The Democracy of Species by Robin Wall Kimmerer, Penguin Green Ideas series number 10. The author is a botanist and member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation, and in these chapters taken from her book Braiding Sweetgrass, she cleverly blends indigenous teachings with er scientific knowledge and experience. In her native language (it ss dying out, she is trying to learn it, it is very complex) all animate beings are equal, so the language talks about trees as alive, as well as all the animals and plants. In this way, through generations, all animate life is respected as a giver and a receiver in a reciprocal relationship - human life cannot exist without the oxygen and food produced by plants, plants cannot exist without the carbon dioxide that we expire and the energy from the sun. The connection is deep, thanking plants for giving us food and so on. As she says "the breath of plants gives life to animals and the breath of animals gives life to plants". So simple, and so obvious, and the one reason to restore humanity's connection to nature as we must restore the degraded land and water. We know the science, we just need the wisdom to apply it. And perhaps we also need to start looking at the world from the perspective of all other life, putting ourselves in the shoes of the animals and plants, thinking, reflecting a gaining wisdom. Published by Penguin Books. Find out more here - https://www.penguin.co.uk/series/GRNIDEA/green-ideas
There's a ghost in this House by Oliver Jeffers. A picture book, a joy to share with children, and also a piece of art so cleverly made, which surprises as each page is turned. Captivating, unique and beautiful.
"Hello. Please come in. I haven't had visitors for quite a while. Perhaps you could help me?"
Published by Harper Collins Find out more here - https://www.oliverjeffers.com/theres-a-ghost-in-this-house
Notes on Nationalism by George Orwell. A little book in the Penguin Modern series. The author reflects on Nationalism v patriotism, prejudice and power. As with all of his nonfiction his attention to detail and his thoughtful reflection comes through in spades. Much of what he says is still relevant, especially now, with the rise of far right nationalism, and shout-the-loudest politics - a "politics of fear, hatred, jealousy and power worship", when, as Orwell puts it, "the sense of reality becomes unhinged". Moving away from these tendencies takes, as Orwell says "a moral effort", and in my words, a move towards empathy and kindness. Engagement in politics is essential, even if just in the widest (wisest?) sense...we recognise our biases, accept and work through them, and hopefully make the world a better place.
And, it made me think I must read 1984 this year.
Published by Penguin in 2018. Find out more here - https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/308587/notes-on-nationalism-by-orwell-george/9780241339565
Tribune issue 21 - another packed issue of the socialist journal. A fascinating piece gives us yet another reason to boycott Amazon - they have been "pouring billions into Israel, contributing to illegal settlement programmes and the relentless surveillance of Palestinians". There are also articles on trade unionism in the gig economy, whether the labour party can step up and tackle the myth of continuous growth, and a brilliant piece about the role of Tribune magazine and the fight for gay rights since before the second world war. And a great interview with the film director Ken Roach who's making his last film aged 82.
And did you know Google are building a skyscraper bigger than the Shard near King's cross?
Published by tribune publishing limited Find out more here - https://tribunemag.co.uk/
Sparkle and Spin, a book about words by Ann and Paul Rand. First published in 1957, this picture book was designed by Paul Rand who was one of the most influential and groundbreaking American graphic designers of the twentieth century. What are words...things you can draw or hear or see, they're names of things, and people, they say what you do, and they bring you the news. All that and more, bringing words to life.
Published by Chronicle Books Find out more here - https://www.paulrand.design/writing/books/sparkle-and-spin.html
The Life and Rhymes of Benjamin Zephaniah, The Autobiography. Ramblings, anecdotes and stories of an interesting life, which sadly ended too soon. You can hear his lyrical and rhythmic voice as you read the book. A performance poet, activist, playwright, author and vegan, who broke away from a seemingly inevitable path of drugs and crime. We need more humans like this in the world. Makes me regret we never got to see him perform his poetry live.
Published by Simon and Schuster. Find out more here - https://www.waterstones.com/book/the-life-and-rhymes-of-benjamin-zephaniah/benjamin-zephaniah/9781471168956
The Hill we Climb, an Inaugural Poem by Amanda Gorman. Read at the inauguration of President Biden in 2021, by the author, who was the youngest presidential inaugural poet in American history, and is an activist and advocate for the environment, racial justice and gender equality. The poem offers us hope, courage and the inspiration to be a changemaker. Published by Penguin Books. Find out more here - https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/445959/call-us-what-we-carry-by-gorman-amanda/9781529924602
Christopher Nibble (in a tale of dandelion derring-do) by Charlotte Middleton. Christopher Nibble is a Guinea pig, living in Dandeville with all the other Guinea pigs, and they love dandelions. So much that the dandelions of Dandeville are getting scarce. Can Christopher Nibble save a disappearing species, and restore the Guinea pigs favourite food supply? The answer involves a trip to the Dandeville library to find out more about dandelions and how to grow them. Filled with gorgeous illustrations and beautiful endpapers, this is a lovely tale of saving a species from extinction, with a little bit of knowledge. Because, as my dear friend says,"Knowledge is power". Published by Graffeg in February 2024. Find out more here - https://graffeg.com/products/christopher-nibble
All about Flags written by Robin Jacobs and illustrated by Ben Javens. Why is the Ethiopian flag so inspirational? Which country has the widest flag? A pictorial guide to the flags of the world, this lovely hardback book answers almost every question you might have about flags. Published by Cicada Books in February 2024 Find out more here - https://www.cicadabooks.co.uk/books/p/all-about-flags
Ten Poems about Libraries selected and introduced by Lorraine Mariner. Libraries are treasured places. We may remember visiting a local library in childhood to explore an early delight in reading. Or perhaps we have come to value them in later life, as a calm sanctuary where we can daydream among beloved books. A library is also a portal into countless worlds of knowledge, experience and adventure - this from the Candlestick Press website - because I couldn't have written a better paragraph about libraries. I remember the smell of the library in our home town when I was growing up, and exactly where the books were that I browsed and borrowed. This is a lovely collection of poems about libraries and librarians, shelves and stairs, books and borrowing. Libraries are indeed treasures and treasured places, where new generations will learn to love stories, and their carers will love sharing stories with them, and where anyone, regardless of circumstances, can take books home to read and share. Let's work together to ensure our libraries are safe for the future. Published by Candlestick Press. Find out more here - https://www.candlestickpress.co.uk/pamphlet/ten-poems-about-libraries/
Dee and Flee at the Theme Park by Julia Hubery and Laura Wood. Dee and Flee work at the Miles of Smiles Adventure Park. A book for early readers or to share, the illustrations are reminiscent of a Dr Seuss picture book. Dee's a dog and Glee's a flea, they're best friends, and they're worried they won't be able to smile all day and help the customers have a happy day. Thankfully it takes more than just smiles, and Dee learns that she can achieve anything with a bit of teamwork. Published by Graffeg on 23rd February 2024. Find out more here - https://graffeg.com/products/dee-and-flee-at-the-theme-park
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