I first wanted to discover more about play from the amazing experiences and states of joy I have doing it; from sewing, painting and felting. I felt convinced that there was something more to play, it’s not just ‘having fun’ there’s more to it than that. I felt convinced that using my hands in play - meant something (and it turns out it does!)

I bought Play- How it shapes the brain, opens the imagination and invigorates the soul by Stuart Brown (here he is on ABC News when the book was first released).  Although I am interested in children’s play, I wanted to know about play through the ages, adults especially.

Why- because I want more people to experience pure joy through playing as I do!

Part one of the book is all about what play is and why we are built for it. Stuart Brown lays down the scientific facts well and shares stories of animals at play. He doesn’t give a definite definition of play, because it is so varied and I agree when he says it’s ‘best appreciated by experiencing it’.

Part two is all about living the playful life and starts from the very beginning of life and definitions of each kind of play you engross in as a child. It then goes through talking about play from adolescent to adult. As well as the benefits you gain actively playing, what happens when you lose it and how you get it back.

Through the book are pictures after every few chapters of animals and people playing. A quick snippet of play in action, shows what fun is happening without any words.

Someone who is encouraging play, is our new kitten Dynamo, here he is in action!



This book is for anyone who is interested in knowing anything about play from the early years to adults, for anyone who is convinced that there is much bigger meaning about playing, pure enjoyment and using your hands to create.

 If I could, I would quote all the sentences I’ve underlined in this book!

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