Clare Walker Leslie

Alive to your environment! The art of seeing!

Twenty minutes a day of mindfulness and well being focused on your environment through using various artistic media. A wonderful encouragement to continue or start to take note of the natural world you encounter. In the past I've kept a similar journal but the presentation of ideas and interesting ways to proceed in Leslie’s very accessible guide take things to another level. No wonder this work is in its third edition.
Succinctly arranged, with show more colorful presentations makes this work a great companion for those already on a similar journey, or a beginning place for anyone interested.
From a chapter on ‘Getting Started’ and what nature journaling is, looking at what observing is, to developing ideas and so much more.
A great layout that calls you to follow. I love the sketches included. All filled with a lovely vitality.
It’s like yoga with pencils and paper, calling us to take time to be very much present in our world.
I will be purchasing this in hard copy once it’s released. I feel the need to savour it more fully than on a pdf file. I might even add it to my present list.

A Storey Publishing ARC via NetGalley
(Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.) show less

I will admit to some bias when selecting this book for review, but it genuinely exceeded my expectations.
I knew this book would be for me because I have been a fervent journaler since the age of 8 - and nature journaling has always been a part of that. If I can be frank, I didn't expect this book to have had much new to teach me. I'm glad to say I was wrong about that!
The book is beautiful. There are so many tips and tricks to explore, but I think my favorite is that there is an emphasis on show more including all ages and skill levels. In fact, it makes me excited that I can share this book with my friends AND their small children. show less

A coffee-table book for hippies. Photographs, drawing, paintings are all very pleasant. There are a bunch of quotations sprinkled throughout and a bunch of interacting with nature suggestions. The book is solid artwork, with the text more or less superimposed, and must have cost a bit.

As a fan of Clare Walker Leslie’s previous books, I was thrilled to get an advance copy of her new book, “The Curious Nature Guide.” This beautiful book does not disappoint.

While I had an electronic copy, I think this is a book that likely shines in printed format. The guide makes heavy use of imagery and is filled both with gorgeous photography and the author’s own illustrations. Unlike a traditional field guide, this book provides suggestions and an invitation to readers to connect show more with nature where they are – whether they live in a gorgeous pastoral setting, or a bustling city. Ms. Walker Leslie provides several practical, experiential exercises for readers to experience nature right where they are, in the moment, using all of their senses not just their dominant one. With helpful suggestions she encourages readers to get in touch with their creative side, schedule an appointment with nature, and promises that “once you begin noticing, you will see more and more.”

This book will delight avowed nature lovers as well as those whose idea of “the great outdoors” is a walk on a paved path in a city park. This book would also make a lovely gift. 4 solid stars.

Thank you to NetGalley and Storey Publishing for a galley of this book in exchange for an honest review. show less