MAINE FAMILY ADVENTURE GUIDE, by Roger Woodson, The Globe Pequot Press, Old Saybrook, Conn., 1997, 168 pages, paperback, $10.95.

Calling all parents of young children: We’ve done another Maine winter. We’ve doctored those colds and bugs, wiped those noses. We’ve coaxed our sons and daughters out of bed on pitch-black, icy-cold mornings. We’ve prevented sibling bloodshed at the height of cabin fever. “Moooom, there’s nothing to dooooo.” “Dad, do something. He’s breathing on me.” “Moooom, I’m huuuuungry.”

No matter how much we love our children — and mine are as dear to me as life itself — we and they deserve a break. Now is the precise time to start planning our spring and summer travel. Right? You know it. And I have your passport. Roger Woodson’s “Maine Family Adventure Guide” is an absolute gem I stumbled upon at my beloved Bangor Public Library and couldn’t wait to tell you about.

Woodson became a big fan of family travel early in life. As a parent he passed this tradition on to the next generation. Fortunately he kept track of his real finds and chose to share them with the rest of us.

What makes this book a real gem for families is that the author has obviously toted a diaper bag. He mentions the attractions like tidal pools to explore that fascinate children and totally elude the writers of more lofty travel guides. For example, in the paragraph about the Font Street Deli and Club we learn about the club cat who may nap on one’s feet. My kids would want to go there to see the cat no matter what was on the menu.

Woodson also gives us tips to help avoid many less pleasant surprises. When we read about whale-watching cruises he warns that, “The seas can be rough, so take precautions for anyone who is prone to seasickness.” And, my personal favorite, when describing a particular restaurant he adds, “This is a working pier, and the language can get pretty salty. If you have impressionable children, this probably isn’t a great place to stop for lunch.”

When it comes to the travel destinations Woodson describes, there is truly something for everyone. Educational opportunities include museums, wildlife refuges, lighthouses and whale watches. Shoppers can hit anything from malls to antique barns. Amusement parks and water slides offer travel-bored kids a chance to unwind. Nature lovers can savor beach and wilderness areas. There’s golf, skiing, and all kinds of gyms for fitness buffs. You can even pan for gold after you buy the right equipment.

If you need overnight accommodations, you’re in luck. There are campsites for roughing-it enthusiasts and a wide range of child-friendly motels, bed and breakfasts, and inns for those who enjoy less rustic housing. Some have very reasonable rates. And if you can’t leave home without Fluffy or Spot you can even find places that will welcome the four-legged members of your family.

Woodson knows that even in Maine some youngsters would greet a lobster dinner with cries of, “Oh, gross!” So in addition to sources of the state’s famous seafood he lists restaurants that serve more casual fare — subs, pizza, and, of course, ice cream. Many eateries are reasonably priced. Amenities such as children’s menus are mentioned.

This book is modestly priced and worth every cent. Its organization by geographic location can enable you to make the most of whatever part of Maine you decide to explore. It is just the right size to tuck into a diaper bag. And it is fun to read. Woodson’s conversational tone makes reading it feel like chatting with a friend who has some good tips for your vacation.

Whether you have a wallet full of credit cards to flash or the change you’ve scraped together by serving macaroni and cheese so many times your children don’t ever want to see it again, “Maine Family Adventure Guide” is an excellent investment. You’ll reap the benefits for decades to come as precious quality time becomes cherished memories and your children begin exploring the beautiful state we call home with children of their own.