The Children's Forest: Stories and songs, wild food, crafts and celebrations ALL YEAR ROUND

A rich and abundant treasury in celebration of the forest, this book is about encouraging children’s natural fascination with the forest and its inhabitants. The authors have produced an enchanting book where imagination, story and play bring alive the world of the forest. Full of games, facts, celebrations, craft activities, recipes, foraging, stories and Forest School skills, The Children’s Forest is much more than a manual: it is an invitation Engages children with nature through play and imagination in the forest and woods. Appealing to teachers, parents, and children, this book focuses on British and Irish trees, plants, animals, stories, poems, songs, crafts, and activities

About the Author :
Dawn Casey is an author, mother and story-lover. She is inspired by the power and magic of tales of old, and the wonder of the natural world. Her collection of stories and activities, The Barefoot Book of Earth Tales, won the Gold Award from Nautilus for ‘books of exceptional merit that promote spiritual growth, conscious living and positive social change’. Helen d’Ascoli is a founder of Talking Trees, a company dedicated to connecting people to nature. She has been practising Forest School education with children, community groups and schools for over ten years. Her mission is to create the next generation of conservationists. She works as a Forest School teacher, tutor and mentor. Anna Richardson is the co-author of Learning with Nature and is a Forest School facilitator specialising in foraging, an artist and musician. She works with children of all ages.  

Review :
This gorgeous book is a celebration of nature. Its aim is to "foster deep, meaningful, enriching and lasting relationships with the natural world." It does this through providing songs, poems, craft ideas, plant lore, games, stories and recipes, set out in the seasonal wheel of the year with sections for the traditional ancient celebrations of lmbolc, Beltane, Lughnasa and Samhain. There are lots and lots of beautiful illustrations from Allmut ffrench bringing the ideas to life. I am looking forward to making walnut candles this winter, combining the bounty of nature with candlelight to brighten the dark evenings. Wonderful nature inspiration for us all. If you’re interested in nature, woodlands and wildlife you’ll love this book, its a joy to read and you can get lost in its pages with the stunning designs and illustrations. Although it is aimed at 5-12 year olds it will also be appreciated and enjoyed by adults, families and younger children. ‘This book entices us to go outside, to play and interact with the natural world and to celebrate different times of the year’ With this beautiful book - co-authored by Dawn Casey, Anna Richardson and Helen Ascoli – Hawthorn Press have scaled fresh heights in its vocation to put inspiring storytelling resources into our hands. There is naturally a practical aim at work in providing ‘stories and songs, wild food, crafts and celebrations all year round’. But this achieved with visual and verbal excellence. The Children’s Forest is an inspirational work that more than merits its £28.99 price tag – ISBN 978-1-907359-91-0. There is so much here to enjoy and apply. And in the words of Clare Dubois, quoted on the cover, ‘What greater gift could you give to your children than to help them fall back in love with the forest?’ Indeed, but let’s include the grownups in that gifting as well. This delightful and deeply connecting book is an inspiration and call to all, to immerse ourselves in the forest, amongst the trees and the plants that have so many gifts to share with us. It speaks from the intelligence of Nature, which makes this important landmark book a profound breath of fresh forest air. Herein lies a rich treasure of beauty, creativity, and understanding that encourages true deep connection with the natural world of the forest. At this time when so many are hearing the call to return to a deeper relationship with Nature, this book has something for us all, children and adults alike. I highly recommend it.