By Ash, Oak and Thorn: the perfect cosy read for children, chosen as one of Countryfile's best books of 2021

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I realize safe might be a strange word to use when talking about a tarot deck, but that is the word that comes to mind when I look at this artwork. If I had children I'd definitely want them to read this book, and I had a lot of fun doing it myself. The evergreen yew with dark green, poisonous, needle-like leaves and red berries has commonly symbolized death in classical antiquity. She won’t quite commit to what bad human behaviour looks like in the immediate and thus we are unable to infer what her idea of good human behaviour might be. This poem was first published in Puck of Pook’s Hill in 1906, in association with the story “Weland’s Sword”.

Celtic sacred trees - Wikipedia Celtic sacred trees - Wikipedia

Both hilarious and moving, this book is perfect for anyone looking for a way to introduce their children to the natural world - or if you fancy reclaiming your own childhood! In Ireland the alder was regarded with awe apparently because when cut the wood turns from white to red. Back in early 2020 as the world was turned on its head, many of us sought the guidance of tarot to help us through a wild and crazy time. We tried to banish them, like the council tries to banish Johnny from his wood and the developers try to banish the woods themselves. The Proto-Celtic was * * wernā; Old Irish fern; Modern Irish is fearnóg; Scots Gaelic, feàrna; Manx, farney; Welsh, gwernen; Cornish, gwernen; Breton, gwernenn.If you find this talk of little people and Hidden Folk rather off-putting and twee, don’t worry, these characters, along with all the other wild creatures, once played a key role as guardians of the Wild World and they are worthy of our appreciation and admiration. In the Irish tale Echtra Condla (The Adventure of Conle), Conle the son of Conn is fed an apple by a fairy lover, which sustains him with food and drink for a month without diminishing; but it also makes him long for the woman and the beautiful country of women to which his lover is enticing him. I'd love to see a new wave of children's nature writing follow these books and help today's kids do the same.

A Tree Song – The Kipling Society A Tree Song – The Kipling Society

Britain’s ethnic minorities bring stories, folk legends, songs and still-living religions from India, Africa, eastern Europe and elsewhere. The legend told of how Wayland, or Weland, a blacksmith whose works were the wonder of the world, was enslaved and crippled by a greed-blinded king and forced to work for him alone, and how he enacted his revenge in the most terrible way. Drawing from local English folklore, it is said that when an oak, ash and thorn tree grow entwined on a hillside, it marks a portal to the otherworld or the dwelling of spirits. The Stubborn Light of Things was nominated for the Wainwright Prize and was named as East Anglian Book of the Year.

The illustrations are so magical and transport readers to a whimsical woodland filled with creatures to inspire and share wisdom. I came into England with Oak, Ash and Thorn,’ says Puck in Kipling’s tale, ‘and when Oak, Ash and Thorn are gone I shall go too. But these moments don't seem forced, the characters often talk together to find a solution and a way forward.

Oak, Ash and Thorn - pk Oak, Ash and Thorn - pk

This book was an excellent modern addition to the ‘tiny folk’ stories which are ever-popular for a reason. With a style that reminded me somewhat of Enid Blyton, Harrison’s debut children’s novel tells the story of three little people who embark upon a journey which takes them through our quickly disappearing natural world, with the hopes of finding a way to survive. In the same humble volume is the writings of a cross old cove as ever lived, named Gildas, who didn’t approve of the way people went on.

I cant help but to imagine a whole ecosystem of little mythical creatures living their lives out of our sights. It's the kind of book that makes me want to go outside and try to notice and take care of every little thing surrounding me. Following in the tradition of The Borrowers and The Minpins, we meet three of the ‘hidden folk,’ guardians of the wild world, whose home in an ash tree has been destroyed. This book couldn’t be more relevant to todays climate crisis, and the beauty of the British countryside was made all the more vivid by the three tiny, funny, Hidden Folk – Cumulus, Burnet and Moss. Since becoming a parent I have been trying to nurture my inner child and access a long-forgotten part of myself that has faded away with the stress and challenges of being an adult in the modern world.