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

Fly, Butterfly, Fly!

I love the ‘Wild Wanderers’ series by Dom Conlon and Anastasia Izlesou. Beautifully illustrated, each uses lyrical language to draw attention to the wonders of its subject. This book focuses on butterflies- the Cabbage White, in particular. Feeling herself too plain when compared to her more colourful cousins, she embarks on a journey, allowing the reader to accompany her around the world.

In each location, we meet butterflies who live there and learn about their natural beauty and the difficulties and dangers they experience. Back home, the Cabbage White’s colour allows her, unseen, to lay her eggs on the leaves of the cabbages ‘pebbling the fields all around’, completing the life cycle as they say ‘crawl, Caterpillar, crawl’ to her young.

I know I’m getting old, but my childhood memories are not only full of hot summers, but full of butterflies. Red Admirals, Painted Ladies, Small Tortoiseshells, Common Blues seemed to fill the gardens and hedgerows. Now, each sighting of one of these mini-marvels is a moment of celebration and so this book offers a wonderful way of introducing young readers to the different species which can be found across the world, hopefully sparking interest and developing a genuine concern for their well-being.

The descriptive, poetic language is a pleasure to read aloud and is a perfect starting point for further discovery. The use of Kennings- foot-taster, proboscis-drinker- draws attention to specific details whilst other phrases celebrates the beauty of the butterfly, but the whole text is full of information about these fascinating creatures. Each illustration is full of things to notice and explore and the book ends with a section on ‘Butterfly Facts’, an excellent starting point for discovering more. I look forward to finding out what Dom chooses to focus on next- or was ‘Crawl, Caterpillar, Crawl’ a clue?!

Fly, Butterfly, Fly!

Dom Conlon, illustrated by Anastasia Izlesou

Graffeg ISBN: 978-1802580785

You can read my review of ‘Grow, Tree, Grow!’ here, ‘Blow, Leap, Hare, Leap!’ here and ‘Swim, Shark, Swim!’ here.

I Heard a Bird

When cats seem to scare away the bird she is listening to, a little girl searches for it. As she endeavours to find it, she notices all kinds of insects and creatures in her garden before lying on the grass and connecting with nature.

the beautiful weather over the last few days has reminded me of how much I used to enjoy spending time with my son in the garden, discovering and observing nature as well as playing and creating. In this lovely book, Rob Ramsden explores the importance of using all the senses to appreciate the world around us, capturing the joy of really focusing on the little things in life. The carefully chosen language is perfect for sharing with children and encouraging them to identify the sounds and sights of nature- and then, perhaps, to investigate for themselves. The little girl’s concern for the bird and her desire to make sure the cats haven’t hurt it also offers plenty of scope for discussion about caring.

Additionally, the story shows the importance of taking time to relax and take time to connect with the natural world. The little girl hears the music of nature as she uses some simple meditative techniques which families could try for themselves.

The illustrations are delightful. Bright and bold, they are full of details to discuss and explore whilst the text has been used in places to imitate the movement of creatures- woodlice wandering, caterpillars, crawling- adding to the enjoyment of the story.

This is the fourth in Rob’s ‘In the Garden’ series, with ‘I Saw a Bee’, ‘We Found a Seed’ and ‘We Planted a Pumpkin’. Each is sure to foster a love of nature. Each is beautifully presented, colourful and instantly appealing, perfect for sharing with little ones.

I Heard a Bird Rob Ramsden

Scallywag Press ISBN: 978-1915252005

Chipping Norton Literary Festival: The Big Book of Nature Art

On Saturday, I went to the Chipping Norton Literary Festival and the Cotswolds town looked lovely in the sunshine. Yuval Zommer was painting the window of Jaffe and Neale, the bookshop, to celebrate 10 years of the festival, creating a bright, beautiful display.

His new book, ‘The Big Book of Nature Art’, is the latest in his ‘Big Book of…’ series and his event later in the day was to celebrate this. As everyone was arriving and settling, Yuval circulated amongst the audience, chatting to the children. He showed them copies of his books- and there were many cries of ‘I’ve got that one…’ from the children- involving them in reading the titles and holding books for him as he was talking. His patience and desire to involve everyone was lovely!

‘The Big Book of Nature Art’ is packed with 22 craft projects which can be completed in four steps. Inspired by nature, each project combines using natural objects with recycled materials which are easily found at home to prove that ‘each child is a nature artist’! From cardboard cacti to flying fish, from sneaky snakes to forest owls, the book offers a wonderful range of projects to inspire and engage. Advice and tips are given at the end of the book and there are 15 ants, hiding throughout the pages, to find.

Yuval explained that everyone was going to make an owl, using a paper cup for the body and leaves for ears. The children loved it- and were so creative! When they had finished, Yuval admired each one in turn and every child ‘won’ a sticker. It was such a lovely session, showing just what can be made with found objects- and a little imagination!

The Big Book of Nature Art Yuval Zommer

Thames and Hudson ISBN: 978-0500652930

Blog Tour: Bigfoot Island

I am delighted to be the first stop of the Blog Tour for ‘Bigfoot Island’. Having loved ‘Bigfoot Mountain’, it was a real pleasure to return and find out more about Minnie and Kaayii.

When a boat brings strangers to stay in the cabins by her home, Minnie is worried. Although she and the others watched the Bigfoots leave and make their way to Echo Island (which she now thinks of as Bigfoot Island), Minnie is sure that Kaayii has stayed behind and is still living on the mountain. The last thing she wants is for the new-comers to discover them. Kaayii also has a problem as an intruder has arrived on the mountain. Somehow, they must work together to protect the home and people they love.

‘Bigfoot Mountain’ introduced the reader to Minnie, Dan, Connie and Billy and their idyllic lives at the foot of a remote mountain, surrounded by wildlife and nature. ‘Bigfoot Island’ continues their story after the Sasquatches leave the mountainside and head for a new home on a nearby island. Once again, the reader is treated to rich descriptions of nature and the wildlife as Minnie explores, not only the mountainside, but also Bigfoot Island. The thin line of beauty which veils the dangers of the wilderness is also evident in their lives. Even Dan, so familiar with this landscape, can mis-judge the power of nature.

The visitors- both human and Sasquatch- also pose a threat to the tranquility of Minnie’s life. When Alex, Cristy and their son, Marshal, come to stay, Dan is pleased as they will bring some much needed money with them. However, when Alex and Marshal set off up the mountains armed with a rifle, their lack of understanding of nature and the possibility of their discovering the truth of what’s living in the woods causes everyone trouble. ‘A man who thought he was a hunter, but didn’t really know what he was doing, had gone off into the forest with a gun.’ The consequences of his actions are significant for Kaayii and the Sasquatch visitor he is shadowing.

The relaxing power of nature is as key to this story as the last. Marshal arrives at the island with his clothes and attitude set against the place, his eyes barely leaving his signal-less phone. By the end of the book, he has connected with nature and learned to enjoy the solitude and peace of the mountains. Nature’s ability to heal and comfort is also shown through the actions of the Bigfoots as they accept the newcomer in their midst.

The bond between Minnie and Kaayii remains strong as each seeks to understand the other, but from a respectful distance. Minnie has a deep appreciation of, and regard for, their differences and the young Sasquatch is full of curiosity about the young human, convinced she is something special.

A ‘Bigfoot Fact file’ is included at the end of the story, offering a perfect starting point for anyone keen to discover more about these legendary creatures and there is a page of illustrations by cover artist, Jess Mason, showing some of the wildlife encountered through the story.

I hope Minnie and Kaayii are involved in another adventure together soon!

Bigfoot Island Roderick O’Grady

Firefly Press ISBN: 978-1915444097

Many thanks to the lovely people at Firefly Press for inviting me to take part in this Blog Tour. Enjoy following each stop on the tour this week!

You can read my review of Bigfoot Mountain here and my Q and A with Roderick O’Grady here.

Still This Love Goes On

Based on the the song written by Buffy Sainte-Marie, ‘Still This Love Goes On’ is a joyful celebration of enduring love for the world we live in, reminding the reader to find beauty in everything around them. Through word and illustration, the seasons are brought to life as the cold winter days roll into summer and ‘still this love goes on and on’.

Whilst the words offer all the poetic power and cadence of song lyrics, the accompanying illustrations conjure the many joys of the natural world and long lasting traditions which are the fabric and soul of life. They capture the special moments and memories which last as ‘love goes on…’. A short glossary at the beginning of the book shares the meaning of some Cree phrases, most importantly kisâkihitin meaning ‘I love you’, helping the reader to share the essence of the Cree people and their ways, their belief in the interconnectivity of nature and people and a deep love for life.

At the end of the book, the sheet music for Buffy’s song has been included as well as notes from the author and illustrator about their inspiration for this work. There is so much which could develop from using this book with a class as a key text- or from sharing at a story time. It is sure to inspire children (and adults) to consider the things in their lives which they love- the places, the people- developing poetry, artwork, composing, research, environmental work in response.

A very beautiful, powerful book.

Still This Love Goes On

Buffy Sainte-Marie, illustrated by Julie Flett

Greystone Kids ISBN: 978-1771648073

Ghost Orchid

Ava and her parents are off on an adventure to locate the mysterious, rare ghost orchid. Whilst her parents focus completely on the task in hand, Ava wonders at the marvels they see on the way. When they finally reach the location of the ghost orchid, Ava’s parents are despondent as they fear they are too late; however, they are lucky to have Ava, ‘an explorer who notices things that aren’t in the plan’ to open their eyes and change their ways.

This gentle, beautifully illustrated story is an absolute delight. Text and pictures combine to offer the ‘whole’ story in that way which little children love so much. They can see all the things which Ava sees and share her joy in and curiosity about each discovery Ava makes, thriving in the in-the-moment-joy of being a child. Each illustration is rich in detail with so much to notice and discuss.

I was delighted to find that ghost orchids are real. The title page shows a drawing (fig.1) with the plant’s binomial classification, Dendrophylax lindenii, perfect for leading children into discussions about plants, explorers, classification systems… Although aimed at younger children, there is much that could be developed here with older children as well. The opening end papers show a map of the world with notes attached setting up the story with a dotted travel line marked with x’s to show the places visited along the way, making a perfect starting point for further investigation either at school, with home-schooled children or to start an exciting holiday project to interest and excite children about the world whilst away from school. My son and I used to love doing this sort of thing!

One of my all-time favourite picture books is Layn Marlow’s ‘Hurry Up and Slow Down’ which I frequently share with parents when talking about the joys of reading with children. ‘Ghost Orchid’ has the same feeling- take time to listen to little ones and to see things through their eyes- live the moment. When her parents say, ‘We’ll all explore the Ava way’, the family are shown gazing together at the wonders of nature. Ava is back up on her father’s shoulders, central to the family group rather than tagging along behind her tunnel-visioned parents, each face split by a huge grin, caught up in the joy of being together and really looking around them.

With its gorgeous illustrations, this heart-warming book is sure to become a firm favourite, encouraging discussion and expeditions for families as well as inspiring discovery and creation.

Ghost Orchid Fiona Lumbers

Andersen Press ISBN: 978-1839131370

2023 Nature Month-by Month: A Children’s Almanac

According to the Oxford Dictionary, an almanac is ​a book or digital resource that is released every year giving information for that year about a particular subject or activity. As this fascinating book explains, the first almanacs were created by the Ancient Egyptians about 3,000 years ago, containing lists of dates that were thought to be lucky or unlucky. This ‘ Nature Month-by-Month’ almanac is the perfect accompaniment to having fun, learning and discovering nature as the year unfolds.

Each month starts with a special section outlining the special days and anniversaries ahead before a line or two of poetry introduces more information - the birth signs associated with the month, how it got its name, birthstones and birth flowers, for example. This is followed by a section on ‘Festival Fun’, some activities and- as you might expect- a focus on nature!

Published in collaboration with The National Trust, this is the perfect size for popping in a bag to take on an adventure! Bursting with useful information and fascinating facts, this Month by Month almanac is sure to be a hit at home and at school. I wonder how many eagle-eyed children will spot the references to the Queen’s and Prince Charles’s birthdays and the information about his being next in line to the throne- perfect for encouraging discussions!

There are lots of lovely activities to try, including some tasty recipes, and some colourful pages at the end have been left blank for the reader to add their own notes. ‘2023 Nature Month-by-Month: A Children’s Almanac’ would make a wonderful stocking filler or gift for Christmas. Bright, fun illustrations are scattered throughout the book, this is a book which will encourage children to get active and engage with nature.

2023 Nature Month-By-Month: A Children's Almanac

Anna Wilson, illustrated by Elly Jahnz

Nosy Crow in collaboration with The National Trust

ISBN: 978-1839945380

Grow, Tree, Grow!

Oak grows taller each year, offering shelter and nourishment for hundreds of different creatures and plants. A section on ‘Tree Facts’ at the end of the book, offers fascinating facts about oaks and other trees, combining non-fiction with Dom’s poetic story.

‘Grow, Tree, Grow!’ depicts the life cycle of a tree from its first shoot to mighty oak to its decay. It explores the essential role it plays in the ecosystem- how it supports life and it needs the sun and the earth- as well as the impact of humans on forests, making it perfect for including in science lessons as well as for inspiring discussions.

Dom’s writing is beautifully lyrical. His use of kennings, alliteration, assonance, simile, personification make it a joy to read aloud and perfect for sharing. Anastasia’s vivid illustrations capture each scene, offering plenty of details to notice and encourage further discussion.

This is the fifth book in the ‘Wild Wanderers’ series (someone has ‘borrowed’ my copy of ‘Shine, Star, Shine!’) and forthcoming titles include ‘Fly, Butterfly, Fly!’ and ‘Flow, Water, Flow!’. These books make an excellent addition to bookshelves everywhere as they can be enjoyed by children (and adults!) of all ages.

Grow, Tree, Grow! Dom Conlon, illustrated by Anastasia Izlesou

Graffeg ISBN: 978-1802580761