• “Any reader drawn to the outdoors will cherish Every Natural Fact and its author's sensual intelligence potted in the fertile soil of a boundless curiosity for the world. Amy Lou Jenkins is the Anna Quindlen of the north woods, the Rachel Carson of the good land of Wisconsin, bequeathing to her son and to all of us an indestructible sense of wonder.”  — Bob Shacochis, National Book Award-winning author of Easy in The Islands and The Immaculate Invasion

•"Braiding together history, memoir, gentle parenting guidance, and superb nature writing, Jenkins' prose illuminates the details of ordinary life."—Susan Cheever, author of American Bloomsbury

•Wisconsin's wild areas become the world in extraordinary debut by Amy Lou Jenkins'.  Every Natural Fact is nothing less than sensational.— Pamela Miller, Minneapolis Star Tribune.

•"If you combined the lyricism of Annie Dillard, the vision of Aldo Leopold, and the gentle but tough-minded optimism of Frank McCourt, you might come close to Amy Lou Jenkins, a writer who obliterates the distinction between regional writing and actual, honest-to-god writing. I, for one, would follow her anywhere."—Tom Bissell, author of The Father of All Things 

•"What makes this book such a marvel is the way the human and the non-human are kept in perfect balance: the psychological dance of a mother and son, with all its funny, touching, realistic two-steps, intersects with the desire to be opened up to the mystery and rapture of the natural sublime.  It is a splendid fusion, as much about parenting and education and generation gaps as it is about patient observation of landscapes in flux. Jenkins' polished literary style makes it, sentence by sentence, a joy to read."— Phillip Lopate, author of Waterfront  and The Art of the Personal Essay

•"Amy Lou Jenkins writes with complexity about the dance human beings do with nature, and with one another...She puts together pieces of history, natural history, and parenting to make a touching and memorable whole. The whole thing rings true." —Michael Finley, judge of the Ellis Henderson Outdoor Writing Award.

•"Her vivid imagery mixes a naturalist's precision with a spiritual seeker's poetry." –Robert Wake, author and editor of Cambridge Book Review Press and co-judge for the X.J. Kennedy Award for Nonfiction.

•"Every generation has needed an Aldo Leopold or Thoreau to waken us from the weariness of the day-by-day. Amy Lou Jenkins is our John Muir and we never needed what she does more" —John Lehman's full review

•Patricia Ellis Herr writes,   "Jenkins writes beautifully and brilliantly. As a resident of mountainous New Hampshire, I never thought I'd be interested in the lands of Wisconsin, but Jenkins's lush descriptions of her state's natural habitats instill a deep appreciation for those beloved meadows, marshes and woodlands. She is a gifted writer; her narrative is rich and detailed."

Every Natural Act: Five Seasons of Open-Air Parenting by Amy Lou Jenkins (Holy Cow! Press, $14.95): Wisconsinite Jenkins holds an MFA in creative writing from Bennington College, and it shows in this intimate account of how she used nature to talk to her daughter and son about everything from freedom of speech to overpopulation. From trips to the Wisconsin Dells to watching eagles at Prairie du Chien, Jenkins wants her children to see the world through a natural prism.

•Always Jenkins is introspective, as when she shares with readers her thoughts as she looks at herself after 40: “I will do no more to propel my genes into the future through childbirth. The biologic drive to reproduce and raise children is essential to survival of the species, but it is a worthless effort without a healthy planet. My purpose is to nourish the earth, to point my descendants to a way and a land where they may thrive.”  — Mary Ann Grossmann  of the Twin Cities Pioneer Press

•"Jenkins cites her Grandpa Ed as the font of her vast knowledge of Wisconsin flora and fauna, but it is her turn of phrase that makes this knowledge captivating to both D.J. and the reader"— Wisconsin People and Ideas

•"Ratings that go above and beyond the standard five stars should be made specially available for books like this. Magnificent. Beautiful. Intelligent. Thoughtful."— 5 Minutes for Books

•"This is a rich book, reflective of an active and thoughtful intellect." —Susan Schoch, Story Circle Book Reviews 
reviewing books by, for, and about women

•"With a nod to the powerful spiritual roots that we all share, Every Natural Fact is a poignant reminder that we best enhance our own individual growth and development by maintaining a healthy deference to the inherent wisdom that lies within us all. An enlightening, spiritually fulfilling read." —Read the full Apex review and press release 

•"The history, the stories, her love of nature and her family come through in these wonderful essays." — Fran Lewis' Reviews.

•"I am happy to say that Every Natural Fact now has a home next to A Sand County Almanac on my bookshelf!" —TCM Book Reviews

•"I think every parent should read Every Natural Fact.  In this world of “go, go, go” we need to be reminded to pause, reflect, and soak in the important moments with our family."  —Marissa Libbit for Reader Views

•"I think that's what I like about Jenkins' book the most - the fact that she weaves her son's nature lessons into their Wisconsin nature walks as easily as she might slip a sandwich into his lunch.  But don't be led astray by the ease and grace with which she writes about these five seasons with her son.  Each walk into the woods may be a teaching moment, but each is also a time of asking profound questions." —Page Lambert

•"A great read" Whispering Winds Book Reviews

•"Each chapter involves a particular topic or excursion, and each chapter is peppered with flashbacks and insights into Jenkins' own childhood or not-too-distant past. Jenkins weave’s philosophy, history, local folklore, and religion throughout her narrative; the mix works, it contributes to the text's intimacy and deepens the overall scope. In addition, her sentences are just plain beautiful." — Patricia Ellis Herr, author of Up: A Mother and Daughter's Peakbagging Adventure

•How does a parent connect with an 11-year-old boy who is leaving childhood behind and beginning to define himself in a media and consumer-dominated world? “Open-air parenting” is the inspired answer of how to create that connection in nature, both with words and silence. Amy Lou Jenkins and her son DJ share extraordinary time together – unhurried, essential and sacred. Jenkins’ book, Every Natural Fact: Five Seasons of Open-Air Parenting, chronicles their mother-son adventures along the less traveled paths of Wisconsin. As you walk along with mom and son, you’ll hear the insights of a seasoned naturalist written as a call-to-awareness for the novice.

Renowned early childhood educator, Magda Gerber, once said in the RIE Manual for Parents and Professionals that “all you teach is yourself”. That is exactly what Jenkins accomplishes with “open-air parenting”. She shares what she loves the most, her own personal story, her love of words and questions – her deepest, richest, beautiful self. She does it all for her son so that he may grow and understand himself and the world. And, for all of its seriousness, Jenkins makes it fun for DJ and for her readers.

Every Natural Fact captures the depth and breadth of parenting as it stretches across lives and across generations. Historic rock formations and ancient birdsongs create a unique time-scape that slows the frantic pace of modern parenting. After reading this book, it’s hard to imagine looking for quick-fix parenting solutions in an instant gratification world. Tales of grandparents and even the changing stages of motherhood refigure the images of good parenting. All you have to do is: Walk more. Listen more. Share more. Love more.

Much like the words of John Muir quoted by Jenkins, Every Natural Fact is “a love lesson, not whipped but charmed into us.” Bravo,  Amy Lou Jenkins for this touching tribute to slow, authentic parenting!  Every Natural Fact: Five Seasons of Open-Air Parenting  / Rating: 5 Stars /  Karen Deerwester, Parenting Examiner