Vitamin N : the essential guide to a nature-rich life / Richard Louv.

Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

From the author of the New York Times bestseller that defined nature-deficit disorder and launched the international children-and-nature movement, Vitamin N (for "nature") is a complete prescription for connecting with the power and joy of the natural world right now, with 500 activities for children and adults Dozens of inspiring and thought-provoking essays Scores of informational websites Down-to-earth advice In his landmark work Last Child in the Woods, Richard Louv was the first to bring widespread attention to 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. That book "rivaled Rachel Carson's Silent Spring " (the Cincinnati Enquirer ), was "an absolute must-read for parents" (the Boston Globe ), and "an inch-thick caution against raising the fully automated child" (the New York Times ). His follow-up book, The Nature Principle, addressed the needs of adults and outlined a "new nature movement and its potential to improve the lives of all people no matter where they live" (McClatchy Newspapers). Vitamin N is a one-of-a-kind, comprehensive, and practical guidebook for the whole family and the wider community, including tips not only for parents eager to share nature with their kids but also for those seeking nature-smart schools, medical professionals, and even careers. It is a dose of pure inspiration, reminding us that looking up at the stars or taking a walk in the woods is as exhilarating as it is essential, at any age.



Richard Louv's new book, Our Wild Calling , is available now.

Table of contents provided by Syndetics

• In Search of a Nature-Rich Life (p. xiii)
• A Note to Readers (p. xvii)
• Part 1 The Gift of Memory (p. 1)
• You're Not Alone: Strengthening the Bonds of Family and Friendship (p. 3)
• Start from Day One (p. 4)
• Simple Ways to Expand Time and Space for Kids and Adults (p. 7)
• Give the Gifts of Nature and Create New Family and Friendship Rituals (p. 10)
• Make Room for Independent Play and Solitude (p. 14)
• Part 2 Ways of Knowing the World (p. 21)
• The Hybrid Mind (p. 23)
• Counteract Sensory Dysfunction (p. 24)
• Hidden Superpowers (p. 26)
• Extra Ways to Develop Extra-vision (p. 29)
• Discover the Lost Art of Finding Your Way (p. 31)
• Try a Little Mindfulness (p. 35)
• High-Tech, High-Nature? (p. 39)
• Go Wildsnapping (p. 40)
• Be a Soundcatcher (p. 42)
• Natural Creativity: Do It, Build it, Paint It, Play It (p. 49)
• Small Projects for Small Hands (p. 50)
• More Challenging Construction Projects (p. 51)
• Discover the Art of Nature (p. 56)
• Nature Writing (p. 60)
• These Games (from Around the World) Will Not Be Digitized (p. 61)
• Part 3 The Nature-Rich Home and Garden (p. 69)
• Everyday Eden (p. 71)
• Make Good Use of What You Already Have (p. 72)
• Build a Backyard Nature Preserve (p. 75)
• The Yard, Balcony, or Rooftop Farm (p. 81)
• The Restorative Home: Bring the Outside In (p. 87)
• Buy, Build, or Rent a Family Getaway Cabin (p. 91)
• Part 4 Nurturing Natural Resilience (p. 95)
• Don't Cut Down the Tree; Build Up the Kid (p. 97)
• Be a Natural Neighbor (p. 103)
• A Brief Developmental Guide to Nature Play (p. 105)
• Leave No Child (or Anyone Else) Inside (p. 107)
• Call in the Reinforcements: Grand Ideas for Grandparents & Grandfriends (p. 110)
• The Hummingbird Parent (p. 113)
• Part 5 Go Wild and Wilder (p. 117)
• The Wild Nearby (p. 119)
• Explore Nearby Nature (p. 120)
• Bond with Your Bioregion (p. 123)
• Become a Citizen Naturalist (p. 125)
• Wilder Still (p. 131)
• Step It Up (p. 131)
• Set Up Camp (p. 133)
• Get Wet and Wetter (p. 135)
• Ride and Roll (p. 136)
• Go to Extremes (p. 138)
• Nurture Your Inner Hunter & Gatherer (p. 140)
• Be a Wildwatcher (p. 143)
• Practice Wildcrafting (p. 148)
• Part 6 Grow Outside: The Nature Prescription (p. 153)
• Healthy by Nature (p. 155)
• Create Your Own Nature Gym (p. 157)
• General Outdoor Strategies for Physical and Mental Health (p. 161)
• Visit a Nature Therapy Retreat (p. 165)
• Go On Your Own Nature Retreat for Mental Health (p. 167)
• Be a Weather Warrior (p. 171)
• Activities and Safety Tips for Cold, Wet, and Snowy Weather (p. 171)
• Activities and Safety Tips for Very Hot Weather (p. 175)
• The Indoor Expedition: For When You Can't Go Outside (p. 178)
• Be a Weather Detective (p. 181)
• Part 7 The School of Nature (p. 187)
• Be a Natural Teacher, at Home and at School (p. 189)
• Ignite Natural Learning at Home and School (p. 190)
• The Nature-Rich School: How Parents and Teachers Can Support One Another as Natural Teachers (p. 195)
• Create a Support System for Nature-Based Education (p. 201)
• Use Your Parent/Teacher Political Power in the Community (p. 204)
• Honor the Natural Teachers in Schools, Home, and Community (p. 206)
• Part 8 The Nature-Rich Community (p. 211)
• Not Back to Nature, Forward to Nature (p. 213)
• What Every Parent, Teacher, and Young Person Needs to Know about the Coming Opportunities in Nature-Smart Careers (p. 215)
• The Essential Role of Libraries in Creating Nature-Rich Communities (p. 221)
• Make Your City the Best in the Nation (or the World) for Connecting Families to Nature (p. 226)
• Peace Like a River (p. 235)
• Acknowledgments (p. 241)
• Bibliography and Recommended Reading (p. 243)
• Notes (p. 253)
• How to Get Involved in the New Nature Movement (p. 261)
• About Richard Louv (p. 261)
• Index (p. 263)

Reviews provided by Syndetics

Library Journal Review

The esteemed Louv (Last Child in the Woods) delivers a next-step handbook, picking up where The Nature Principle left off by providing over 500 accessible actions parents can take to resolve the nature-deficit disorder the author has so compellingly addressed over the years. Balancing the needs of time-stressed families with activities that appeal to different cultural backgrounds, and those that require organization as well as encourage independence, Louv strikes gold again. The author covers everything from choosing an off-road style stroller to crafting outdoor coupon books for day hikes and fishing trips. VERDICT Louv has become a national leader in advocating for kids to connect with nature. His macrovision of ecological health speaks beyond the benefits of youngsters getting dirty. Essential for all collections. © Copyright 2016. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Publishers Weekly Review

Louv (The Nature Principle) proclaims the many advantages of reconnecting with nature, both for children and adults, in an insightful and practical guide chock full of inspirational advice. For support, he points to studies that have found many potential benefits of spending time outdoors, such as reduced symptoms of ADHD, alleviation of anxiety and depression, decreased obesity, and improved immune system functioning. Many physicians are on board and some are even prescribing nature time for their patients, but Louv sees parents as the most essential factor. For them, he offers up this book as a companion to his previous work, listing more than 500 ways to incorporate nature into everyday life. Suggestions range from the most basic, such as hiking or building sand castles, to more adventurous activities, such as camping or horse riding. Louv includes a superb chapter on building resilience and the importance of taking small, manageable risks; this section is a must-read for all parents. He also includes suggestions for grandparents, advice on how to "create your own nature gym," and ideas for building nature-rich classrooms and communities. Issuing an imperative that everyone should heed, this important new book provides the tools to reclaim the wonders and health benefits of nature. (Apr.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.

Booklist Review

*Starred Review* Louv, whose Last Child in the Woods (2008) became the twenty-first century's back-to-nature clarion call and a game changer in the world of parenting books, returns with a guide on just how to accomplish spending all that much-needed time outdoors. Vitamin N (N is for nature) is everything the worried parent needs: organized chapters that provide 500 smart, fun, and effective ways to engage their children outside. Louv covers the field, from craft projects to camping, stargazing, photography, and science projects. There is something here for everyone as Louv addresses families with money concerns, living in urban environments, with larger budget options, and those already lucky enough to be near wilderness areas. The accessibility of Louv's writing is what truly shines, and his enthusiasm, so evident in earlier works, is on overdrive here. He also introduces readers to organizers around the country who are dedicated to getting kids outside, which a special nod to efforts at diversifying the outdoor experience. Anyone who works with children will embrace this title; families will be thrilled by its offerings. This is, without question, another shot out of the park for nature-advocate Louv.--Mondor, Colleen Copyright 2016 Booklist