Ocean Book of the Month

Every month, The Ocean Project highlights a book focused on our blue planet or environmental sustainability. Books for all age groups will be covered, non-fiction and fiction, prose and poetry. If you have a suggestion, please let us know.

Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder

by Richard Louv

Gathering thoughts from parents, teachers, researchers, environmentalists and other concerned global citizens, Louv argues for a return to an awareness of and appreciation for the natural world which is rapidly becoming a distant memory for all too many of us. Not only can nature teach kids first-hand about science and interactively nurture their creativity, he says, nature needs its children: where else will its future stewards come from? Last Child in the Woods is a call to action, full of warnings — but also full of ideas for change.

From the publisher:

"The recipient of the 2008 Audubon Medal, Richard Louv identified a phenomenon we all knew existed but couldn't quite articulate: nature-deficit disorder. Since its initial publication, his book Last Child in the Woods has created a national conversation about the disconnection between children and nature, and his message has galvanized an international movement. Now, three years later, we have reached a tipping point, with the book inspiring Leave No Child Inside initiatives throughout the country."

This book should motivate and inspire us to provide future generations our same experiences outdoors.

• Explore Richard Louv's home page.

• Find out how you can help do your part at the Seas the Day action pages.

• If you are interested in reading this book but also want to be a conscious consumer, please visit your local library and check it out.

• If you're interested in purchasing this book, and then perhaps passing it along to a friend to spread the word, we encourage you to buy locally and from an independent bookseller. Please click on one of the two logos below to purchase a good read and help The Ocean Project.

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• If you have any suggestions for a future "Ocean Book of the Month", please let us know. Send us your favorite recent or not-so-recent read so we can share it with all!