The Geography of Childhood: Why Children Need Wild Places (Concord Library) [Paperback]

Gary Paul Nabhan (Author), Stephen Trimble (Author)

Book Description

Release date: April 30, 1995 | Series: Concord Library

Why Children Need Wild Places

In this unique collaboration, two naturalists ask what may happen now that so many more children are denied exposure to wildness than at any other time in human history.

"This thoughtful presentation, testifying to children's need for direct contact with nature, has value for parents and those who work with children." -Publishers Weekly

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

More than half of American children get their environmental information from the media, according to the authors, who find this a disturbing trend. In alternating essays, conservation biologist Nabham ( Gathering the Desert ) and Trimble ( Great Sand Dunes ) examine the needs of children to experience nature firsthand. Each author draws on his childhood experiences: Nabham's among the steel mills and sand dunes of Gary, Ind., and Trimble's travels in the West with his geologist father. They describe how their own children react to the world of nature and look at Southwest Indian cultures that are closely tied to nature. Trimble speaks to three-generations of a ranch family in Nevada; Nabham visits an extended family on a Mexican ranch. Observing social activities on school playgrounds, Trimble discovers more interaction between the sexes on grassy areas than on bare asphalt. This thoughtful presentation, testifying to children's need for direct contact with nature, has value for parents and those who work with children. Photos.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

Two fathers, both seasoned naturalists, earnestly convey their love of the land and their experiences imparting that love to their young children. They rue the fact so many children lack such opportunities. "When we don't grow up meeting lizards, snakes, and frogs, we have no way to recognize their vitality and dignity, nor the continuity between them and us." Often, the naivet{‚}e of these authors is as moving as their paternal reflections. Theirs is definitely not another how-to-collect-leaves-with-your-toddler book, and it raises questions that are not easily answered. With all their seriousness, however, Nabhan and Trimble still offer many delightful scenes of enjoying the wilderness with their families. Denise Perry Donavin --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 216 pages
• Publisher: Beacon Press; Reprint edition (April 30, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0807085251
• ISBN-13: 978-0807085257
• Product Dimensions: 5.9 x 0.5 x 9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #596,394 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Stephen Trimble has received a broad range of awards for his photography, his non-fiction, and his fiction, including: The Sierra Club's Ansel Adams Award for photography and conservation; The National Cowboy Museum's Western Heritage "Wrangler" Award; and a Doctor of Humane Letters from his alma mater, Colorado College, honoring his efforts to increase our understanding of Western landscapes and peoples and his choice to remain a stubborn generalist. As writer, editor, and photographer Trimble has published twenty-two books, including: Bargaining for Eden: The Fight for the Last Open Spaces in America * Lasting Light: 125 Years of Grand Canyon Photography * The Geography of Childhood: Why Children Need Wild Places (with Gary Paul Nabhan) * The Sagebrush Ocean: A Natural History of the Great Basin * The People: Indians of the American Southwest * and * Talking With the Clay: the Art of Pueblo Pottery in the 21st Century. Trimble makes his home in Salt Lake City and in the redrock country of Torrey, Utah. Trimble's website is www.stephentrimble.net.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars The landscape through a child's eyes April 29, 2000

By Tim Pudoff

Format:Paperback

Gary Nabhan and Stephen Trimble have penned a fine collection of essays on how children perceive and play in their environment. References are made to psychological studies that support a child's need for wild places, but the real value I see in this book comes from the authors' own anecdotal experiences with their children. If you are a parent of small children, you will especially enjoy the ideas you will get for places to take children to play and explore. Read this book and you will begin to learn why children need to experience wild places. And why, as adults, if we share the "hands-on" experiences with our kids, our own connection to the landscape becomes more deeply rooted.

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars I loved it! February 9, 2000

By B. Wheeler

Format:Paperback

At first glance, this book seems to be another in a long line of published material telling parents how to be good parents. But it really seemed like a personal reflection of what makes life great through a child's eyes. Instead of trying to raise a child through adult methods, this book shows that through simply remembering what being a child was and why it was fun is enough to help you understand what your child is thinking. Through this understanding, you will become a great parent. I was very pleased with my purchase and recommend this book to anyone that has had any contact with children.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Children Need Nature April 24, 2009

By Jeff

Format:Paperback

Nabhan and Trimble show us a world of wilderness that too often are denied our children. Discussing their own experiences as well as those of their children, they give the reader a great appreciation for nature and for childhood. As Nabhan puts it, "The playful exploration of habitat by cohorts of children... [has] been essential to child development for over a million years" (p. 83). An excellent book that has helped inspire my preschool center to add some natural elements to our playground.