Dr. Dale Atkins is the author of children's book Dear Deer. I had a chance to get Dr. Atkins' perspectives on the importance of children spending time in nature with this interview.
The inspiration for Dear Deer came from a real experience. One late afternoon, while walking in a nearby park, I encountered a distressed doe whose fawn was trapped in a pond as the tide was rising. Watching the situation unfold reminded me how connected we are to the natural world and how important it is to observe carefully before acting. That experience stayed with me and inspired a story about curiosity, compassion, patience, and learning how to help wildlife respectfully.
I wanted to turn this experience into a children's story because I believe these are qualities children need now more than ever. Curiosity, empathy, patience, and thoughtful action are important life skills, and what better teacher than nature? The natural world offers endless opportunities for children to observe, ask questions, solve problems, and develop a deeper understanding of both wildlife and themselves.
Why is it important for kids to have books that encourage exploration and observation of nature?
Children are spending more time indoors and on screens than ever before. Books that encourage exploration and observation help children slow down, pay attention, ask questions, and engage their senses. Nature nurtures curiosity, creativity, empathy, independence, and resilience. When children learn to notice the world around them, they develop a deeper connection to nature and a greater appreciation for their place within it.
Reading itself is one of the most important activities for a child’s development, especially in the early years. When adults read aloud with children, they build vocabulary, language skills, listening comprehension, and a lifelong love of books. Shared reading also creates meaningful opportunities for conversation, questions, and connection. Research consistently shows that children who are read to regularly are better prepared for school and are more likely to become confident, successful readers later in life.
Books about nature offer an especially rich experience because they encourage children to take what they learn on the page and apply it in the world around them. Reading with a parent, grandparent, teacher, or caregiver can spark curiosity and inspire children to explore outdoors, observe wildlife, and ask thoughtful questions. By combining the benefits of reading aloud with opportunities for nature discovery, we help young children develop strong literacy skills while fostering wonder, learning, and a lasting connection to the natural world.
How can families who live in urban areas incorporate nature discovery?
Nature is everywhere if we take the time to notice it, and time spent with children in nature is incredibly important, no matter where you live. Families can explore local parks, community gardens (activate the senses), waterfronts, riverbanks, ponds or fountains to see ducks, fish, insects, reflections and to ponder the moving water, and even exploring the tufts of grass that grown in sidewalks or along neighborhood streets. Nature discovery can be as simple as going outside to watch the clouds drift by (imagining shapes and stories in the clouds), feeling the wind on your face, observing how a tree changes through the seasons, noticing the colors of a sunset, or looking up at the night sky to find the moon and stars.
Children can watch birds from a window, observe a squirrel eating an acorn, look for insects, notice how plants growing in surprising places, or pay attention to how bushes and flowers change with the seasons. Families can grow herbs on a windowsill, take a walk, and notice what is blooming, or simply sit quietly and observe the world around them.
The goal is not to travel far or visit a wilderness area. It is to slow down, be present, and cultivate curiosity and wonder about the living world that surrounds us every day. Children do not need wilderness to connect with nature. They need opportunities to notice. A dandelion pushing through a sidewalk crack, a squirrel gathering acorns, a pigeon caring for its young, or a sunset reflected in a city window can all become invitations to wonder. Those small moments of observation help children build a meaningful connection with nature that can last a lifetime.
Dale Atkins is a licensed psychologist, educator, storyteller and nature enthusiast with more than forty years of experience focusing on families, wellness, managing stress, and living a balanced, meaningful life. Author of nine books and many chapters, articles, and journals for popular and professional audiences, Dale is a featured speaker who lectures and leads seminars worldwide. Dale has appeared regularly on NBC’s TODAY and CNN. She has a private psychology practice in New York City and has been a member of, and advisor to several nonprofit boards, including Jumpstart for Young Children. She holds a B.S. in Social Studies from NYU, an M.A. in Special Education (Deafness) from Columbia University’s Teachers College, and a Ph.D. from UCLA in Educational Psychology. She and her husband have two children and six grandchildren and live in Connecticut. Early in 2026, Dr. Dale Atkins published her debut children’s book, The Turquoise Butterfly—a tender, award-winning story that celebrates the deep bond between a grandmother and granddaughter. Through its gentle narrative, the book helps children and families navigate anxiety, grief, and change with reassurance and hope. Her more recent title, Dear Deer, released in June of 2026 - reflecting her enduring belief in the healing power of story, the wisdom of nature, and the lasting strength of intergenerational connection.
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