Nature Connection

Ever since Richard Louv diagnosed nature-deficit disorder in his classic book LastChild in the Woods, parents and teachers have been looking for more ways to connect children with the outdoors. Nationally recognized naturalist and artist Clare Walker Leslie has been igniting kids curiosity about nature for more than 30 years. Her unique approach combines directed observational activities with journaling and field-note prompts that are designed to nurture the next generation of nature lovers and environmentalists.

The Nature Connection is an interactive workbook chockfull of creative exercises for kids ages 8 to 13. Leslie begins simply by encouraging children to look out the window and record what they observe: What color is the sky? What shapes are the clouds? Are there any birds? What kind? Are there signs of what season it is?

Once outdoors, kids are prompted to record the sounds they hear, the ground plants they see, the direction of the wind, the shape and direction of their own shadows, and how each of these change from day to day, season to season.

The Nature Connection offers dozens of fun things to do during every season: write a poem; make a sketch; tell a story; record the daily sunrise and sunset times for the next month; draw a local map and mark the spots where trees, rocks, animals, and other nature sights reside (and identify each one); keep a moon journal; learn the constellations; or collect leaves and bring them home to sketch and identify.

Sure to engage the whole family in outdoor fun and year-round nature activities, The Nature Connection will also stand as a permanent record of a child's unique sightings and experience with nature.

This interactive workbook is packed with creative, year-round activities for curious naturalists ages 8 to 13. Clare Walker Leslie shows kids how to experience nature with all five senses, whether they live in the countryside, a major city, or somewhere in between. Guiding children through inspiring activities like sketching wildlife, observing constellations, collecting leaves, keeping a weather journal, and watching bird migrations, The Nature Connection encourages kids to engage with the world outside and promotes a lifelong love of nature.

Clare Walker Leslie shows kids how to experience nature with all five senses, whether they live in the countryside, a major city, or somewhere in between. Guiding children through inspiring activities like sketching wildlife, observing constellations, collecting leaves, keeping a weather journal, and watching bird migrations, The Nature Connection encourages kids to engage with the world outside and promotes a lifelong love of nature.

Step outside and look around! You'll notice many curious things you never knew were happening, no matter where you live. Full of fun ideas for what to look for and do every month of the year and with plenty of room to record what you find, The Nature Connection is your guide to exploring and discovering the wonders of the natural world all around you.

"In a time when most kids know more about the Amazon rain forest than their own backyards, Clare Walker Leslie's terrific new book will open a whole new world." -- Richard Louv, author of Last Child in the Woods

"What better way to go through the year than looking at and wondering about nature with your kids! A great activity book for budding naturalists." -- Elizabeth Kolbert, author, Field Notes from a Catastrophe

"If I could choose one person to be my child's Rachel Carson-esque grandmother, then I'd choose Clare Walker Leslie. But if Clare wasn't available in person, then I'd want my grandchildren to have this book." -- David Sobel, Director, Teacher Certification, Antioch University

Clare Walker Leslie, author of The Curious Nature Guide, is a nationally known wildlife artist, author, and educator. She has been connecting people of all ages to nature using drawing, writing, and observation of the outdoors for more than 30 years. Her other books include the bestsellers Keeping a Nature Journal and The Nature Connection, as well as Nature Journal and Drawn to Nature. She lives with her husband and family in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and Granville, Vermont.