Kevin and the Blackbirds

Sent to a monastery because his parents are too poor to care for him, Kevin is happy, although he misses his family. When he finishes his work, he is at his happiest, roaming the woods and making friends with the animals; however, as time passes, he is told it is time to leave his wild friends behind and start to grow up. One day, when reaching out through his window, a blackbird lands in his hands and is soon joined by its mate as they start to build a nest. Amazed by what is happening, the monks care for Kevin as he remains still with the nest in his hands until the birds first lay eggs, the young hatch and then fledge the nest. The monks realise that they were wrong to try to change Kevin and gave him his freedom once more.

In his author’s note, David Almond explains how this story is an adaptation of an Irish legend about a saint called Kevin. The Kevin in this story, however, is not a saint, but a normal, everyday boy whose love of nature leads him to offer care and safety to vulnerable creatures and, in doing so, shows others the importance of nurturing and cherishing living things, cultivating a love of nature. The story is sensitively told: Kevin is loved by his parents, who part with him reluctantly and in the hope of reclaiming him once they are able to; he revels in the joys of nature, the freedom it offers and the wide range of its wonders, leading to his determination to offer the use of his hands as a safe place of refuge to the birds, regardless of the discomfort and difficulties this might cause him.

P J Lynch’s artwork is always stunning and the illustrations in ‘Kevin and the Blackbirds’ are just incredible. Brimming with emotion, they capture Kevin’s misery, joy, laughter and hope, immersing the reader in his story. Each is so rich in detail that it offers a myriad of potential tales to be explored and told by those enjoying looking at them. One of my favourites is that of Kevin’s delighted eyes shining over the top of the nest in his outstretched hands as she watches the chicks hatching from their eggs!

Perfect for sharing at home, the book also offers much for teachers, whether for a story time, assembly or for using as inspiration for drama work, writing, storytelling and art work. It is a thing of great beauty, both in illustration and the message at its heart.

Kevin and the Blackbirds

David Almond, illustrated by P J Lynch

Walker Books ISBN: 978-1529509533

Wisdom of the Woods

‘Wisdom of the Woods’ is a beautiful treasury, offering forty poems which celebrate the joys and the wonders of nature. Set in the world of Brown Bear Wood, the poems pass the wisdom of Nature’s ancient laws to the next generation.

Gathered into eight different sections, the poems explore a wealth of topics, including pollination, evergreens, fungi, grass, chlorophyll… Rachel Piercey does not ‘dumb down’ her writing and as a result, the poems are not only informative and enjoyable, but richly written, using a wide vocabulary. A glossary at the end of the book offers support with clear explanations of the scientific terms used- metamorphic, lenticel, omnivore- but there is also a sense of whimsy and joy in the poems which mange to combine learning and fun so successfully!

The book is the perfect size for taking on expeditions through the woods where they can be enjoyed and used to spark investigations in the heart of the habitat they are celebrating. For teachers, this book is perfect for enriching the curriculum either by using the poems as starting points for exploration or for enjoying at story times or as part of an assembly. Each work is accompanied by delightful illustrations, each a mini-masterpiece!

From its gorgeous cover to the last page, ‘Wisdom of the Woods’ is an absolute joy!

Brown Bear Wood: Wisdom of the Woods

Rachel Piercey, illustrated by Freya Hartas

Magic Cat ISBN: 978-1915569615

NNFN2024: Bird, Bee and Bug Houses

Not only does ‘Bird, Bee and Bug Houses’ share lots of fascinating facts about the wonderful array of wildlife on our doorsteps, it inspires children to make and do, taking a practical approach to caring for nature. Perfect for NNFN2024, it is full of fun activities and interesting ideas.

Having explained what habitats and ecosystems are and the reasons they are being lost, the book starts with a focus on birds and the different types of nest they build. It then offers step-by-step, illustrated instructions on how to build a bird box which incudes measurements and suggestions for some entrance hole sizes for different species. Information about owls and the differing types of nest box they might choose is followed by instructions for how to build a bird bath and make a no-bake bird cake.

Butterflies, bats, bees, bugs, beetle, frogs… there is so much information included here about wildlife and so many practical activities to interest and engage children, getting them out and about, encouraging them to take an interest in, and show care for, the creatures in their locality. Sure to inspire, the clear, attractive illustrations which accompany each activity make the book an appealing treat!

Bird, Bee and Bug Houses: Homes and Habitats for Garden Wildlife

Susie Behar, illustrated by Esther Coombs

Button Books ISBN: 978-1787081444

NNFN2024: Insectarium

The latest addition to the ‘Welcome to the Museum’ books, ‘Insectarium’, does not disappoint fans of this incredible series. Like the others, it is beautifully presented, allowing readers to explore the fascinating world of insects in detail and at their leisure.

Moving from Gallery to Gallery, every page is a celebration of ‘the most beautiful, fascinating and peculiar insects’, from their evolution to the need to protect and care for them today. The large format encourages readers to share these books and I have often seen children lying on the floor, grouped around books in this series, completely immersed in poring over every detail of the pictures and exploring the text. Offering a quality reading experience from the quality of the paper to the detail of the illustrations, children recognise and enjoy these books for what they are- something special!

I am not a fan of the term ‘gift book’ as I believe every book is a gift, but for both adults and children, ‘Insectarium’ is a book which will be treasured and returned to again and again!

Welcome to the Museum: Insectarium

curated by Emily Carter and Dave Goulson

Big Picture Press and the Royal Entomological Society ISBN: 978-1800782563

NNFN2024: 21 Things to do with a Mud Pie

Perfect for encouraging children to get outside and get muddy, ‘21 Things to do with a Mud Pie’ is full of enjoyable art and science activities, mingling learning and play. Each of the twenty-one suggestions is easily achievable and full of fun.

For each activity, there are clear instructions and attractive illustrations, making each step easy to follow- and each idea is sure to lead to more fun with mud! And there is much to learn whilst playing as the book contains plenty of information about ecosystems, plant growth etc which they might discover.

There are activities which can be enjoyed independently or with friends and those which might need the support of an adult. Whether watching worms, painting with mud, planting flowers or making mud pies, this is a wonderful book for encouraging outdoor play and enjoying the natural world!

21 Things to do with a Mud Pie

Jane Wilsher, illustrated by Teo Georgiev

Ivy Kids ISBN: 978-0711292635

NNFN2024: Foraging

‘Foraging: A Complete Guide for Kids and Families’ makes a perfect book for NNFN2024 as it is sure to encourage children- and their families- to engage in a new hobby! Packed with advice and activities, it is a cornucopia of inspiration for engaging with nature and the bounties it offers.

Although it makes the point that nature doesn’t fall neatly into categories, the book is presented in sections to help readers locate information about fruits and berries, plants and bushes, flowers and trees. Photos of each focused plant accompany the text which explores its appearance, where it can be found, its scientific and common names, the parts you can eat, when best to pick it before looking at what you can do with it. Terms are clearly explained and there are little challenges scattered throughout.

At every stage, the book encourages curiosity and exploration, offering details to notice and look for, as well as plenty of advice on how to forage safely and sustainably, looking after the environment as much as the individual. A section on poisonous plants at the end of the book flags some of the dangerous plants which budding foragers might come into contact with.

Not only does the book offer recipes to try, including drinks, foods, salves and balms, it also includes a wealth of folklore, historical details and fascinating facts. It really is a book to engage, entertain and educate the whole family whilst encouraging them to spend time together and develop an appreciation for, and love of, the natural world. When I was little, we used to love ‘blackberrying’ with Grandma- and this book takes that to another level!

Foraging: A Complete Guide for Kids and Families

Stella and Dane De Luca Mulandiee, illustrated by Elly Jahnz

Puffin ISBN: ‎ 978-0241654569

NNFN2024: The Children’s Book of Wildlife Watching

Day 4 of National Non-Fiction November 2024! ‘The Children’s Book of Wildlife Watching’ is a companion to ‘The Children’s Book of Birdwatching’ and both are perfect for encouraging new interests in young children. ‘Wildlife Watching’ introduces readers to the wonderful world of wildlife which surrounds us and shows how much can be learned from observing nature around us.

A mixture of beautiful photographs and illustrations support the text, making each page full of appeal and interest to little explorers. Information is presented in clear, well-explained sections, signposted by headings and side-headings to guide the reader and there is a glossary at the end of the book. There are sections on minibeasts, reptiles and amphibians, birds and mammals, allowing families to focus on different species to investigate, perhaps led by the area they live in or a place they are visiting. There is much here that would also be useful to teachers setting up investigation spaces or themed activities for their classes.

Each section offers a practical activity which is both clearly explained and easy to undertake. These projects are supported by profiles of a range of creatures, each accompanied by a clear photograph to aid identification. A profile of the author is also presented at the end of the book, a lovely touch, allowing readers to see the ‘real’ person behind the work and also to convey a real enthusiasm for her subject!

A brilliant addition to home or school libraries, ‘The Children’s Book of Wildlife Watching’ offers an excellent starting point for inspiring a new hobby and building a life-long love of the world around us.

The Children’s Book of Wildlife Watching

Dan Rouse

DK ISBN: 978-0241661819

A Story of the Seasons

‘A Story of the Seasons’ is another beautifully produced collaboration from Nosy Crow and the National Trust. Lettering capturing elements of the changing seasons surrounded by creatures, birds, insects and flowers stands out against the matt cream background of the cover, instantly tempting the reader inside whilst attention to detail - such as a purple ribbon bookmark and the green edging of the pages - all add to the special feel of the book, making it a gift to treasure!

The content of the book is just as well presented and engaging. The introduction explains that the book looks at the changing nature of eight habitats through the seasons of the year, exploring the life cycles and habits of the creatures who live there. What follows is a real celebration of the natural world with the enthusiasm of the author encouraging readers to pause, enjoy and explore nature around them. Accessible sections of text offer facts and clearly written explanations with headings and side headings, guiding the reader and helping them to locate information.

The book is bursting with information, but also offers plenty of inspiration, encouraging active engagement with nature- noticing the first signs of spring, looking for different birds on an estuary, enjoying the park in winter. There are also historical details, references to poetry and folklore- all of which offers an enriching reading experience for all ages to enjoy, all complemented by beautiful illustrations. This is a book for families to share throughout the year- a book which will develop family traditions for experiencing and enjoying the wonders of nature.

A Story of the Seasons

Anna Wilson, illustrated by Carilina Rabei

National Trust and Nosy Crow ISBN: 978-1805130031

The Wild Outside

Tulip loves being outside, exploring nature and all its beauties. One day, she discovers a nature trail which names all of her favourite flowers, trees and plants. Returning home, Tulip finds a package on her doorstep, containing a wonderful nature guide, offering her more information about plants from around the world. After a rainy day, all the chalked labels and names of the nature trail have been washed away so Tulip tries to replace it, adding question marks where she is unsure about something. On her way home, she notices that someone has added the answers to these and, following a trail of muddy footprints, discovers her mystery helper is her Grandpa.

This glorious book celebrates both the wonders of nature and insatiable curiosity! One of the many joys of being around young children is their boundless interest and Tulip exudes an infectious delight in exploring the world around her.

Perfect for inspiring families to get outside during the summer holidays and learn more about nature, ‘The Wild Outside’ offers a wealth of information about trees and plants, presented in little snippets which are easy to understand and remember. The story could easily be used (at home or at school!) as the starting point for inspiring a nature trail around a garden, park or even along the route of a local walk. The ‘outside’ is not a confined area in the story and Tulip and her mum (it doesn’t specify that this is who it is) are shown exploring everywhere, encouraging children to observe nature wherever they find themselves.

At the end of the book, there are suggestions for activities like leaf and bark rubbing and flower pressing which might encourage children to create a nature book of their own like Tulip’s. A very clear warning is given at the very beginning of the book about never touching or picking flowers etc without an adult’s supervision and at the end, there is further guidance for looking after the environment whilst enjoying yourself!

The illustrations are delightful and eagle-eyed readers are sure to spot the clues as to the identity of Tulip’s mysterious guide to nature as the story progresses. The fact that her grandfather is sharing his knowledge and wisdom with her, inspiring and encouraging Tulip to follow her passion and discover more is a lovely way of valuing relationships between different generations whether family members as in this case or not.

Brilliant for supporting (and expanding!) the curriculum at both KS1 and 2 as well as for enjoying at home, ‘The Wild Outside’ is an inspiring, enjoyable read!

The Wild Outside

Rachel Ip, illustrated by Katie Hickey

Hachette ISBN: 978-1526365217

Outside In Nature Poems

Containing 50 poems inspired by nature, ‘Outside in Nature Poems’ is a wonderfully uplifting collection. Daniel Thompson’s love of the outdoors and the healing joy of nature shines through each poem. There are poems about the weather, animals, the season… showing all the variety and wonders of the natural world.

There are so many poems to enjoy here. I love ‘A Flamboyance of Flamingos’, an acrostic spelling ‘a collective nouns poem’ which cleverly uses those which group creatures to create the poem. Collective nouns are always great fun to explore with children and this poem could lead to them creating their own poems in this style. ‘Beautiful Flowers’ encapsulates the fabulous variety and ingenuity of the blooms we so often take for granted- but also makes the reader pause and draw parallels with how unique each human is too.

As might be expected from such a collection, there are poems which reflect upon threats to nature. ‘A World Without Bees’ focuses on all the ‘b’s we would lose- ‘big family banquets of bountiful grub’, for example whilst ‘No Planet B’ reminds the reader that we need to take care of planet A- the one which we have.

Some of the poems encourage you to learn about nature without realising! ‘The Superhero Squad’ draws attention to some of the incredible things animals can do and ‘The Great Recycler’ explores how ingenious the Earth is at recycling and reusing its resources.

The book is beautifully presented with engaging, attractive illustrations on every page. A brilliant collection for sharing, discussing, performing and using as models to inspire writing, ‘Outside in Nature Poems’ is also the perfect book to curl up and enjoy alone!

Outside In Nature Poems

Daniel Thompson, illustrated by Julia Murray

Collins  ISBN: 978-0008660253

Bird Boy

‎ Sent to live with his uncle in the Lake District, Will is faced with a life far removed from the one he is used to. When he makes friends with Omar, a refugee from Afghanistan, he finds the confidence to explore and the two boys discover an osprey nest. As they watch the birds, naming them, Will feels a deep connection with the smallest chick, Whitetip, so when, on a stormy night, Whitetip is knocked out of the nest, Will is determined to save her.

Catherine Bruton is well known for her empathetic, sensitive books and in ‘Bird Boy’, she has excelled herself. This is a story about migration- for humans and birds- about starting again, about healing, about hope. Deeply poignant in places, the story is written with great honesty and tenderness.

In Will, Catherine has done an amazing job of portraying a traumatised child, offering the reader glimpses of the life he has had with his mother and the strategies he has adopted to help himself cope. Struggling to come to terms with his recent bereavement, he is taken from all he knows to live with an uncle he barely knew existed whilst a new life with grandparents he has never met on the other side of the world. The beauty and solace of the mountains, the friendship he finds with Omar – and the local community- and the desire to save the helpless chick, all help Will to begin to heal and find a new sense of peace.

There is so much to recommend this book. I sobbed in places, gasped in others and ultimately, felt uplifted and hopeful for Will’s future- and that of Omar and the ospreys. It is an incredibly powerful, beautifully executed story- not to be missed.

Bird Boy

Catherine Bruton

Nosy Crow    ISBN:  978-1839946493

You can read my review of ‘No Ballet Shoes in Syria’ here and ‘Another Twist in the Tale’ here.

Is It a Seed?

When two children discover a seed, they plant it and then start to wonder what it might become. Will it be a flower? A tree? Or a magic beanstalk?

Celebrating the power of the imagination, ‘Is It a Seed?’ is an absolute joy of a book! As the children in the story chat excitedly about their treasure, they build on each other’s ideas, allowing their imaginations to run riot. They draw on stories they know, combining and creating their own visions and exploring a world of possibilities in the way children do when allowed the time and space to play and imagine! The illustrations bring their ideas vividly to life, adding plenty of details to enjoy and explore. Readers are sure to offer their own ideas, using their own experiences reading and TV/film watching to enrich and adapt their suggestions.

The book is also perfect for inspiring interest in growing seeds and watching ‘something amazing’ happen. The end papers capture the flourishing of the imagination, but page by page, there are changes in the family’s garden, showing them planting and nurturing seeds and plants through the seasons. As time passes, sharp eyed children are sure to also notice that mum is pregnant in one picture and then seen holding a baby in another! The imagination offers them immediate gratification, but their little seed takes time and patience to blossom.

‘Is It a Seed?’ is sure to become a firm story time favourite, at home and at school, perfect for sharing and then reading and re-reading/ picture browsing independently, wallowing in imaginative dreams and creating stories of their own. An absolute joy!

Is It a Seed?

Emily Ann Davison, illustrated by Adriena Fong

Flying Eye Books ISBN: 978-1838741587

Wilding: How to Bring Wildlife Back - An Illustrated Guide

‘Wilding: How to Bring Wildlife Back - An Illustrated Guide’ tells the story of the Knepp Estate in West Sussex and how the owners have allowed nature to return, bringing wildlife back to the estate. Now home to an abundance of creatures, including many rare species, the estate shows the importance- and benefits of rewilding.

Described as ‘a re-imagining of Wilding: The Return of Nature to a British Farm’, ‘Wilding’ is both fascinating and beautiful. Watercolours and lino prints by Angela Harding adorn every page offering a sense of the wonders this endeavour has brought about. A timeline at the beginning of the book outlines the events from the creation of the estate in William the Conqueror’s time through the changes of the Industrial Revolution, the Second World War, intensive farming and the family’s decision to stop farming and allow nature to thrive. From this point, the book is a celebration of the new landscape and its inhabitants with careful explanation of how this was achieved and ideas for how to rewild your own space.

Although pitched at younger readers, this book is an absolutely absorbing read for anyone. Both of my parents, my husband, my neighbour, my son and his girlfriend were all drawn towards this book, spending time getting lost in its pages and exclaiming in delight at the illustrations and pictures of the changes and the beauties of nature. It is a book which makes you pause and ponder the possibilities for your own environment, leaving you full of hope for the future.

‘Wilding: How to Bring Wildlife Back - An Illustrated Guide’

Isabella Tree, illustrated by Angela Harding

Macmillan  ISBN: 978-1529092844

Footprint

This gentle, beautifully illustrated picture book invites the reader to take a walk through the wonders of nature, taking time to appreciate the world around them whilst taking care of it, leaving only footprints behind. The language is carefully chosen, offering a lyrical read which is a joy to share.

Encouraging exploration and discovery, the text reflects the fact that the way ahead might not always be level, but with determination and resilience, difficulties can be overcome. The journey might include darkness and danger, but pausing and breathing, continuing with hope, the way ahead is full of possibilities and wonder. There is so much to reflect upon here- how nature affects us, the negative (and positive) impacts humans can have on the world, the importance of caring for nature- making the book a joy to return to again and again.

The illustrations are wonderful! Soft colours glow with the beauty of different landscapes and children will enjoy identifying the many creatures, birds, plants and insects which appear on every spread. The endpapers are a riot of colourful footprints and starry footprints made of stars line the night’s sky, recalling the importance of the book’s title and the meaning it carries.

‘Footprint’ could easily be used in school with classes, as the basis for an assembly, to celebrate Earth Day on the 22nd April or World Environment Day on the 5th June. However, it is an important book to share not only for its message about looking after the world, but for its focus on self care, reminding children to breathe through difficult moments and be optimistic about the future.

Footprint

Phil Cummings and Sally Soweol Han

Allen and Unwin ISBN: 978-1761180323

The Bee Connection

Meet Mason B. Chandler, owner of Stemville’s private detective agency. In her first case, Mason follows the clues to solve a sticky situation which has caused Bug Borough to come to a standstill. Not only does she reveal the truth about what happened, Mason introduces readers to the fascinating world of bees along the way.

Combining story, information and appealing illustrations, ‘The Bee Connection’ is an absolute must-have for any curious nature lover, class bookshelf or library. There is a feeling of Richard Scarry’s ‘Busy World’ to some spreads, drawing the reader into Mason’s world and encouraging them to linger over each spread, absorbing the details whilst other pictures really help to support and explain the text.

Following Mason on her investigation, readers are encouraged to notice details and develop their factual knowledge of the different varieties of bees and their lifestyles. So much information is given, but in such a readable, easily digested style, brilliantly supported by the illustrations, that there is never a feeling of being over-loaded or overwhelmed by facts. Paragraphs, labelled diagrams, captions and short snippets of text keep the reader interested and attentive.

The book concludes with practical suggestions for how to be ‘bee friendly’, encouraging readers to value and look after these incredible creatures. These would be simple to follow at home or in school and the book would make an invaluable resource for teachers, supporting the science curriculum, developing interest in STEM subjects and modelling information writing as well as perhaps inspiring children to draw and design their own bee characters who might live in Bug Borough!

Anyone familiar with the very excellent ‘Professor Astro-Cat’ series will have high expectations of this - and they will not be disappointed. Informative and entertaining, ‘The Bee Connection’ is an bee-rilliant read!

STEMville: The Bee Connection

Ben Newman

Flying Eye Books ISBN: 978-1838741266

Published February 1st 2024

You can read my reviews of Professor Astro-Cat’s ‘Human Body Odyssey’ here and ‘Deep Sea Voyage’ here.

The Star Whale

Petr Horáček’s gorgeous illustrations are inspiring. Luminous colours glow from every spread as his artwork captures different creatures, habitats and ideas. It is almost impossible to chose a favourite as turning each page reveals new treasure to be lingered over and wondered at. Is it any wonder, then, that Nicola Davies took inspiration from his artwork and created the poems that accompany them?

‘Spider and Wind’ is set against a background in which Petr Horáček somehow manages to capture both the fragility and strength of these creatures and the ‘silver harp’ which they spin whilst the Furze Pig/Urchin/Hotchi Witchi emerges from a cascade of autumnal leaves as Nicola’s words lament how rarely these once-familiar creatures are now seen. In ‘Kingfisher’, Petr captures the ‘small glint of wonder’ in his painting as surely as Nicola does with her words.

For a teacher, there is so much here to inspire and develop creativity and curiosity. To catch sight of an illusive hedgehog, to identify the ‘puff of feathers’ that is a goldfinch, to discuss and discover the ‘names of a butterfly’ and their origins- to explore the wonders of the world and then try to capture something of their essence through art and word- this is a book bursting with potential! However, it is also a book to linger over and to love, to curl up with and dream, to share again and again and again…

The Star Whale

Nicola Davies and Petr Horáček

Otter-Barry ISBN: 978-1915659095

Within my Branches

This beautiful book follows the life of a single tree, from acorn to mighty oak and the fate that befalls it at the hands of men. Red text on stark white pages tells the story accompanied by gorgeous black and white illustrations, making the book a thing of beauty to be lingered over again and again.

The book celebrates the tree’s role in nature, the many creatures and birds it shelters and feeds, the many seeds it scatters which in turn grow to be trees as the world changes around it. Steadfast through storms, it is man’s actions which ultimately topple it, launching the tree into a new, unfamiliar life on the seas, carrying adventurers on their journeys.

The illustrations are just beautiful. The endpapers show the acorn’s germination as it grows to a small sapling, spreading its leaves to the light and each picture tells a story of its own, offering much to discuss and explore. It is a very special book, focusing attention on the beauty of trees and the essential role they play in our world.

Within My Branches Nicolas Michel

Pushkin Press ISBN: 978-1782694083

The Magic of Forests

Join Mimi cat as she leads the reader into the fascinating world of forests, learning about their secrets and their treasure. Starting by defining what a forest is and looking at the differences between woodlands, forests and jungles, the author then introduces the reader to the different types of forests which can be found. There is much to discover on each page!

The beauty and magic of trees, the abundance of nature which they sustain and the wonderful benefits they offer people are all celebrated in this lovely book. There is plenty of scientific information for those with a passion for finding answers- the detailed index and glossary making location information very easy- but the book also explores some of the fabulous folklore and fairy tales told about these magical places.

Each spread is beautifully illustrated with the information presented in accessible sections with clear side headings to tempt and guide. Quizzes and ideas for activities add yet more to what is a really lovely, fascinating book.

The Magic of Forests:

A Fascinating Guide to Forests Around the World

Vicky Woodgate

DK ISBN: 9780241625880

You can read my review of ‘The Magic of Seasons’ here.

Our Earth is a Poem

Shell of the sunrise,

sunrise shell,

yours is the pink lip

of a pearled world.

‘Our Earth is a Poem’ joins ‘Courage in a Poem’ and ‘My Heart is a Poem’ as the third in this beautiful series of poetry books from Little Tiger. As with the two previous volumes, this collection offers a carefully selected, wide range of poems, but this time on the theme of nature.

And what a selection it is! Perfect for using at home and in school, these are poems which capture moments of nature’s beauty, closely observe the environment and marvel at the wonders around us. Nature in this collection is the whole jigsaw of life which makes our world.

‘Mud’ revels in the joy of a child playing in the dirt, valuing the fundamental contribution this makes to life whilst ‘Winter Poem’ celebrates the magic of snow. Robert Macfarlane’s ‘Otter’ is a stunning example of an acrostic poem, which uses a wealth of poetic devices to capture the enigmatic beauty of that creature. The range of styles and subjects is a joy, making it a pleasure to share and very easy for poetry to be slipped into story time routines at home and school as well as being a collection which children will, no doubt, love to explore for themselves.

The collection is delightfully illustrated by four artists who capture the essence of the poems in their differing styles. Like the poems they capture, the illustrations offer much to discuss and enjoy. I love the joy of the picture which accompanies ‘Your Dresses’ by carol Ann Duffy and the humour which fills the one for John Agard’s ‘Laughter’s Favourite Animal’.

Biographies of both poets and illustrators are given at the end of the book, something which I feel is really important. It is so wonderful to be able to see the creator of something which you have enjoyed and may well lead to further discoveries or new interests. There is also a note about the use of both British and American English in the collection, reflecting the roots of the work and its maker.

A stunning collection!

Poems by: Margarita Engle, Diana Hendry, Grace Nichols, Robert Macfarlane, Ruth Awolola, Naomi Shihab Nye, Zaro Weil, Rachel Plummer, Joyce Sidman, Carol Ann Duffy, Jack Prelutsky, Mary Anne Hoberman, Nikki Giovanni, Jan Dean, Rebecca Perry, Sue Hardy-Dawson, Janet Wong, Jay Hulme and Tom Denbigh

Artwork by: Annalise Barber, Mariana Roldan, Masha Manapov and Nabila Adani

To be published on August 3rd 2023

You can read my review of ‘Courage in a Poem’ here and ‘My Heart is a Poem’ here.

My Heart Was a Tree

My walk was the walk of a human child, but my heart was a tree.

-Ted Hughes

Inspired by the bluebell woods behind his house, the story of Jean Giono (the man who planted trees) and the poem the above quote is taken from, ‘My Own True Family’, this book is a love song to trees.

Yuval’s glorious illustrations make the book visually stunning, a fitting tribute to the lush richness of trees and the abundant life which they support. From the insect and leaf strewn end papers and hard cover under hidden beneath the dust jacket to the , each page is beautifully decorated.

The collection contains both stories and poems, some taking the viewpoint of the trees themselves, some about the animals who live in and around them and some about the people who rely on their bounty. One of my favourites, ‘I Was There’ is written as if by an olive tree which witnesses Penelope, wife of Odysseus, longing for her husband, his return and then the writing of the poem by Homer. Another, ‘A Whisper of Blossom’, is accompanied by a note about van Gogh’s painting ‘Almond Blossom’, giving the reader some context for the poem. ‘The Singing Tree’, having survived bombing, sees life return once more, a symbol of hope and renewal.

The poems and stories in this collection are ideal for sharing, exploring and enjoying, perfect for school and home alike. It is a treasure trove of treats, celebrating the majesty and beauty of trees.

My Heart was a Tree: Poems and Stories to Celebrate Trees

Michael Morpurgo, illustrated by Yuval Zommer

Two Hoots ISBN: 978-1529094794