'Every Natural Fact' Author Claims the Path to Happy Holidays Winds Through the Woods. The hustle of the holiday season may be the call to shop. Author, Amy Lou Jenkins, hopes you will engage with the season by heading to the woods, prairie or nearest natural space. The Award-winning author encourages everyone to enjoy a rich holiday season that includes spending some time with friends and family in natural setting.
"No one can argue against the charms of a cozy winter evening in front of the fireplace. But it's even more satisfying after a few hours of outdoor activity. Televisions, telephones, computers and electronic noise generate a deafening mantra that we are somehow insufficient without the latest doo-dad," says Jenkins.
Children in the U.S. spend a meager nine minutes a day outdoors; adults –even less. In 'Every Natural Fact: Five Seasons of Open-Air Parenting,' Jenkins and her then eleven-year-old son explore natural places in every season. According to Jenkins "Commercial noise programs our brains and hijacks our conversations. This season and beyond, plan to spend time, walking, snow-shoeing or cross country skiing. Spend times with your original hopes and dreams: find the natural rhythm of a meaningful conversation. Discover enduring tidings of comfort and joy."
Southwest Wisconsin Book Festival
Meet Amy Lou Jenkins and other authors on Nov. 24 at the Southwest Wisconsin Book Festival in Mineral Point Wisconsin. Jenkins will be signing books from 1-5 at the Quality: 1345 Business Park Road, Mineral Point, WI. Jenkins will sign books, display some small treasures from the natural world and offer a limited amount of free book group discussion guides. More about Jenkins at www.AmyLouJenkins.com.
'Every Natural Fact' received a double honor from USA "BEST BOOKS" awards. The national award conferred a first place designation in the Non-fiction Environmental writing category and finalist status in the Women's Studies Category. (Paperback: $14.95, ISBN: 978-098-235451-3). Jenkins essay collection was also presented with the Ellis/Henderson Outdoor Writing award from the Council for Wisconsin Writers, a Parent Tested Parent Approved Award, and a Gold Medal from the Living Now Book Awards
What others are saying about 'Every Natural Fact:'
"Any reader drawn to the outdoors will cherish 'Every Natural Fact.' Amy Lou Jenkins is the Anna Quindlen of the north woods, the Rachel Carson of the good land of Wisconsin, bequeathing to her son and to all of us an indestructible sense of wonder." — Bob Shacochis, National Book Award-winning author of 'Easy in the Islands' and 'The Immaculate Invasion'
"Braiding together history, memoir, gentle parenting guidance, and superb nature writing, Jenkins' prose illuminates the details of ordinary life."—Susan Cheever, author of 'American Bloomsbury'
"Wisconsin's wild areas become the world in extraordinary debut by Amy Lou Jenkins. ' 'Every Natural Fact' is nothing less than sensational." —Pamela Miller, Minneapolis Star Tribune.
"If you combined the lyricism of Annie Dillard, the vision of Aldo Leopold, and the gentle but tough-minded optimism of Frank McCourt, you might come close to Amy Lou Jenkins."—Tom Bissell, author of 'The Father of All Things' and 'Extra Lives.'