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Loading... Last Child in the Woods : Saving Our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder (original 2005; edition 2005)by Richard Louv
Work detailsLast Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children From Nature-Deficit Disorder by Richard Louv (2005)
Although there were probably flaws in this book and in some of the author's arguments and suggestions, I gave it five stars because I think it's an important topic that was reasonably well addressed. Even as a fairly sedentary child who loved to read above all things, I spent plenty of time outdoors, climbing trees in the swamp behind our house, imagining on the rocky beach of Long Island Sound, throwing sticks for my grandfather's dog to catch.... My own children had more freedom than many in their generation, though probably not as much as I, and we did take them camping a lot. They have often remarked about kids they've babysat or nannied for that they do not (and often aren't allowed to) spend much time outdoors even when there is ample opportunity. I think this is an important book for parents, grandparents, and school administrators, among others. I would disagree with the author's idea that giving your kids a cell phone to take into the woods (or other natural area) is a necessary precaution. But if that's what it takes to get them outside, I guess it's OK. (  ) auntieknickers | Apr 3, 2013 |  I thought this book was going to be another tree-hugger diatribe. It's anything but. I think that this book is an important work for anyone to read-- whether they have children or don't intend to ever have them, whether they consider themselves to be environmentalists or proponents of the responsible use of logging. Louv looks at the many factors present in our culture that discourage children from spending time outside, and he explores the negative effects this separation from nature is having on children and our society in general. This is a powerful argument for the importance of integrating nature into our everyday lives, and it also includes practical suggestions for how to make this integration happen, regardless of where you live. While the visionary chapter toward the end comes off as a little idealized, I hope that this general perspective takes hold. ( ) readrunandrepeat | Apr 3, 2013 | Enlightening, encouraging, depressing....so much great information and an interesting read. I have a bias that leans toward the outdoors already, so maybe this wouldn't strike the same chord with everyone, but I was regularly spouting information from this book to anyone who would (or wouldn't listen). Kids need nature - already knew that, this just reinforces my dedication to that idea. It's also a great book to keep around as a reference with a bunch of web sites and ideas for nature activities at the end of the book. Regardless of where you live, be it city, suburbia or somewhere more wild, there's nature there for the enjoying and this book explains why it's so very important for children (and adults) to make the most of it. (  ) Sean191 | Jul 25, 2012 | This book was a bit of a chore. Mr. Louv spent a great deal of time driving his point home, which was probably helpful for the skeptics that were reading it. I'm not a skeptic, so I found myself thinking, "Okay, I get it, move on please!" This was good information, but it was a little too preachy for me. It did make me get my kids outside more, though, and since that's the whole idea of the book (in a nutshell) then it is at the very least effective. (  ) BettyB112 | May 1, 2012 | moving and motivating ( ) Yestare | Apr 19, 2012 | no reviews | add a review
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