From the bestselling authority on connecting children with nature, a one-of-a-kind guidebook chock-full of practical ideas, advice, and inspiration for creating a nature-rich life--for kids and grown-ups alike.

In his groundbreaking international bestseller Last Child in the Woods, Richard Louv spotlighted the alienation of children from the natural world, coining the termnature-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.Vitamin N is the comprehensive practical handbook and companion that readers have been requesting: five hundred activities, scores of informational websites, an abundance of down-to-earth advice, and dozens of thought-provoking essays--a complete prescription for immediately enjoying the natural world.

Unlike other guidebooks, Vitamin N (for "nature") addresses the whole family and the wider community, including tips not only for parents eager to share nature with their kids but also for finding nature-centered schools, medical professionals, and even careers; suggestions for calming infants through nature, building a nature vocabulary with toddlers, and going on a spider safari with elementary school children as well as helping tweens become citizen scientists and exploring geocaching with older kids; plus information on how the whole family can join nature clubs, volunteer to restore damaged habits, or play outdoor games from all over the world--games that cannot be digitized. 

Vitamin N is a dose of pure inspiration. Louv recognizes the need for free, unstructured play that fosters independence, while understanding that the family together in nature strengthens bonds. And he reminds us that looking up at the stars or taking a walk in the woods is as joyful as it is essential, at any age.
 
“Richard Louv's Vitamin N should find its place in the list of essential vitamins! If we stress a connection to the natural environment . . . we can lessen the lifelong effects of a stressful childhood, including depression, obesity, behavior problems, drug use, and risk-taking behavior.” —Mary Brown, MD, former board member of the American Academy of Pediatrics

In wildlife conservation work, rewilding ? to make wild once again ? refers to the creation of corridors between preserved lands that allow declining populations to rebound. Marc Bekoff, one of our most engaging animal experts and activists, here applies the concept to human attitudes. He argues that unless we rewild ourselves, becoming profoundly reconnected to nature and fundamentally shifting our consciousness, our conservation efforts will have but limited impact. Bekoff shows that when we make the effort to not just see, but to empathetically become ?the seen,” our perspective on animals and their habitats changes in profound ways. As we shift to acting from the inside out, our efforts move beyond simply reacting to current crises and become powerfully proactive. Ultimately, Rewilding Our Hearts invites readers to become re-enchanted with our world, and by dissolving false boundaries, to truly connect with both nature and ourselves.