Raising Awe-Seekers
How the Science of Wonder Helps Our Kids Thrive
by Deborah Farmer Kris
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Pub Date May 27 2025 | Archive Date Jun 10 2025
Teacher Created Materials | Free Spirit Publishing
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Description
What if helping boost kids’ mental and emotional well-being, strengthen their social ties, and support their curiosity and internal motivation were as simple as rediscovering awe? Through research, interviews, and personal stories, Deborah Farmer Kris explores how awe and wonder can and should be a part of every childhood, and how becoming an awe-seeker can change your life and your parenting in profound and concrete ways.
Plenty of parenting resources speak directly to the concerns facing children and teens, including intense pressure to achieve, how to navigate social media and the online world, struggles with focus and motivation, spiking rates of anxiety and disordered eating, and worries about climate change, political strife, global crises, and local injustices. Rather than focusing on the challenges or telling you how to raise kids, this book, structured around seven of the most common sources of awe identified by Dacher Keltner and other awe researchers, aims to reconnect you with something fundamentally human: the capacity to wonder.
With the curiosity of a reporter and the heart of a parent, and with plenty of humor, and honesty, Farmer Kris breaks down the science of awe, connecting the research to what we know about how kids learn and grow and anchoring it with four of her personal parenting tenets that dovetail with awe-seeking:
- Slow down childhood
- Embrace playtime, downtime, and family time
- Practice radical curiosity
- Become an awe-seeker yourself
In these pages, you’ll hear from experts, and read stories and observations from the author’s experiences as a parent and educator of two decades. Words from other parents and from young people themselves round out the chapters and underline the importance of bending kids’ worlds toward wonder. You’ll also find concrete strategies and resources—from activities to booklists—to help you take what you’ve learned, apply it to your parenting, and share your wonder with your children.
Advance Praise
“Deborah Farmer Kris’s urgently needed book, Raising Awe-Seekers, offers an inspiring roadmap for bringing more awe into your children’s lives and for finding more awe as the caregiver that you are. In this age of anxiety, there is nothing more important for caregivers to do, and no better path than reading this book.”
—Dacher Keltner, professor of psychology at UC Berkeley, author of Awe: The Science of Everyday Wonder and How It Can Transform Your Life
“In Raising Awe-Seekers, Deborah Farmer Kris reminds us that childhood and parenting aren’t just about the daily routines, extracurriculars, sporting events, and appointments that take up so much time and mental energy. She shows us how one of the most enjoyable parts of life is awe and explains many simple ways to spark awe for ourselves and our children. This book is a masterpiece in showing parents how to set an example for their children that awe is a necessary part of living a life filled with joy, curiosity, and wonder.”
—Afsaneh Moradian, author of the Jamie Is Jamie picture book series
“Deborah Farmer Kris’s first parenting book couldn’t come at a better moment. At a time when life feels overwhelming and the future seems more uncertain than ever, Raising Awe-Seekers is the perfect antidote to the confusion, anxiety, and stress we’re all facing. The perspective and practice of wonder is overlooked and underappreciated, and yet it is precisely what every single one of us needs in order to remain hopeful, engaged, compassionate, and resilient. This book is a fantastic read, and the suggested practices are reasonable, doable, and—best of all—fun! I cannot recommend this book highly enough for every parent & human out there.”
—Carla Naumburg, Ph.D., LICSW, author of How to Stop Losing Your Sh*t with Your Kids
“Raising Awe-Seekers is a transformative guide that reminds us of the profound role awe and wonder play in nurturing resilience and connection in our children. Deborah Farmer Kris masterfully weaves personal stories and research to show how fostering a sense of belonging, kindness, and curiosity can strengthen the bond between parents and children. This book beautifully captures the essence of intentional parenting, inspiring us to slow down, embrace the little wonders, and cultivate a joyful family culture. It’s a must-read for anyone looking to deepen their relationship with their child while helping them thrive in an ever-complex world.”
—Bryana Kappadakunnel, author of Parent Yourself First
Available Editions
| EDITION | Paperback |
| ISBN | 9798885549349 |
| PRICE | $16.99 (USD) |
| PAGES | 240 |
