Joseph Cornell’s classic parents’ and teachers’ nature awareness book for kids has sold almost half a million copies in over 15 languages. His 20th anniversary edition updates some of the original activities and includes several more. The sequel (Sharing Nature With Children II) includes new games for children and adults as well as Cornell’s novel method of putting activities together for deeper insights. Each book has loads of events designed for groups, pairs or even solitary action. From scavenger hunts to bird calling, guided imagery to nature meditations, Cornell dovetails the path of knowledge with the path of heart. Also included are notations that show parents/teachers at a glance which games are good for introspection, activity, group work, etc. These are excellent summer books for you and your child – not only to deepen in relationship with nature, animals and each other, but to rediscover that learning really can be fun.

— Alaska Wellness – Dawn Brunke (July/August 2003)

Joseph Cornell has produced many useful and inspirational books dedicated to getting children outside and immersed in their natural world. First published in 1979, Sharing Nature With Children, and the second book which followed 10 years later, have more than stood the test of time. I am sure that, without even knowing it, many of us in our work as teachers, facilitators and naturalists utilize many of the innovative games, activities and writings. Sharing Nature With Children I and II are for most of us a great collection of nature activities. Inside you can find dozens of games, activities, stories and inspiration – everything from all out play to quiet reflection to calling animals. And all of this is in the name of getting kids, ages 2-102, to observe and enjoy the natural world around them. If you have ever “Built a Tree” or made a sound map somewhere along the line you have affected by Joseph Cornell. Looking for some inspiration or some new activities to liven up your lessons? Either of these books are a great place to start.

But in Sharing Nature With Children II, Joseph Cornell has given us more. Through his years of experience as an educator of students of all ages and all over the world, Cornell has developed a great strategy and framework for getting those students to get the most possible out of their experience – a mode of sequencing activities called Flow Learning. Through this four-step skeleton you can sequence activities to make sure that your students are interested, learning and, by the end of the day, getting the most out of the experience. And more importantly, all directly in nature. Cornell even takes it one step further and clues you in as to which step in the process each activity might best fit. Having trouble getting your students motivated or focused on what you are trying to teach? I wont tell you what the steps are here; youll have to check the book out for yourself!

There are many great curriculum and activity guides out there to choose from. I would consider this two book set a must have for any nature educator.

— AEOE Connections Newsletter (Summer 2007)

More magic from Joseph Cornell for parents, teachers and children. Nature comes alive by using these hands-on activities evolved from his sensitive strategies. Your spirit is reawakened as these activities reconnect you with the beauty and delicacy of the natural world.

— Juneau Chapter, Natural Audubon Society

Sharing Nature with Children II flows so naturally from Sharing Nature with Children that the two should become companion volumes in every naturalist’s library. Cornell’s Flow Learning is a sound interdisciplinary approach to education, and although useful in any setting, it is particularly applicable to teaching outdoors.

— Vincent Kehoe, Executive Director, Yosemite Institutea

Nature reveals its nurturing and loving qualities when you relate to it with Joseph’s sensitive and joyful methods.

— Duane Toomsen, Department of Education, Iowa

Joseph’s discussion of methods for developing a teaching style where activities build upon one another and feed on people’s curiosity makes this collection of activities especially useful and important.

— Ken Voorhis, Director, Great Smoky Mountains Institute, Great Smoky Mountains National Park

There are lots of handbooks and activity guides for environmental education, but Sharing Nature with Children II brings philosophy and practice to one place.

— Dr. W.J. “Rocky” Rohwedder, Professor of Environmental Education, The California State Univ. Sonoma

Joseph Cornell is one of the most highly regarded nature educators in the world today – He’s the author of three excellent books on the subject of nature education: Sharing Nature With Children, Sharing Nature with Children II, and Listening to Nature. Each is highly recommended to anyone with or without children, who has an interest in exploring the natural world. – ?

— Backpacker Magazine(June 1989)

Joseph Cornell is the author of Sharing Nature With Children and Sharing Nature With Children II. This two volume set showcase nature studies and appreciation activities that any parent, teacher, or child care provider can readily engage in with children. An appreciation for the complex and interrelated life forms that comprise the exosphere of their environments is a solid basis to establish a life-long enthusiasm for nature and the out-of-doors, as well as a lasting commitment to environmental issues and concerns. Each volume is available independently, but school and community libraries are urged to acquire them both for the nature activities and environmental reference collections.

— Midwest Book Review (January 2002)