The Open Air Life

A complete guide to Friluftsliv, the Nordic secret to unplugging and connecting more deeply with nature. In The Open-Air Life, Swedish-American writer Linda McGurk introduces readers to a wide array of Nordic customs and practices that focus on slowing down and spending more and more of ones’ time outdoors. An outdoorsy cousin of hygge, friluftsliv is what Nordic people do outside all day before they cozy up in front of the fireplace with their wool socks on and a cup of hot cocoa. From the pleasures of foraging for wild berries and birding to how to stay warm and cozy outside in the middle of winter, this charmingly illustrated, inspirational guide shows readers how to harness the power-of-nature to improve their physical and mental health, as well as their relationships with both other people and Mother Nature. Readers will learn: Why and how they should spend more time outside How to use friluftsliv to combat stress, anxiety disorders, depression, and burnout Practical skills like making fire, cooking outdoors and cleaning water on the go. For country and city lovers alike, this book will serve as an essential guide to slowing down in this modern, fast paced society and connecting with the natural world.

Bringing Up Bébé meets Last Child in the Woods in this “fascinating exploration of the importance of the outdoors to childhood development” (Kirkus Reviews) from a Swedish-American mother who sets out to discover if the nature-centric parenting philosophy of her native Scandinavia holds the key to healthier, happier lives for her American children. Could the Scandinavian philosophy of “There’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothes” hold the key to happier, healthier lives for American children? When Swedish-born Linda Åkeson McGurk moved to Indiana, she quickly learned that the nature-centric parenting philosophies of her native Scandinavia were not the norm. In Sweden, children play outdoors year-round, regardless of the weather, and letting babies nap outside in freezing temperatures is common and recommended by physicians. Preschoolers spend their days climbing trees, catching frogs, and learning to compost, and environmental education is a key part of the public-school curriculum. In the US, McGurk found the playgrounds deserted, and preschoolers were getting drilled on academics with little time for free play in nature. And when a swimming outing at a nearby creek ended with a fine from a park officer, McGurk realized that the parenting philosophies of her native country and her adopted homeland were worlds apart. Struggling to decide what was best for her family, McGurk embarked on a six-month journey to Sweden with her two daughters to see how their lives would change in a place where spending time in nature is considered essential to a good childhood. Insightful and lively, There’s No Such Thing as Bad Weather is a fascinating personal narrative that illustrates how Scandinavian culture could hold the key to raising healthy, resilient, and confident children in America.

Friluftsliv is an approach to creating a relationship between humans and nature. Nature First explores ways of applying this wisdom to everyday out-of-doors life.

Reprint of the original, first published in 1862.

Whereas the popular Danish philosophy of hygge espouses the joys of turning your home into a cosy sanctuary, the Norwegian concept of friluftsliv encourages us to get out into the great outdoors. However, friluftsliv - or 'free air life' - means much more than going on camping trips; it reflects an innate understanding of the basic human need to connect with the natural world. Rather than seeking to conquer nature - climb the highest mountain, for example - it is about simply spending time with nature and finding harmony with its rhythms. In Norway, even city dwellers are never far from fjords, parks, and woodland, but this book explains how anyone can enter a friluftsliv state of mind, make the most of their outdoor opportunities and reap the benefits for their mental, physical and spiritual wellbeing.

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER LONGLISTED FOR THE 2021 BOOKER PRIZE NAMED A BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR BY THE NEW YORK TIMES, THE GLOBE AND MAIL, THE GUARDIAN, ESQUIRE, VOGUE, TIME, THE WASHINGTON POST, THE TIMES (UK), VULTURE, THE ECONOMIST, NPR, AND BOOKRIOT ON PRESIDENT OBAMA’S SUMMER 2021 READING LIST The magnificent new novel from Nobel laureate Kazuo Ishiguro--author of Never Let Me Go and the Booker Prize-winning The Remains of the Day. “The Sun always has ways to reach us.” From her place in the store, Klara, an Artificial Friend with outstanding observational qualities, watches carefully the behaviour of those who come in to browse, and of those who pass in the street outside. She remains hopeful a customer will soon choose her, but when the possibility emerges that her circumstances may change forever, Klara is warned not to invest too much in the promises of humans. In Klara and the Sun, Kazuo Ishiguro looks at our rapidly changing modern world through the eyes of an unforgettable narrator to explore a fundamental question: what does it mean to love?

Originally published in 1930, this book is an exhaustively detailed manual of instruction and advice on how to build a scout troop. Many of the earliest books, particularly those dating back to the 1900s and before, are now extremely scarce and increasingly expensive. Hesperides Press are republishing these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions, using the original text and artwork. Contents Include The Architects Training: How Scouting Began. the Architects Designs: What Scouting Means. The Foundations of the Building: Scout Law. Beginning to Build: Tools ''Opened or Controlled''. Materials to Use: Practices. Beams and Girders: Individuality, Discipline. Assistance in Building: Parents, Church, School. Laying the First Courses: Tender Foot Tests, Investiture. Working to Plan: Outdoor Atmosphere. Adding Another Storey: Second-Class Tests. Roofing the Building: First Class Tests. Decorating: Badges, Handcrafts. Housekeeping: Records, Finance. The Domestic Staff: Scoutmaster, Assistant Scoutmaster, Troop Leader. The Family: Individual Scouts, Boy Nature. The Family Grows up: Looking Ahead, Employment. Annual Repairs: Troop Headquarters, Furnishing Gear. Entertainment: Rallies, Concerts. The Garden: Scouting and Religion, Church Parades. The Out-Of-Doors: Open-air-Scouting. Summer Holidays: Camping. Town and Country: Town Troops. The View from the Windows: Scouter's, Training, Brotherhood

Nature First combines the Scandinavian approach to creating a relationship with nature (known as friluftsliv) with efforts by Canadian and international educators to adapt this wisdom and apply it to everyday life experiences in the open air. The word friluftsliv literally refers to "free-air life" or outdoor life. A word saturated with values, the concept can permeate deeply and playfully into ones cultural being and personal psyche, thus influencing the way one perceives and interacts with nature on a daily basis. For centuries, the North American approach has been one of domination and bringing nature under control, in many cases abusing our natural environment in the process. The friluftsliv way of being on "talking terms with nature," developing an "insider’s" relationship with nature, offers the rich potential of allowing us as cohabiters on the Earth to recreate, rejuvenate and restore the balance among all living things. Nature First is the first English-language anthology to bring together the perspectives and experiences of North American, Norwegian, Swedish and other international outdoor writers, all friluftsliv thinkers and doers. Here, the thirty contributors’ use of history, sociology, psychology, philosophy and outdoor education writings blend to provide an understanding of how friluftsliv applies to everyday life. The book presents an alternative to much of the personal growth/adventure-based literature that tends to dominate our current approach to the outdoor activity. Folklore, heritage, adventure travel, crafts, place-based education and the daily outings of families all have a role to play in promoting an understanding of both the ordinary and the mystical importance of this Nordic tradition. Dedicated to parents, travel guides, educators and generally to participants in the outdoors, Nature First provides a compellingly fresh approach to life in the out-of-doors.