Some of my fondest childhood memories are of learning firearm safety and shooting guns and archery with my Dad growing up. While I have taken his lessons and put my own spin on them in teaching my own children, someone found a way to do it that is not only educational, but adorable!

Considering the number of ‘Heather Has Two Mommies’ books in our children’s libraries today, The Little Sportsman series is a welcome option for kids who enjoy firearms and the outdoors. Author Robert H. Jacobs, Jr. started the “My First” series to bring the lessons of gun safety to a children as a way of building a better generation of sportsman.

In My First Rifle, Jacobs beautifully illustrates the fundamentals of shooting sports in an age appropriate way kids can relate to.

“I need to learn to be responsible,” Little Jake says in the book. “A gun can be a dangerous thing if you’re not responsible with it. But guns are only dangerous if you are dangerous with them.”

The book teaches the four rules of gun safety we’re all familiar with and goes on to encourage target practice, harvesting food through hunting, and caring for your firearm.

Jacobs also has a series of hunting books as well, including Little Jake and the Three Bears, Little Jake on Safari, and the newest edition to the family, a Little Jane book called The Elk Princess.

Illustrated by former Disney artists, these books are as beautiful as they are brilliant. My only regret is that I didn’t have them when my children were little, but I most certainly encourage all parents and grandparents to scoop them up for their little loved ones today!