Lore of the Wild: Folklore and Wisdom from Nature

Ages 6 to 12, Grades 1 to 7

Lore of the Wild delves into traditional nature folklore from around the world, revealing the influence of trees, plants, insects, birds, animals, and weather on daily life.

See nature in a whole new light with this enchantingly illustrated treasury of natural folklore and wild wisdom from around the world.

Did you know that people used to believe that rabbits’ ears would twitch in the direction of a thunderstorm? That lily of the valley flowers were formed from fairies’ drinking cups? And that taking dandelions into the house would make you wet the bed? Traditional nature folklore can help us understand how our ancestors interacted with the world around them and allows us to view nature from a new perspective.

Brought to life with bright, folk art–inspired illustrations, discover the lore of:An array of different animals, birds, and insectsAll types of flowers, plants, and treesThe weather, sun, moon, and starsGood and bad omens, and lucky charmsLore of the Wild inspires appreciation of different cultures, as well as an engagement with the beauty of the natural environment.

About the Author

Claire Cock-Starkey is an author who worked with Ben Schott on his hugely successful Miscellanies and Almanacs. She has worked for BBC Radio 4 and written many other miscellanies and fact-filled books on history, libraries, words, books, and museums, including: Penguins, Pineapples and Pangolins (British Library, 2016), The Book Lovers’ Miscellany (Bodleian Library Publishing, 2017). She is happiest perched in the British Library reading rooms surrounded by a pile of obscure and fascinating books, researching her next book.With over 50K followers on instagram, nomadic illustrator AITCH originally hails from Romania but prefers not to put down roots in any one place; new scenery inspires and invigorates her tactile, folky illustrations and a constant string of exhibitions in cities across the continent pushes her technique further. Her dreamy characters hide among William Morris–esque gardens and bring to mind a bright and bold reincarnation of Victorian melancholy while still retaining a strong sense of her Romanian heritage.