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