"In A Playful Classroom, Dearybury and Jones demonstrated how play could lead to deeper thinking, improved creativity, and better social-emotional skills. This book builds on that foundation by sharing how play can be an end in itself rather than a means to an end. While the style is playful and approachable, the book is a deep reading, proving that play is actually a very serious topic. The book offers a more expansive view of play, including both a behavior and a mindset. Play is collecting things. Play is building and making. Play is imagination. Play is creative risk-taking. The authors provide practical ideas and strategies you can implement tomorrow."
—John Spencer, Professor/Author

"This book expertly and joyfully allows the reader to engage and learn the benefit of having a 'playful brain and mindset' to face our challenges and overcome obstacles. Playing better at life may be the antidote that lifts folks out of an exhausted existence and into the space of fun, humor, laughter and showing life who's living it."
—Dr. Janet Taylor, Psychiatrist, Author The Courageous Classroom

"Jed and Julie's, The Playful Life, inspires the reader to go beyond the bounds of societal expectations and engage the world joyfully, expressively, and eagerly, returning to us the eyes of a child. With rejuvenated vision, we can see our experiences and communities with a sense of wonder and curiosity about the possibilities, allowing us not just to think, but dream big...AGAIN!"
—Natalia Rosario, Urban Planner

"Play is more important and more necessary than ever, and Julie and Jed are experts on the subject -- and what's more, expert guides to help us all cultivate a more playful approach to life. Stop what you're doing and READ THIS BOOK. I guarantee your future, more playful self will be grateful you did."
—Jarrett Lerner, Author, Illustrator

"What a fun read (which I suppose to be expected from a book about the art of play, but one never knows)!!! No matter who you are, this humorous and informative book will remind you of the importance of play and of the wide-eyed, childlike enthusiasm for life we adults tend to forget. This is the first book I've read that told me to stop reading and go do a spontaneous activity that brings me joy...which inspired me to go do said spontaneous thing, but then immediately return to the book to see what other wonderful advice it held."
—M. Judson Berry, actor/ writer

"Play connects us. Play heals. Play helps us learn. But in modern life, play is a forgotten art, a casualty of our test and work-obsessed culture that isolates us from what makes us human. TPL is an ode to play, written in a heartfelt romp that model's playfulness itself. Jed and Julie teach us that play isn't simply what we do; it’s a mindset we hone, a skill that we sharpen, a habit that we build, and so much more. And whether we're looking to engage life or avoid burnout ourselves, it all begins with the relationship we explore with our own inner child."
—Takeru 'TK' Nagayoshi, 2020 Massachusetts Teacher of the Year

"Hopelessness is chronic, and stress is a silent killer. Due to such painful realities in life, intentionality in healthy mental hygiene has become more imperative now than ever before. In The Playful Life, amazing authors Dr. Julie Jones and Mr. Jed Dearybury serve us up heaping and happy doses of cheerful perspectives, brimming with life-applicable lessons and amusing dashes of hilarity. I felt my world de-stressing with each and every word and I became more playful with every jot and tittle!"
—Marvin Rogers, Author and Wine Industry Executive

"We have evolved to play. It is in our DNA. It is part of our human story since the beginning of time. Without it, our lives long for fullness. As someone who walked away from two decades of a playless life to fully embrace my playful spirit, I strongly encourage you to read this book and join me in living a playful life."
—Darryl Edwards, Founder/CEO Primal Play, author, movement coach

"This book feels like you're having a conversation with two friends while simultaneously learning an immense amount of information in the process. The way Jed and Julie's playful candor helps you take in all that you're reading and digest it. And boy did we eat it up. Highly recommend this book to anyone looking to educate themselves on the importance of play, the importance of self, and the importance of the curious world around you."
—PJ and Thomas McKay

"As an educator and public speaker across the nation, it’s my job to engage people with laughter and learning. At the heart of that work is the power of play. After reading Jed and Julie’s book, I now understand all the more just how important playfulness is to life. Read this asap. You won't regret it!"
—Gerry Brooks, lifetime educator and public speaker