ALHAUS adores: The Nature of Play
A handbook of nature-based activities for all seasons by Delfina Aguilar
Published by Fanny & Alexander
Created by Delfina Aguilar
Written & edited by Clare Aitken
Illustrations by Sabrina Arnault with Hiromi Suzuki
Designed by Charlotte Coulais at En Ville Studio
Ages 6-99+
What a joy!
When this book dropped onto our desks at ALHAUS HQ, it was immediately apparent that it was not only a joy to hold and behold (the textured cover and delicious scent of freshly-printed paper really are our catnip!) but also a guide to hours of joyful, nature-based play for kids of all ages. In a world where nature and our environment are things we observe via our tv screens and the endless debates about climate change, it says a lot that a manual of instruction on how to actually enjoy the world we live in is as refreshing as it is!
Get to know a tree! It’s a busy habitat with endless opportunities for fun…
The activities…
From outdoor activities like nocturnal walks to practicing your stargazing, getting to know a tree, and building a bug hotel; to rainy-day games and delicious recipes with seasonal references, this book fosters slower-paced play and a deep engagement with nature that will create real-life experiences in an increasingly virtual world. The combination of classic poetry and original illustrations bring everything to life and ensure that the Nature of Play is full of surprises! Contributors and interviewees include Tristan Gooley, The Natural Navigator; John Collins, aka the world-record-holder Paper Airplane Guy; astrophysicist, Anna Lisa Varri; and poets Billy Collins, Carl Sandburg, William Carlos Williams and Robert Louis Stevenson.
The definitive toolkit…
Described as the definitive toolkit for encouraging exploration and appreciation of nature whether you live among skyscrapers or fields, we have to agree that it’s a great antidote to an era of overstimulated childhoods and screens. With little more than some healthy curiosity required, all you need to do is dive in and enjoy!
“Many children don’t know how to play without a screen – this book is a small inoculation against that state of being. Most of all, it asks them to slow their pace enough to really observe, to examine, to contemplate and to wonder.”
