Take a Hike!: And Other Ways to De-Stress and Relax in Nature

Gr 4-6–Children today spend less time outside than any previous generation, even though research shows how beneficial spending time in nature is to both mental and physical health. The National Wildlife Federation, along with the American Psychological Association, aims to fix that. In each chapter, readers will learn different ways to grow closer to nature at home, in wild places, near water, and in the woods. Sprinkled throughout are nature related activity suggestions, asides that focus on explaining natural phenomena or answering questions about nature, and suggestions for small actions to take to make a positive impact on our planet’s health. These asides are clearly marked and accessible to a tween hoping to make a difference without needing to rely on an adult. Pictures throughout the book show racially diverse children in nature, but children of differing abilities are not. Locations featured are mostly within the United States, and there is an emphasis on exploring nature close to home. Vocabulary words are in bold and included in a glossary in the back matter. A list of resources includes kid friendly apps, books, and websites for further exploration.