wonder that I’m glad to see the big explorer pick up on. He thinks Gus is cool. And that’s something I can get behind.

The Giveaway
The 30-minute long Lizard Town episode is available for purchase at the Gus Outdoors site for $12.95 (plus shipping) or at any of these retailers. It makes a great stocking stuffer. Hint, hint.

Gus Outdoors producer, writer, editor, principal photographer and dad Sean Nightingale was kind enough to send along an extra copy of Lizard Town for me to share with one lucky reader.

To enter, leave a comment telling me one way you’d like to explore nature with a child in your life. (And please be sure I can find an email address for you from the profile you use to leave your comment.)

The giveaway will run through midnight on Thursday, December 16, 2010. The big explorer will be choosing the winner (at random). Good luck and I look forward to hearing about all of your adventures!

Note: I received a free copy of Lizard Town for review, but you can be sure I’ve shared my honest opinion of the product here. I encourage you to read my full disclosure policy for more information.