Vitamin N

Starred review from February 15, 2016
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.

Starred review from February 15, 2016
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.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2016, American Library Association.)

Starred review from May 15, 2016

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 Journal, LLC Used with permission.