This book proves why play just might be the most important work we can ever do.
by Stuart Brown, M.D.
We have all seen the happiness on the face of a child while playing or the blissful abandon of a golden retriever racing across a lawn. This is the joy of play.
By definition, play is purposeless, all-consuming and fun. But as Brown illustrates, play is anything but trivial. It is a biological drive as integral to our health as sleep or nutrition. We are designed by nature to flourish through play.
Brown has spent his career studying animal behavior and conducting more than 6,000 “play histories” of humans from all walks of life.
Backed by the latest research, he explains why play is essential to our social skills, adaptability, intelligence, creativity, ability to problem-solve and more. In tough times, we need to play more than ever, as it is the very means by which we prepare for the unexpected, search out new solutions and remain optimistic.
A fascinating blend of cutting-edge neuroscience, biology, psychology, social science and inspiring human stories of the transformative power of play, this book proves why play just might be the most important work we can ever do.
$16 — Avery, a member of Penguin Group, 375 Hudson St., New York, NY 10014.
Reprinted from AzNetNews, Volume 29, Number 2, April/May 2010.
April 14, 2012
Book review