Book cover of "Raising Awe Seekers: How the Science of Wonder Helps Our Kids Thrive" by Deborah Farmer Kris, featuring colorful abstract background.

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.

With the curiosity of a reporter and the heart of a parent, and with plenty of humor, and honesty, 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.

Why I Wrote This Book

"Raising Awe-Seekers" book cover with endorsement
Promotional image for the book 'Raising Awe-Seekers' by Deborah Farmer Kris. Features a quote praising the book by Carla Naumburg, Ph.D., LICSW, describing it as an antidote to confusion, anxiety, and stress. The quote emphasizes the importance of wonder for remaining hopeful and resilient. The background is pink with publishing details at the bottom.
Cover of the book 'Raising Awe Seekers' with a quote by Bryana Kappadakunel praising it for capturing the essence of intentional parenting. Published by Free Spirit Publishing.
Smiling woman with blonde hair wearing a black top, standing against a wooden background.

About the Author

Deborah Farmer Kris is a child development expert and the author of "Raising Awe-Seekers: How the Science of Wonder Helps Our Kids Thrive,” the I See You board book series, and the All the Time picture book series.

Her bylines include CNN, PBS KIDS, NPR’s Mindshift, The Washington Post, the Boston Globe Magazine, and Oprah Daily.

Deborah is currently an expert advisor for the PBS KIDS show, “Carl the Collector,” and spent 20+ years as a K-12 educator. Mostly, she loves sharing nuggets of practical wisdom that can make the parenting journey a little easier.