Summary of Last Child in the Woods

Last Child in the Woods by Richard Louv is an examination of the and vital connection between children and nature, describing the benefits to children’s physical and mental health that come from spending time outside in nature. Louv argues that nature-deficit disorder is a real and growing problem, leading to an increase in mental illnesses such as depression and attention disorder. He provides creative solutions and encouragements to make the outdoors accessible and more appealing to children and families, such as creating meaningful outdoor activities that are age-appropriate and meaningful. He also provides important advice on how to cultivate our own relationship to outdoor life, advocating that we improve our connection to nature in order to pass it on to the next generation.