Playful

“We desperately need a more playful world, and Cas Holman knows how to build it. This book is a designer’s delight—it’s full of inspiring ideas for parents, teachers, and anyone who’s curious or fun-loving.”
—Adam Grant, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Hidden Potential and Think Again

“Playful is a radiant and essential book for our anxious age. With wisdom, warmth, and infectious delight, Holman shows us how play—true, inspired, unleashed play—can reverse fear, restore connection, and reignite our creative spark. In a heavy moment of history, this book brings a sense of transcendence. Reading it was not only inspiring; it was joyful.”
—Elizabeth Gilbert, New York Times bestselling author of Big Magic

“Cas Holman has written the book we didn’t know we desperately needed: a permission slip to take play seriously. Playful is a joyful provocation. Holman challenges us to see play not as an escape from the real world but as a way to remake it. This book is as fun to read as it is profound.” —Ingrid Fetell Lee, author of Joyful

“This brilliant book reveals a fundamental, overlooked truth: Play isn’t just for kids! Holman and Denworth make a convincing case that if adults want to thrive, we need to relearn how to play. Insightful, energizing, and inspirational, Playful is a must-read for anyone who wants to bring more joy, creativity, and connection into their life.” —Catherine Price, author of The Power of Fun

“This book is so needed right now! Holman encourages us to find ways to look beyond our everyday routines and find opportunities to bring more lightness and creativity to our lives. This is a must-read guide on how to approach life with a new sense of joy.” —Judson Brewer, MD, PhD, New York Times bestselling author of Unwinding Anxiety

“Play is a powerful tool (and prescription) for emotional resilience and brain health. It boosts dopamine, lowers stress, and builds social connection. Far from frivolous, play enhances creativity and cognitive strength. It’s not a pause from life—but rather its very essence.” —Sue Varma, MD, author of Practical Optimism

“It is a rare treat to read Playful and realize that Cas’s lifelong insights validate my many years of in-depth play research. She has lived by following her own intrinsic motivation from play itself, and here she vividly demonstrates, using her own experiences, how the reader can find permission within themselves to also access their own play natures. No reader can emerge from this book without a new awareness of the importance of immersing themselves in play.”
—Stuart Brown, MD, author of Play

Cas Holman is the founder and chief designer of the toy company Heroes Will Rise and a former Professor of Industrial Design at RISD. Cas travels the globe speaking about early education, the design process, and the value of play in all aspects of life. She has shared her perspective in workshops and seminars with teams at Google, Nike, LEGO Foundation, Disney Imagineering, and more. Some of her designs include toys like Rigamajig and structures at the Highline and the Liberty Science center. Cas lives in New York City and designs from her studio in Brooklyn.

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