Book Review
Every Natural Fact - Five Seasons of Open Air Parenting
by Amy Lou Jenkins
About the Author
Amy Lou holds a BSN in Nursing and Professional Communication and
an MFA in Literature and Creative Writing from Bennington College. She teaches
as a university adjunct and at writing retreats, conferences and workshops. She also writes a quarterly book review column for the Sierra Club’s Muir View and a writing site at www.Anthologiesonline.com. She’s read her essays on Wisconsin and Alaska public radio and been a radio guest on dozens of shows. She lives in Wisconsin with her husband, son, and two spoiled dogs.
Her
environmental and nature writing has been honored by, The Florida
Review Editors Award in Nonfiction, Literal Latte Essay Awards, Flint Hills
Review Nonfiction Award, X.J. Kennedy Award for Nonfiction, and twice by the
Ellis/Henderson Outdoor Writing Award. Her nonfiction has also won first place
in the Jade Ring Award for Essay Writing, Wisconsin Regional Writing Award in
Essay, Memoir, and Travel Writing. She is the recipient of a Mesa Refuge writing
fellowship for environmental writing.
Book Description
Every Natural Fact: Five Seasons of Open-Air Parenting is a narrative of
mother-and-son nature outings across the state of Wisconsin. In a style that
blends the voices of Janisse Ray and Annie Dillard, a mother and son explore
parallels in the world of people and nature. The interconnected chapters stand
on their own and build upon each other. These explorations of natural history,
flora and fauna, and parenting themes demonstrate that the mythic thread that
winds through everything can still be found, even in a world of wounds. Amy Lou
Jenkins' award-winning writing is rich in sensory immediacy, characterization,
natural history, and humor.
Book Review
If you love wildlife and nature then this is the book for you. Filled with the beauty of nature the authors writing takes you on a journey around the wild Wisconsin region. Together with her son, DJ, they go on outings exploring the natural country, building a unique bond between mother and son. A relationship that is becoming increasingly hard as her adolescent son is on the brink of growing up, the author tries to capture the last moments of childhood together.
The book is full of detailed nature writing with some really informative historical facts on the region they are visiting and some sadness of how over the years humans have altered the natural course of the habitat.
I especially enjoyed the humorous stories from old aunts and uncles as they attempt to keep them alive with the new generation by enjoying close family times, ensuring that the stories are not lost forever. I also loved the chapter on the eagles and at one particular point when the author suddenly stopped her car, with excitement, at the spotting of one as she was driving, something we have done many times!!
The book is a lovely refreshing read, at first I felt as it was jumping needlessly between subjects, it highlights the need to make the most of childhood and nature, enjoying what the natural world has to offer.
Our Rating
Loved the Pinning Hop.
ReplyDeleteHaven't heard of this book. thanks for the review!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a wonderful book. I'll have to check it out (and enter to win a signed copy!). Do you know if it's available for the nook?
ReplyDeleteSounds like a fantastic book! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like quite an interesting book. I will have to check it out. Thanks for sharing this!
ReplyDeleteYes --it is available for nook and kindle!
ReplyDeleteDanielle, Every Natural Fact is available for the nook and kindle. Thanks for asking!
ReplyDelete