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cocozbooks's review against another edition
5.0
In this short essay, Carson (author of Silent Spring) discusses the importance of helping cultivate a sense of wonder for the natural world in our children. From her descriptions of nighttime explores to walks on the beach, she helps remind us of how precious this natural world is and how important it is to start early with our kids to respect and be in awe of this world!
lizawren's review against another edition
5.0
Rachel Carson is one of my personal heroes and I really loved her short ode to experiencing nature with children. It’s sentimental and heartfelt, but never sloppy:
“One way to open your eyes to unnoticed beauty is to ask yourself, ‘What if I had never seen this before? What if I knew I would never see it again?’ ...It occurred to me that if this were a sight that could be seen only once in a century or even once in a human generation, this little headland would be thronged with spectators. But it can be seen many scores of nights in any year… and because they could see it almost any night perhaps they will never see it. An experience like that, when one’s thoughts are released to roam through the lonely spaces of the universe, can be shared with a child even if you don’t know the name of a single star. You can still drink in the beauty, and think and wonder at the meaning of what you see.”What I love about Rachel Carson is she’s a scientist first and foremost, but completely defies the (undeserved) stereotype of scientists as callous robots. She takes time to be awe-inspired and set aside thinking for feeling, but never needs to invoke the supernatural to do so.
“The lasting pleasures of contact with the natural world are not reserved for scientists but are available to anyone who will place himself under the influence of earth, sea and sky and their amazing life… Those who dwell, as scientists or laymen, among the beauties and mysteries of the earth are never alone or weary of life. Whatever the vexations or concerns of their personal lives, their thoughts can find paths that lead to inner contentment and to renewed excitement in living. Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts.”So incredibly beautiful.
culverreader's review against another edition
Read in honor of Rachel Carson's birthday.
elisemzaidi's review against another edition
5.0
This is a beautiful essay on appreciating nature that is still poignant almost 60 years after it was written by conservationist Rachel Carson.
"There is something infinitely healing in the repeated refrains of nature - the assurance that dawn comes after night, and spring after the winter."
"There is something infinitely healing in the repeated refrains of nature - the assurance that dawn comes after night, and spring after the winter."
alyciami89's review against another edition
5.0
This was lovely. V glad I found the photo essay version
chelsegoose's review against another edition
3.0
3 stars - as with all rachel carson writing, i enjoyed it, but you can definitely tell this was unfished. i wish this was a full fleshed out book as i enjoyed the premise of it, it made me think about how i view nature and how that has changed from how i viewed it as a little kid.
my mom gifted me this book but she hasn't read it yet, so i am excited for her to read and see what she thinks, considering it is for parents and children.
my mom gifted me this book but she hasn't read it yet, so i am excited for her to read and see what she thinks, considering it is for parents and children.
hledvina's review against another edition
5.0
Rachel Carson, a wise person. This short tome will make me a better grandma to lucy!
kellymcgatha's review against another edition
5.0
Update: I had to reread this, for it will be my parenting bible. I appreciate Rachel Carson’s words now more than ever.
One of the most beautiful books I've ever read. It was originally published as an article, so it is short and simple, yet every description says so much that it really doesn't need to be any longer (though I would probably love it even more if it was). It is geared towards parents and care-givers, neither of which applies to me, but since I see quotes from the book online all the time, and use the quotes often myself, I wanted to read the the entire piece. Her descriptions of nature are so gorgeous that it is impossible not to feel overwhelmed with wonder after reading it. I now want to read everything she has ever written.
One of the most beautiful books I've ever read. It was originally published as an article, so it is short and simple, yet every description says so much that it really doesn't need to be any longer (though I would probably love it even more if it was). It is geared towards parents and care-givers, neither of which applies to me, but since I see quotes from the book online all the time, and use the quotes often myself, I wanted to read the the entire piece. Her descriptions of nature are so gorgeous that it is impossible not to feel overwhelmed with wonder after reading it. I now want to read everything she has ever written.
kellymcgatha's review against another edition
5.0
Update: I had to reread this, for it will be my parenting bible. I appreciate Rachel Carson’s words now more than ever.
One of the most beautiful books I've ever read. It was originally published as an article, so it is short and simple, yet every description says so much that it really doesn't need to be any longer (though I would probably love it even more if it was). It is geared towards parents and care-givers, neither of which applies to me, but since I see quotes from the book online all the time, and use the quotes often myself, I wanted to read the the entire piece. Her descriptions of nature are so gorgeous that it is impossible not to feel overwhelmed with wonder after reading it. I now want to read everything she has ever written.
One of the most beautiful books I've ever read. It was originally published as an article, so it is short and simple, yet every description says so much that it really doesn't need to be any longer (though I would probably love it even more if it was). It is geared towards parents and care-givers, neither of which applies to me, but since I see quotes from the book online all the time, and use the quotes often myself, I wanted to read the the entire piece. Her descriptions of nature are so gorgeous that it is impossible not to feel overwhelmed with wonder after reading it. I now want to read everything she has ever written.
amduhamel's review against another edition
The text is beautiful. The pictures (from the 1960s) to my eyes viewing them in 2023 look dated — this would be an even lovelier book if they could be updated with more vibrant colors.