Clare Walker Leslie

Keeping a Nature Journal, 3rd Edition
by Clare Walker Leslie

Deepen Your Connection with the Natural World All around You

I wasn’t sure what to expect when requesting this book and since a fellow blogger suggested it to me, I thought, “Why not?” This book is filled with information and almost a collection of the author’s thoughts and ideas captured in sketches and words that have been compiled together with works of other artists of all ages and then shared with the reader.

The book is divided into sections with Part I dealing with why one might keep a nature journal, how to set your journal up, an introduction to drawing and how to keep an ongoing journal. Part II discusses journaling explorations and gives topics that might be considered for observation.

What I liked:
* The variety
* The sketches
* Being able to see how varied nature journaling can be
* Seeing the way teachers use nature journaling with students
* Being inspired to want to pick up sketching again
* The multitude of ideas
* Seeing that I don’t have to be perfect to actually sketch and keep a nature journal
* The idea of mindfulness that was brought in
* Seeing how “artists” keep their journals
* Wondering if this might be an interesting way to keep a diary
* Enjoying the uninhibited sketches by young artists and the clarity with which they saw what was around them.
* All of it really

What I didn’t like:
* Having so many ideas at the end of looking through the book that I can’t choose ONE to actually start in on with a new nature journal.

Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Would I like to have it in my library? Yes

Thank you to NetGalley and Storey Publishing for the ARC – This is my honest review.

5 Stars… (més)