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

The Secret Wild

Fern Featherstone has spent her life so far travelling the world with her botanist parents. Bursting with natural curiosity, she finds it hard to attend to her studies as her father would like and when an impromptu adventure in the Amazon Rainforest leads her into danger, her parents decide she will be safer with her uncle in London. On her journey, she encounters a little plant which seems to understand her so she decides to keep it, hiding it from her kindly Uncle Ned and naming it Special. London is becoming over run by huge plants, the handiwork of a mysterious Guerrilla Gardener, targeting many of its most famous landmarks and causing havoc. When Special becomes ill, Fern is determined to find a cure for her unusual companion, and with the help of Woody, her new neighbour and (initially reluctant!) friend, embarks on the adventure of a lifetime!

Full of the wonders- and importance of- nature, ‘The Secret Wild’ is a fabulous story with strong environmental messages about looking our plant life and maintaining the natural balance which enables all to thrive. References to, and descriptions of, plants are seeded throughout the story, sure to nurture and propagate curiosity!

Fern and Woody make a fascinating partnership. Fern is impulsive and impetuous, constantly acting without a plan whilst Woody, a great lover of jigsaws, is a cautious plotter who is botanophobic (scared of plants). Both children are lonely. Fern has been uprooted from the wild life she knows and loves, seeing her ‘exile’ from her parents as being as a result of her failings. Woody’s family circumstances have changed resulting in triplets, living with his grandmother and his father working away on an oil rig off Scotland. Initially off to a faltering start, their friendship quickly takes roots, blossoming into mutual respect and support as they find the courage and determination to deal with all the challenges of solving the mystery of the Guerrilla Gardener, saving London and looking after each other.

‘The Secret Wild’ would make an excellent class read or guided reading text, offering much to discuss and explore as well as an engaging and enjoyable story.

The Secret Wild Alex Evelyn

Walker Books ISBN: 978-1406399394