Vitamin N (Algonquin Books)

From the bestselling authority on connecting children with nature, a one-of-a-kind guide chock-full of practical ideas, advice, and inspiration for creating a nature-rich life--for kids and grown-ups. In his groundbreaking international bestseller Last Child in the Woods, Richard Louv spotlighted the alienation of children from the natural world, coining the term nature-deficit disorder and outlining the benefits of a strong nature connection--from boosting mental acuity and creativity to reducing obesity and depression, from promoting health and wellness to simply having fun. Vitamin N is the comprehensive practical handbook, a companion to both Last Child in the Woods and The Nature Principle, that readers have been craving, a complete prescription for enjoying the natural world right now, with five hundred activities, scores of informational websites, an abundance of down-to-earth advice, and dozens of thought-provoking essays. Unlike other guidebooks, Vitamin N (for "nature") addresses the whole family and the wider community, including tips not only for parents eager to share nature with their kids but also for finding nature-centered schools, medical professionals, and even careers; suggestions for calming infants through nature, building a nature vocabulary with toddlers, and measuring weather with elementary school children, as well as helping tweens become citizen scientists and exploring geocaching with older kids; plus information on how the whole family can join nature clubs, volunteer to restore damaged habitats, or play outdoor games from all over the world. Vitamin N is a dose of pure inspiration, reminding us that looking up at the stars or taking a walk in the woods is as joyful as it is essential, at any age.