Customer Reviews

Tom Brown's Field Guide to Nature and Survival for Children

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

An excellent resource for parents, teachers, etc. I even found many of the suggestions useful for myself and other adult friends. I used many of the exercises with 3rd through 6th graders as a Girl Scout leader.

Be surprised at how little of the natural world you appreciate on a daily basis. Learn to really see and hear.

Also good for general awareness building and personal security issues for kids in urban environments. A good read.

This is a great book for anyone who is interested in their children's future and well being, as well as strengthening the relationship they share with their children. It is also a great selection for anyone, of any age, who is interested in learning wilderness survival skills and living closer to the Earth. Do not be fooled by the title, this book contains some very advanced techniques that are only taught in some of Tom's most advanced classes. The skills are presented in an easy to learn/easy to teach format and each skill is presented in a way that opens up opportunities to have lots of fun with your children and at the same time pass on invaluable knowledge to them. The book covers most of the basic survival skills such as; Shelter building, where to find water, basic fire making, finding food, easily identifiable edible plants, making tools, cordage, erecting traps and snares, stalking, basic tracking as well as some very advanced techniques such as; camouflage, wide angle vision, night stalking and tracking, lost proofing, Scout games and activities and most importantly a general respect for the Earth and our environment. Highly recommended to anyone, parent or not, who is interested in learning or teaching nature survival skills, and living a more fulfilling life than modern society offers us or our children.

I have this book as well as the one not written for children (Tom Brown's Field Guide to Wilderness Survival). There is much repitition in this book, but the kid specific instruction is very valuable. I put Wilderness Survival in my library and this book in my kids' library. As a Christian, I do not share Tom Brown's spiritual view of the world, but that does not mean that I cannot appreciate the importance of respecting the earth and living at peace and harmony with it wherever possible. I believe my children will profit immensely from this instruction. I have already learned so much about emergency situations and survival, wildlife awareness and how to avoid getting lost. I have also read "Tracker" and "Grandfather," and enjoy the story telling about Tom's friend Rick and his Grandfather, the wise old Indian who taught Tom everything he knows about nature. Again, as a Christian I do not expect everyone and every book to share my views, and can appreciate the wisdom offered in these books.

I need to be up front & say that I have most of Tom Brown's books, and AM a fan... But this volume is one of my two favorites (the other is his tracking FG). I have three children (youngest is 23) and three grandchildren (3 to 11). The main reason I like this book is Tom Brown's approach... He tells you how to TEACH the material in his book! I have worked with Boy Scouts for almost 30 years, and, needless to say, have attended MANY training sessions (including many as Staff). Lord Baden Powell, who founded Boy Scouts, said: "Scouting is a game with a purpose." That is the presentation by the author... make it a game!

Some of the techniques in the book I was able to teach to my children before I read the book, most notably, "Awareness!" But Tom Brown has skills far above mine. He is able to organize these skills in a logical progression, and tell you the "game with a purpose" method for teaching them. He even tells the age at which a child can be taught which skills. He includes some samples and descriptions for tracking animals. He gives great basic skill instruction, such as how to build a debris hut, and different levels of skill of debris hut building for different age levels. He discusses priority of tasks in a survival situation, and how to accomplish each task. He even suggests "survival kit" items to be carried by age level.

The book was extremely interesting, and easy to read and follow. I have bought three more copies for my children, and two more to give to other Scoutmasters. I feel that any parent would be negligent to not teach these skills to their children. GREAT book! Buy it, Read it, SHARE it!!!

Brown spent a lot of time in the outdoors and his books prove that. Here, he probably took advice from publishers because his other books have produced sales, so he writes for the younger generation. Stories combined with useful informaion make this easier for children to read. Considering the educational level and attention span we produce in schools, we can use a balanced book. Good job.

I was looking for a book that would help a child if he or she was lost in the woods - how to make a shelter, a fire, etc. This was written for an adult to use with a child. I wanted something written for a child who was about eleven or twelve.

I just dug this book out once again to share with a friend that happens to be a Scout Leader who will be taking boys to camp this Summer here in Texas. With great pleasure and lots of memories, I have worn out my 1989 copy. Nice to dust it off again for a friend to share with his troop. They will be working toward badges of course. This book and its rich content and exercises will give them valuable skills, life-long knowledge worth retaining along with badges. Being in the Texas Hill Country here we have many opportunities to be in nature and learn to be comfortable and resourceful if we get out and commune together as family in nature. Many families do not spend enough time "out of doors" to gain this sense and knowledge.

For families near water there is much to be learned about water safety in Texas as we have many beautiful and challenging waterways and unpredictable weather conditions. Too high a drowning rate here in TX - take care to teach kids what to do in rising water or if someone is in trouble in the water, it is vitally important knowledge/skill for life.

I've been a follower and fan of Tom Brown's work for a long time. I used this book as a teacher, camper and guide for years. A TREMENDOUS resource for adults and kids learning together to be in nature.

The quote of Tom Brown's at the beginning of this book rings even more true now than a few decades ago.

"Keeping children always confined to houses, buildings, cars and heavy clothes will eventually cut them off from what life is all about. You take away all possibility for them to really feel the intensity of life... By encapsulating our children, we cut them off from feeling anything real, and we teach them to resist the forces of nature... If you are going to the beach, the woods, the swamps, or the wilderness, really get into it, roll in it, and get rid of all protection that will separate you from fully appreciating where you are. Become alive, not removed and insulated, and teach your children to do the same."

Enjoy - for life ~

This book will bring you closer to your children, bring your children closer to you, and bring you both closer to the natural world around you. I cannot recommend it highly enough.

As I was a great proponent of Tom's philosophy, the arrival of my children made me rethink the approach to nature that I needed to teach them. this book is great to guide parents in presenting a new relation to nature to the little ones. You can start early with simple things. My 4 years old is already picking up dogs, cats and squirrels tracks!

Son likes to read this when we go on road trips and right before he goes to sleep. The book has alot of interesting things to try. We enjoy trying and confirming some of the things the book mentions.