From screen to pages
November 05th, 2025
Tara Hungerford with her husband Eric Hogan created the award-winning children’s media brand, The Gumboot Kids. The success of the TV show is the inspiration for a new series of books. The two latest entries in the series are The Case of the Tagalong Twin : A Gumboot Kids Nature Mystery (Firefly $6.95) and The Case of the Buried Treasure : A Gumboot Kids Nature Mystery (Firefly $6.95). Hogan and Hungerford co-write the series with Cathy Moss and aim to use the books as a “bridge from the living room to the outdoors” to inspire kids to observe nature and be present.
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BC BookLook: What is the biggest creative challenge in taking a common, natural concept and transforming it into a compelling mystery plot with rising action and clues?
Tara Hungerford & Eric Hogan: Great question! It may appear that we have created a simple formula for these nature mysteries. In fact, coming up with an initial concept or theme for a mystery comes relatively easily. There are so many nature mysteries! One of the challenges in writing these stories is to come up with the title for the nature mystery that is both playful and it evokes curiosity. Landing on three clues for the mystery can also keep us up at night. These clues must gently nudge the reader alongside Scout and Daisy to solve the nature mystery… and we aim for the reader to have fun and feel satisfied when they solve each nature mystery.
With each Gumboot Kid nature mystery, we find a way to celebrate a “mindful moment” that is inspired by each nature theme we explore. These mindful moments reinforce that we are part of the natural world, not separate and that nature can teach us about ourselves.
We always begin writing these stories with wonder—that spark of curiosity that leads to discovery and the feeling of awe that follows. When we go on nature walks with our children, we channel our inner Scout and Daisy to find those stories.
Scout and Daisy remind us how to observe with our senses and enjoy being present in nature.
BCBL: How does the central theme of the new books reflect a difference in what city kids (Daisy) versus nature kids (Scout) need to learn about the world?
T&E: Scout and Daisy show readers that regardless of where you live can connect with the natural world. In the city, Daisy has created a beautiful garden with flower pots and a place where she can watch birds from her window. Daisy also loves to create nature crafts inspired by her outdoor adventures with Scout. In his forest home, Scout is immersed in nature. He enjoys Daisy’s company and sharing nature walks and conversation about what they discover over a cup of tea and a picnic.
BCBL: The series aims to inspire curiosity. Was there a time when nurturing your children’s curiosity led you down an unexpected path that changed one of your projects?
T&E: When we had our children, we were living in a condo in the city and it was really helpful for all of us to calm our nervous system and connect with each other outside every day. Through our children’s eyes, we rediscovered the wonder of the natural world around us. Our children were fascinated by bugs, birds, dirt, worms, the forest, the ocean, the sky, the smells, the sounds, the textures, and the endless new discoveries. They would bring treasured sticks and rocks to our home and it was a reminder that connecting with nature made our children calm, happy and so curious. What we noticed and experienced with our children outside completely changed our creative direction and inspired us to create Gumboot Kids. We noticed our children were calm and happy after spending time outside. Our children are now teenagers and we still go for regular nature walks together.
BCBL: You have reached 180 countries. What is the biggest cultural difference you had to address to ensure The Gumboot Kids resonated in places like South Korea and the Philippines?
T&E: We are grateful that the Gumboots has resonated with children and families around the world. We believe that children yearn to connect with the natural world. We’ve heard from many families around the world that our Gumboot Kids books and the series help calm their children down. Grownups also like our stories because they remind them of the magic and wonder of our natural world.
The themes of curiosity, connection, and care for nature are universal and therefore resonate with children and families around the world.
BCBL: What is the next big platform you see disrupting children’s educational media that you are planning to integrate?
T&E: We believe a natural counterbalance to the excesses of the digital world is coming—a return to analog experiences: books, hands-on play and crafting, time in nature, and all the things that reconnect us to our senses and our humanity. The Gumboot Kids was always meant to be a bridge between the family room and the natural world. We hope it continues to serve that purpose in the years ahead.
We are grateful to be in our 10th year on CBC Kids and that we currently have 12 Gumboot Kids nature mystery books available to children thanks to our publisher Firefly Books. Our hope is that Gumboot Kids continues to reach new audiences and encourage kids to head outside, rain or shine, jump in puddles, notice the sounds of birds chirping, plant a garden, eat a carrot they pull from the earth, sketch a picture of a butterfly or whatever catches your eye—to fall in love with the natural world. This also means the grownups can help lead the way and reconnect with their inner Gumboot Kid!
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