Kith

Kith

The Riddle of the Childscape

Summary

From Jay Griffiths, the author of the award-winning Wild comes a passionate polemic defence of childhood

'Her work isn't just good -- it's necessary' Philip Pullman

In Kith, Jay Griffiths seeks to discover why we deny our children the freedoms of space, time and the natural world.

Visiting communities as far apart as West Papua and the Arctic, as well as the UK, and delving into history, philosophy, language and literature, she explores how children's affinity for nature is an essential and universal element of childhood.

It is a journey deep into the heart of what it means to be a child, and it is central to all our experiences, young and old.

'An impassioned, visionary plea to restore to our children the spirit of adventure, freedom and closeness to nature that is their birthright. We must hear it and act on it before it is too late' Iain McGilchrist

'Jay Griffiths writes with such richness and mischief about the one thing that could truly save the world: its children'
KT Tunstall

Reviews

  • Griffiths' understanding of how it feels to be a child is extraordinary, and her writing is as vivid as poetry
    Mail on Sunday

About the author

Jay Griffiths

Jay Griffiths is the author of Tristimania: A Diary of Manic Depression, Wild: An Elemental Journey; Pip Pip: A Sideways Look at Time; A Love Letter from a Stray Moon and Kith: The Riddle of the Childscape. She won the Barnes and Noble Discover Award for the best new non-fiction writer in the USA, and the Orion Book Award. She has also been shortlisted for the Orwell Prize and a World Book Day award.
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