This shop was so much fun to browse. Cards, games, art supplies, and natural science trinkets and projects. Great for unusual gifts and for children - we will definitely return.
The Naturalist Notebook is well described by its owners as a shop and exploratorium. It's an immersive experience that excites humans of all ages. Given that the scope fo the Notebook is the entire history of the known universe, there is bound be something that connects with every person who comes in. I love wondering around and making discoveries on my own and seeing my travel companions engrossed with their own interests. Perhaps most wonderful of all are the shop's curators. Pamelia, Craig, Virginia, Eli, and Haley. Definitely strike up a conversation with them while you are in!
If you are looking for a rainy day activity (or not..), this bookstore is a wonderful place to spend time. There are many books about science for children from the very young to high school age about biology, astronomy, geology, and other endeavors, presented in an orderly, easy to understand way.
For a truly unique and creative shopping experience, with a plethora of unusual gifts to choose from, and knowledgeable owners/proprietors - this place is a must!
My husband and I took our 12 and 8 year old daughters. We were there for almost 3 hours and could have stayed there longer. The girls did some activities and enjoyed the interactive displays on the moon, farms, the brain, the sun, the planets and more. My husband enjoyed browsing the book collections. This is quite a unique concept and I recommend a stop there. My daughters would love to go back. I would too.
The Naturalist's Notebook seems to have taken a page from the TARDIS-- it's a lot bigger than it looks from the outside and is full of nooks and crannies that hold beautiful surprises. Be sure to look past the façade of books that take up the first room. Go to the sea room in the back (painted with local sea creatures), down to the prehistoric area, and up to the very colorful second story.
This little store in Northeast Harbor is like discovering a treasure chest of all kinds of things artistic, scientific, poetic and creative.
It's so cute the way it is set up like a museum my five year old and 15 month old loved and loved being able to touch and use the stuff. They also have art classes for kids. Pretty awesome!
We spent about an hour and a half poking around in this odd little shop on a rainy morning with our two teenage boys. It is like a shop that perhaps I imagine a huge science buff owns, as it is full of interesting science facts, displays, and hands on activities. I think 6- 10 year olds would really enjoy some of the items here. There is a lovely section on the island flora and fauna also. Definitely most unique shop I have ever been to!
Discovered this store off the beaten path when my daughter was younger and we still stop in when we visit the island. It's not only a bookstore and place for toys and gifts about the natural world, but also a bit of a museum with creative, educational displays lovingly crafted for all ages. Topics and merchandise cover anthropology, marine life, astronomy, the earth, sun, moon, the brain, endangered species and more. My daughter still has a beautifully illustrated animal encyclopedia from there. Enjoy exploring both levels and all the nooks and crannies.