Sense Of Wonder

First published more than three decades ago this reissue of Rachel Carsons awardwinning classic brings her unique vision to a new generation of readers. Stunning new photographs by Nick Kelsh beautifully complement Carsons intimate account of adventures with her young nephew Roger as they enjoy walks along the rocky coast of Maine and through dense forests and open fields observing wildlife strange plants moonlight and storm clouds and listening to the living music of insects in the underbrush. If a child is to keep alive his inborn sense of wonder. Writes Carson he needs the companionship of at least one adult who can share it rediscovering with him the joy excitement and mystery of the world we live in. The Sense of Wonder is a refreshing antidote to indifference and a guide to capturing the simple power of discovery that Carson views as essential to life. In her insightful new introduction Linda Lear remembers Rachel Carsons groundbreaking achievements in the context of the legendary environmentalists personal commitment to introducing young and old to the miracles of nature. Kelshs lush photographs inspire sensual tactile reactions masses of leaves floating in a puddle are just waiting to be scooped up and examined more closely. An image of a narrow path through the trees evokes the earthy scent of the woods after a summer rain. Closeups of mosses and miniature lichen fantasylands will spark innocentas well as more jadedimaginations. Like a curious child studying things underfoot and within reach Kelshs camera is drawn to patterns in nature that too often elude hurried adultsa stand of beech trees in the springtime patches of melting snow and the ripples from a pebble tossed into a slowmoving stream. The Sense of Wonder is a timeless volume that will be passed on from children to grandchildren as treasured as the memory of an earlymorning walk when the song of a whippoorwill was heard as if for the first time.