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The Sense of Wonder Audiobook
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(4.04) - 394 listener ratings
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“If a child is to keep alive his inborn sense of wonder, 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…If I had influence with the good fairy who is supposed to preside over the christening of all children, I should ask that her gift to each child in the world be a sense of wonder so indestructible that it would last throughout life.”—Rachel Carson
First published more than three decades ago, this award-winning classic brings Rachel Carson’s unique vision to a new generation of readers. The Sense of Wonder relates Carson’s 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. It is a refreshing antidote to indifference and a guide to capturing the simple power of discovery that Carson views as essential to life.
The Sense of Wonder is a timeless volume that will be passed on from parent to child to grandchild, as treasured as the memory of an early morning walk when the song of a bird was heard as if for the first time.
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"One of the most beautiful books I've ever read. It was originally published as an article, so it is short and simple, yet every description says so much that it really doesn't need to be any longer (though I would probably love it even more if it was). It is geared towards parents and care-givers, neither of which applies to me, but since I see quotes from the book online all the time, and use the quotes often myself, I wanted to read the the entire piece. Her descriptions of nature are so gorgeous that it is impossible not to feel overwhelmed with wonder after reading it. I now want to read everything she has ever written."
— Kelly (5 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
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“If a child is to keep alive his inborn sense of wonder, 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.”
— Rachel Carson -
“If I had influence with the good fairy who is supposed to preside over the christening of all children, I should ask that her gift to each child in the world be a sense of wonder so indestructible that it would last throughout life.”
— Rachel Carson -
“In The Sense of Wonder, Carson appeals to our senses, urging us to savor the natural world with a childs excitement, the true instinct for what is beautiful and awe inspiring.”
— CNN Entertainment -
“Carson’s words are timely.”
— Amazon.com, editorial review
The Sense of Wonder Listener Reviews
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" beautiful photographs of nature, with commentary on how it needs to be shared with our children "
— Kathy, 2/11/2014 -
" Absolutely beautiful. It made me think of who gave me my sense of wonder in the natural world and how I could pass that on to my children. It also started me thinking about where I can find more of that wonder here in a much more manicured setting than where I grew up. I vowed to be much more creative and get out more. An excellent book. "
— Samantha, 2/6/2014 -
" I love this book. It is beautifully written and a great lesson for adults in helping our children and ourselves to hold on to the Sense of Wonder. "
— Emily, 2/5/2014 -
" A very short memoir that Ms Carson intended to expand but death came before she could. She describes her days and weeks on the Maine seashore and the wonder she felt examining rocks, sand, crabs, stars, clouds. She tries to instill in the reader the responsibility adults have to help children discover the wonder around them. I wish I had read it as a young father. This book is hard to find, but, Amazon has it a paper back and Kindle. "
— Richard, 1/14/2014 -
" When my children were younger, this was one of their favorites. "
— Patty, 1/11/2014 -
" An enjoyable book -- a reminder to stop and see (and smell and listen to) the wonders of life that we pass by without notice each day. It took all of about 20 minutes to read. "
— John, 1/6/2014 -
" I found one copy of this book through the Toronto Public Library, I love the beauty of nature, just walking around and taking in the wonder of it. I read this while I was expecting my first little one and imagined all the adventures I would one day take her on. This book reminds you of the beauty of the simplicity of nature as well as it's vast awesomeness. A classic, specially for lovers of nature. "
— Tamar, 1/6/2014 -
" Another lovely reminder of how much strength is derived from apprehending the beauty of the natural world. Everything I read these days seems to contain lessons in trusting intuitive understanding and relying less on the charging mind. I acutely feel my disconnection from nature in the lifestyle I lead on a daily basis and when I read accounts such as this, hope awakens in me that I can find ways, for the rest of my life, to bridge that gap and satisfy the sense of wonder that for all my dislocation has never been lost. "
— Jess, 1/4/2014 -
" Quick read. Nice photos. Sweet book. "
— Callee, 1/2/2014 -
" I read Rachel Carson over and over. Her science is so sound and her appreciation of beauty in nature is astounding. "
— Anne, 12/16/2013 -
" We went to Phipps last week and there were beautiful quotes from this book all through the displays. They inspired me to get the book and read the whole thing myself. "
— Nicki, 12/7/2013 -
" Fantastic compilation after Carson's death of her most beloved work. "
— Natalie, 12/4/2013 -
" What a gorgeous collection of photos paired with the poetry of science as only Rachel Carson can create. A seriously beutiful book. "
— Baley, 9/21/2013 -
" Bring out the childhood sense of wonder in all of us for nature. "
— Don, 3/2/2013 -
" A stunningly beautiful book with a message for all times and ages. One to be savored alone or shared with our children. "
— Diane, 2/12/2013 -
" what a beautiful book! a must-read for parents about instilling in your child a sense of curiosity and mystery about the world. "
— Christy, 10/17/2012 -
" Short but beautiful. Any environmental educator should read it as should parents who are interested in connecting their family with nature. Ms. Carson was a lovely, lovely writer. Wish she could have been with us longer. "
— Lucas, 7/18/2012 -
" I really loved this book, both the pictures and the essays. Great book to read when spring is just around the corner. "
— Tanya, 2/12/2012 -
" Just picked this up from the hold shelf! "
— Meredith, 11/13/2011 -
" This was a charming, inspiring essay! "
— Tara, 4/16/2011 -
" Living as trees and winds is one of my faith. We will never be able to live without natural environment surrounding us no matter how the technology will be advanced. Let's learn from Nature. "
— Tomoki, 3/31/2011 -
" Rachel Carson's A Sense of Wonder is an apt title. The book is short and concerns a sense of wonder about nature and ways to instill that in a child. Well worth the read! "
— James, 3/18/2011 -
" A very short read with a few good ideas about getting yourself and your young people out into nature. "
— Michelle, 12/20/2010 -
" beautiful photographs of nature, with commentary on how it needs to be shared with our children "
— Kathy, 12/10/2010 -
" Beautiful photographs and thoughts about children and nature <br/> "
— Lernstsims, 8/15/2010 -
" Short but beautiful. Any environmental educator should read it as should parents who are interested in connecting their family with nature. Ms. Carson was a lovely, lovely writer. Wish she could have been with us longer. "
— Lucas, 6/13/2010 -
" Excellent essay advocating teaching methods and ideas of nature that we don't hear of so much anymore. "
— Barbara, 2/2/2010 -
" This was a charming, inspiring essay! "
— Tara, 8/7/2009 -
" Living as trees and winds is one of my faith. We will never be able to live without natural environment surrounding us no matter how the technology will be advanced. Let's learn from Nature. "
— Tomoki, 7/4/2009 -
" Just picked this up from the hold shelf! "
— Meredith, 6/16/2009 -
" I really loved this book, both the pictures and the essays. Great book to read when spring is just around the corner. "
— Tanya, 3/13/2009 -
" More poetry than essay. This book inspires to share the nature of wonder with children and to allow yourself to be inspired. "
— Kelly, 12/24/2008 -
" To read over and over and over...<br/>This is one of my all time favorites. "
— Courtney, 12/20/2008 -
" Fantastic compilation after Carson's death of her most beloved work. "
— Natalie, 12/3/2008 -
" This lovingly written book is absolutely stunning. It is quite possibly the most beautiful book I have ever read. Both the language and message of the story have me in tears and feeling so grateful to have found this treasure. "
— Kitty, 8/3/2008
About Rachel L. Carson
Rachel Carson (1907–1964) was an American marine biologist, conservationist, and author. After pursuing writing full-time, she was awarded the US National Book Award and helped to inspire a reversal of national pesticide policy, leading to the ban of DDT and other pesticides. She was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by Jimmy Carter and is credited with beginning the environmental movement that led to the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency.
About Kaiulani Lee
Kaiulani Lee has thirty-five years of experience in theater, film, and television, and has starred in over a dozen plays on and off Broadway. She has been nominated for the Drama Desk Award on Broadway and has won the Obie Award for outstanding achievement off Broadway.