Back to Nature, how to love life - and save it by Chris Packham and Megan McCubbin. Written in 2020, this book is the work of lockdown and being in nature and thinking about what can be done to save it. It is packed full of personal stories that are interspersed with stories of conservation successes, scientific breakthroughs and up to date research. Most of each chapter is written by Chris in his quick-thinking style, and the research segments are written by Megan, giving the book a lovely dual personality.
"Our wildlife need us, and it needs you more than ever"
Published by Two Roads Find out more here - https://www.chrispackham.co.uk/news/back-to-nature-how-to-love-life-and-save-it
The dandelion's tale. An allegory of migration by Margaret Anne Suggs. The dandelions, just weeds after all, are forced to move on when they are confronted with tools, machines and potions. And so, they float, taking their hopes with them, on a journey to find a peaceful place to reseed and settle.
This is the sort of story that can be read on different levels, and looked at from different perspectives. It's a nice story about dandelions, seeds and growth. But it's also about not being welcome, and having to find a new home, and needing peace to be able to do that.
Published by Graffeg in July 2024 Find out more here - https://graffeg.com/products/the-dandelion-s-tale
How the Whale Became and other stories by Ted Hughes and illustrated by Jackie Morris. Ted Hughes wrote poetry and prose for both adults and children, publishing his first book in 1957, and he was Poet Laureate from 1984. This collection of stories reminds me of the Just So stories or Aesop's fables. Ted Hughes has created a series of short stories best shared aloud, imagining how, when the world was brand new, some of the planet's most iconic animals got their reputation. How did Hare end up so fast and with such long ears? Or Owl only appearing at night? Or Elephant becoming the strongest, wisest and kindest animal of all?
Jackie Morris's beautiful illustrations are perfect for these stories, the animals leap and flow across the pages, as if alive. Interestingly, she writes in the piece below, that reading and re-reading Ted Hughes' stories while working on the art for the book, is one if the things that taught her to write, beginning the process of "becoming" a writer as well as an artist and illustrator. A perfect anecdote to accompany this book, which is as much a collection of artworks, as a collection of stories to tell.
Published by Frances Lincoln in 2008. Find out more here - https://www.jackiemorris.co.uk/book/whale-became/
I've been sent | Ceri and Deri 1 2 3 by Max Low. Revisiting the world of Ceri and Deriwith a bold and simple board book for the very young. Published by Graffeg in Summer 2024 Find out more here - https://graffeg.com/collections/board-books/products/ceri-and-deri-123
Our Bloc, How we Win by James Schneider. This was written during the pandemic in 2020-2021 and published in 2022, and it feels like a lot has happened in the world of politics since then. The book sets out to be a manifesto and call to action for a leftist "bloc" formed from unions, activists, labour members and MPs and more. I think it's a big idea and a big project, but he does give hope and optimism to the idea. I wonder what he would write today, as an addendum, now that we have a labour government and more green MPs, as well as reform MPs, and Trump lurking in the wings. A short book worth reading for the practical ideas of how a leftist movement could emerge, and the four future scenarios for the end of the decade are fascinating. I'm still hopeful for long term thinking and action on poverty, climate, nature and childhood though. Published by Verso. Find out more here - https://www.versobooks.com/en-gb/products/2968-our-bloc
I've been sent | Albert abc by Ian Brown and Eoin Clarke. Revisiting the world of Albert the tortoise and his garden friends in a special abc board book, as they journey through the garden encountering tadpoles, vegetables, a ladybird and all of the ants. Published by Graffeg Summer 2024 Find out more here - https://graffeg.com/collections/board-books/products/albert-abc.
Fletcher's Colours by Julia Rawlinson and Tiphanie Beeke. A lovely board book for the littlest hands, revisiting the world of Fletcher the fox and his friends. Fletcher explores the colours of nature in this beautifully illustrated guide to the colours of the seasons. My favourite - the pink, frothy blossom of Spring. Published by Graffeg Summer 2024 Find out more here - https://graffeg.com/collections/board-books/products/fletchers-colours
The Newborn Child by Jackie Morris. The illustrations from this book were first published in a picture book by Sally Lloyd-James called Little One, we knew you'd come. So, years later, Jackie Morris has rewritten the story, from her own perspective. It's a nativity story but not a nativity story, primarily it's a human story about waiting for a new baby to make their appearance. As usual the illustrations are beautiful, atmospheric and full of feeling. There are the usual angels and donkeys and shepherds, but also the robin, hare, woodpecker, mouse and cat, which we see throughout all of Jackie Morris's art. Ultimately a story of love. Published by Otter-Barrybooks in 2016 Find out more here - https://www.jackiemorris.co.uk/book/the-newborn-child/
Mrs Noah's Pockets by Jackie Morris and illustrated by James Mayhew. Jackie Morris tells on her website of how she and James Mayhew wrote a story for each other to illustrate. He wrote Can you see a little bear? which she illustrated. And she wrote Mrs Noah's Pockets which he illustrated. There are loads of picture books about Mr Noah and his ark, but in this story Mrs Noah is the star. Mr Noah doesn't want to take all the animals on the ark, he wants to leave all the troublesome creatures behind, but Mrs Noah is secretly watching him, having her own ideas. Ideas involving a sewing machine, and a lot of fabric. Mr Noah thinks she making him new curtains.... Once on the ark, Mrs Noah wears a new cloak, with very deep pockets, as she watches the sea, holding her umbrella, but what does she have her pockets? Published by Otter-Barry books in 2017. Find out more here - https://www.jackiemorris.co.uk/book/mrs-noahs-pockets/. Part of my series exploring the writing and painting of Jackie Morris. For more see Instagram @jackiemorrisartist, https://www.jackiemorris.co.uk/ and @JackieMorrisPaints on Facebook.
Mrs Noah's Song by Jackie Morris and illustrated by James Mayhew. The third story in the Mrs Noah picture book series. I love these stories, in which we meet Mrs Noah, the gentle feminist and real hero of the ark. She sings as she works, sews, plants seeds and lulls the children to sleep at night, and she's always busy. And so, she teaches the children to sing, but first, they must learn to really listen, and in Mrs Noah's garden there is so much to hear and pay attention to. Mr Noah makes an enormous hammock so they can all wake up in the garden listening to the birds and the trees, and Mrs Noah sings of course. A gorgeous story of peace and serenity and mindfulness, which is just what we need. And of course beautifully illustrated too, with the sounds flowing through the pages. Published by Otter-Barry in 2022. Find out more here - https://www.otterbarrybooks.com/books/mrs-noah's-song
This is Happy! by Anna Ross and Debi Gliori. I love this one, it combined the gentle yet joyful words of the author with the instantly recognisable illustrations of the award-winning illustrator. Slow down, pause, and find your Happy, it's all around us, and her we find the Happy of five diverse families as they plant, paint, crawl, paddle, notice and breathe. Published by Otter-Barry in 2024 Find out more here - https://www.otterbarrybooks.com/books/this-is-happy!
Mabel and the Big Wide World by Paul Stewart and Jane Porter. Mabel is a little mouse who lives in the barn with her brothers and sisters. The big wide world is full of hairy, scary things amd Mabel vows to stay in the barn forever. But as she watches her brothers and sisters enjoying hebig wide world, she slowly, slowly discovers that the benefits of the big wide world outweigh the sometimes annoying bits and sometimes scary bits. The seasons come and go in this delightful and reassuring book about conquering anxieties and fears. Published by Otter-Barry in 2024. Find out more here - https://www.otterbarrybooks.com/books/mabel-and-the-big-wide-world
Betty's Birthday by Celine Ka Wing Lau. Bold illustrations and big text make this a great book for chatting about what you see. It's Betty's birthday and she's turning six, and we must help her choose an outfit, count the lollies, assemble the party bags and prepare for the party.
Published by Cicada in 2024 Find out more here - https://www.cicadabooks.co.uk/books/p/bettys-birthday
At the Top of the World, the greatest mountains on earth (and how to climb them) by Robin Jacobs and Ed J Brown. This fact book is jam-packed full of facts, and the illustrations are just right, with a slightly retro feel to them. We learn about 8 of the biggest mountains on earth, and for each we learn about the dangers, the history, the people, culture, and the climb itself. Fascinating and perfect for those slightly older children that have so many questions, and want to learn everything about everything - this book will help with that. Published by Cicada in 2024 Find out more here - https://www.cicadabooks.co.uk/books/p/at-the-top-of-the-world
Walking in the Woods (Go back to nature with the Japanese way of shirin-yoku) by Professor Yoshifumi Miyazaki. shirin-yoku means forest bathing, or immersing yourself in the atmosphere of the forest. And you don't have to specifically go forest bathing to do this, just being outdoors and walking near trees brings a myriad of benefits from improving mood and reducing stress to strengthening the immune system.
This book is a really accessible guide to the basics of the healing power of trees, a bit of the science and lots of practical advice and ideas. Published by Octopus Books Find out more here - https://www.octopusbooks.co.uk/titles/yoshifumi-miyazaki/walking-in-the-woods/9781783254149/
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