green reads

Next week sees the start of Children's Book Week on 6th October. I thought I'd post about some of my favourite green reads for children.

1. The Lorax by Dr. Seuss

This was first published in 1971 and as well as being a great example of Seuss' intermiable rhyming style and fantastical illustrations, it is a book with a serious ecological message.

2. One World by Michael Foreman

This beautifully illustrated picture book addresses the problem of ocean pollution using the tiny ecosystem of a rockpool to illustrate its point.

3. Brother Eagle, Sister Sky by Chief Seattle

This book contains the powerful message from Chief Seattle of the Northwest Indian Nations speaking to the American government, 150 years ago. He believed that all life was sacred. Reading it makes me cry.

4. Spirit of the Forest - Tree Tales from Around the World by Eric Maddern

A beautiful cultural book about tree folklore from Wales to Nepal. A magical spellbinging collection.

5. Willie's Garden by Myra McGee

An inspiring tale of how one boy grows all his own fruit and vegetables, and keeps finding room for more!

6. Dear Greenpeace by Simon James

A whimsical collection of letters, which presents an introduction to this environmental charity in a humorous and enlightening manner.

7. The Flower by John Light

A mesmerising and yet slightly eerie picture book about the importance and vitality of plantlife on our planet.

8. Herb, The Vegetarian Dragon by Jules Bass

I really like the character Herb - he's a great gentle advocate for vegetarianism - he even practices NVC!

9. Big Mama Makes the World by Phllis Root

The creation story with a difference. I love this warm, joyful book with a central character that is both larger than life and down-to-earth.

10. The Song of the Trees by Kenneth Steven and Lily Moon

A beautiful story of redemption about a young girl who refuses to leave her beloved trees. A picture book with a deeper message.

There are many more of course - this is just an off-the-top-of my head list, which doesn't include the fantastic non-fiction books about environmental issues for children. Maybe I'll write about those another day...

oooh new book!

I am very excited indeed - the new book from Ben Law, The Woodland Year has just dropped into my lap, from the lovely folk at Permanent Publications. Billed as Britain's greatest living woodsman, Ben Law brings us tempting recipes including Prickly Nut Wood Soup (ingredients sourced from around Ben's home), coppice crafts such as beautiful willow fencing and inspiring photography in this month by month guide to life in the woods. Ben built his own house in Prickly Nut Wood in Lodsworth West Sussex and makes his living from working on the land. In The Woodland Year he shares this knowledge and experience both through personal stories and practical advice, recipes and species information. I feel like disappearing into the woods myself for the day to digest some of this sumptuous tome but have work to do so this indulgence must wait 'til later.

spread the love

Just had to post a quick one on this new adventure story and interactive pack produced by Splodge Publishing. It's a magical story with a powerful message and comes with a range of beautiful tactile gifts such as feathers and a rainstick to help children explore each of their their senses. Our young testers were delighted by the inclusion of a liquorice stick to taste and a read-along CD. Oh, and to celebrate the launch they are offering a weekend for a family at a Bushcraft camp next year to the winner of a nature poetry competition. All in all an unusual and beautiful gift for young and old alike - anyone looking to find and ignite their spark!

A greener London

According to a report in the Indy today, Boris Johnson has plans for a greener, cleaner London. He has launched a strategy to help the capital cope with climate change, which includes urban greening - more green spaces, tree planting and green roofs, addressing water loss by reducing pipe leakage and encouraging homes to become more water efficient and designing new buildings and adapting existing ones to reduce need for air conditioning. Johnson said that quality of life in the capital could be seriously threatened by climate change, especially extreme weather conditions bringing the increased risk of flooding. I recently read Carbon Diaries 2015 by Saci Lloyd, insightful and timely fiction for teens on how climate change might affect London. In the book the Thames barrier can't cope with the pressure of freak weather conditions and London floods leading to devastating circumstances. Despite this, it is an uplifting tale with a strong community thread running throughout the book. Worth a read even if your teenage years are but a distant memory.

books books books

A friend has leant me the Parent Effectiveness Training Book by Thomas Gordon, a Nobel peace prize nominee. Apparently it is a similar approach to Non-Violent Communication, which I am passionate about as a communication process and actually as a way of living. I have done quite a few courses in NVC and it is always heartening to see the effect that this form of communication has on family relationships. We are very much in each other's pockets as a home educating family but mostly we rub along very well together. My children have taught me SO much, I couldn't even begin to list the things I have learnt, but boundless love and patience and the ability to wait without fear or anxiety have to be some of the most important. Anyway, am going to start the book tonight, along with all the other stuff I am reading at the moment (never get a chance to read fiction any longer), which includes Designing and Maintaining your Edible Landscape Naturally, Toasters don't roast chickens, How can I stop climate change, There are no bad children, Hungry City and Setting up a Small School. There are a few other foodie books that I am rereading like Elaine Bruce's Living Foods Programme and Felicity Lawrence's Not on the Label. Hmmm, have a sort of information addiction at the moment, I think.