This book engages one to think about the subject of how to bring a child up in this world without preaching. It presents facts, and it presents the shortcomings of the information it has available, but asks the question what would be wrong with trying to change.

I have never read a book before that made me think as much as this book did. It rekindled old memories of childhood that were almost forgotten, it encourage me to strike up conversations with strangers who asked what I was reading about, and it converted me into an almost preacher for this book.

The book is not a non stop page turner, but it was fun to read; made my eyes well up with emotion several times; and most of all encouraged me to think about a subject that I did not realize had so much meaning to me.

Richard writes with a determined, but quiet passion about the disconnect between our children and nature. You don't have to look very far to see how true and profound that disconnect is. See parents eating dinner with their children who are mindlessly thumbing their GameBoy or lost in their iPod; watch as young children repeal from the feeling of grass on their toes and teenage boys who don't want to get their sneakers dirty. These are but small, every day examples of how we are becomming plugged in and tuned out.
I would encourage you to stop reading this, click on the link buy the book,and read it, RIGHT NOW! Share it with someone. Share the message with your kid's teacher/principal, school board, city council, anyone and everyone, start a revolution. Make a personal promise to take your kids fishing this weekend, take a walk in the woods, listen, smell, share. The future is now, Louv has provided all of us with the most poignant of wake up calls.
Take your kids and GO OUTDOORS NOW!

Just as people who don't know their history are doomed to repeat it, people who don't understand their roots and cultural heritage will be lost. Richard Louv show us how distancing ourselves from nature delivers dire emotional, and therefore health consequences. We are only a few generations removed from our roots in nature.

Research has shown for years that a simple houseplant increases creativity, but this is a great book for the lay reader. It gives a basic background and solutions.

I recommend it to everyone, but esp teachers and parents.

This book really struck a chord with me. Louv describes how today's kids are increasingly disconnected from the natural world and links children's increased time indoors, watching TV and playing video games, to conditions like attention disorders, childhood depression and obesity. It also highlights research that shows the power of time spent in nature to decrease symptoms of ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) and increase test scores.

I am compelled to get outside for myself, and believe there is much good to be had from the nature experience for my kids. Louv captures those feelings in a compelling way.

I highly recommend this book - for parents and for adults without children.

This book is sweeping the nation for a reason, and should be required reading for anyone who works with kids, has kids, or was once a kid! Louv poignantly and convincingly reminds us of the value of play in nature for our children's physical, emotional and spiritual health. He has a delightful mix of annecdotes and research which hits home for both the casual reader as well as the professional. There is food for thought regardless of your walk of life. It's been so successful that there is a movement springing up across the country to reconnect kids with nature. I highly recommend this book to everyone!