A New York Times 2018 Holiday Gift Selection Shinrin-yoku is the Japanese practice of seeking a deeper connection with nature by spending intentional time surrounded by trees. Commonly referred to as forest bathing, the meditative practice involves all of our senses and has extraordinary effects on health and happiness. In Shinrin Yoku, Yoshifumi Miyazaki explains the science behind forest bathing and explores the many health benefits, including reduced stress, lower blood pressure, improved mood, and increased focus and energy. This useful guide also teaches you how to bring the benefits of the forest into the home through the use of essential oils, cypress baths, flower therapy, and bonsai. Whether you are exploring a city park, a woodland area, or even the trees in your own backyard, Shinrin Yoku will help you detox from the stress of modern life by opening your eyes to the healing power of trees.

'It is clear that our bodies still recognize nature as our home...' - Yoshifumi Miyazaki 'Forest bathing' or shinrin-yoku is a way of walking in the woods that was developed in Japan in the 1980s. It brings together ancient ways and wisdom with cutting edge environmental health science. Simply put, forest bathing is the practice of walking slowly through the woods, in no hurry, for a morning, an afternoon or a day. It is a practice that involves all the senses and as you gently walk and breathe deeply, the essential oils of the trees are absorbed by your body and have an extraordinary effect on positive feelings, stress hormone levels, parasympathetic nervous activity, sympathetic nervous activity, blood pressure, heart rate and brain activity. In this wonderful book, by the leading expert in the field, science meets nature, as we are encouraged to bathe in the trees and become observers of both the environment around us and the goings on of our own minds.

God only knows what possessed Bill Bryson, a reluctant adventurer if ever there was one, to undertake a gruelling hike along the world's longest continuous footpath—The Appalachian Trail. The 2,000-plus-mile trail winds through 14 states, stretching along the east coast of the United States, from Georgia to Maine. It snakes through some of the wildest and most spectacular landscapes in North America, as well as through some of its most poverty-stricken and primitive backwoods areas. With his offbeat sensibility, his eye for the absurd, and his laugh-out-loud sense of humour, Bryson recounts his confrontations with nature at its most uncompromising over his five-month journey. An instant classic, riotously funny, A Walk in the Woods will add a whole new audience to the legions of Bill Bryson fans.

What can you spot in the woods? This book guides readers on a walk in the woods, gradually introducing clues such as hoof marks and leaf litter on a woodland floor to help them learn more about the diversity of woodland habitats. This title includes stunning photographs, a simple guide on what to wear and take on a walk in the woods, and a detailed glossary.

A field guide designed to get kids out and exploring the woods! This unique, simple nature kit gives kids an accessible, engaging introduction to the woods—and the animals, insects, flora, and rocks that a nature walk will most likely reveal. Since the guide focuses on the most popular North American wildlife, kids will feel instantly rewarded when they spot a chipmunk, sugar maple, or monarch butterfly. The portable, fully illustrated, flexibound guide includes tree-climbing tips, a chart for identifying animal droppings, a feature on edible forest finds, and more. It is packaged in a beautiful treasure box with magnetic closure, complete with compartments for kids’ prized discoveries, such as berries, acorns, and pebbles. Tucked into two of the compartments—and visible though the die-cut frame on the treasure box’s cover—are a mesh collecting bag for mess-free gathering and a magnifying jar for close-up observing.

Looking for fun? Consider it done! This story is about a little boy on a hike with his dad, mom, and Archie, the corgi. With some rhyming and hiking, there's no end to exploring! Great for children ages 2 to 8, this delightful book is full of a child's fun curiosities, adventure, and poetry! This wonderful read will also be separately available in Traditional Chinese and in Simplified Chinese, perfect for children's dual-language learning, and complemented by a free audio reading in Mandarin Chinese. ★ A fantastic Mandarin immersion resource for non-native speakers! ★ Give your child the opportunity to become bilingual! Research shows that learning a second language can boost problem-solving, critical thinking, listening skills, memory, concentration, ability to multitask, and even unlock more career opportunities. There are so many benefits when you start at a young age. All of Katrina Liu's books are intended for non-native speakers and parents interested in fostering the development of dual-language with their children. Each book contains vibrant full-color illustrations, large Chinese characters with Pinyin and English for support. They are written in everyday dialog making it easier for beginner learners to pick up the language. Katrina Liu is an American-born-Chinese mom and author. Her goal is to create beautiful engaging books that support non-native speakers for children and adults alike. Her books include relatable experiences and cultural differences that resonate with modern-day American families which many books from China do not have. ♥ Check out other Mina Learns Chinese books at: minalearnschinese.com Mina’s First Day of School - Mina goes to school for the first time! This book showcases the many ways of saying Yes and No in Chinese. I Love My Grandpa - Mina has an idea for her puppy! Filled with fun and creativity, Mina teams up with her grandpa (her Gong gong) to bring her idea to life! Mina’s Scavenger Hunt - Mina plays an exciting game of scavenger hunt as she searches around her home to collect a list of treasures. This interactive book is a great way to learn common adjectives in Chinese. Mina’s Ups and Downs - It's an exciting day at the carnival with Mina and her parents! With so much to do and see, Mina experiences a rollercoaster of emotions and feelings throughout the day. Let’s go on a hike! - This story is about a little boy on a hike with his dad, mom, and Archie, the corgi. With some rhyming and hiking, there's no end to exploring! I found it! - I found it! is a fun find and seek or look and find book with 12 engaging and colorful scenes. Learn new Chinese vocabulary through this interactive book! Free audio readings in Mandarin Chinese are available at: minalearnschinese.com/audioreading

The Appalachian Trail is America's most beloved trek, with millions of hikers setting foot on it every year. Yet few are aware of the fascinating backstory of the dreamers and builders who helped bring it to life over the past century. The conception and building of the Appalachian Trail is a story of unforgettable characters who explored it, defined it, and captured national attention by hiking it. From Grandma Gatewood--a mother of eleven who thru-hiked in canvas sneakers and a drawstring duffle--to Bill Bryson, author of the best-selling A Walk in the Woods, the AT has seized the American imagination like no other hiking path. The 2,000-mile-long hike from Georgia to Maine is not just a trail through the woods, but a set of ideas about nature etched in the forest floor. This character-driven biography of the trail is a must-read not just for ambitious hikers, but for anyone who wonders about our relationship with the great outdoors and dreams of getting away from urban life for a pilgrimage in the wild.