Blog

Our Northumberland National Park Ambassador Rachael is a Mum of two girls, a Primary School English Lead and a children's illustrator, she's a busy lady! Rachael has shared with us a lovely blog post to celebrate world book day 2023.      

 Celebrating World Book Day on Thursday the 2^nd Of March doesn’t need to be an indoor activity. Now is the perfect time to get outside, enjoy the early signs of Spring and use wonderful children’s stories and books to inspire adventures, learn about the environment and create a sense of awe and excitement about nature and the great outdoors.

Here are 7 children’s books that will light up the imagination across all ages and inspire walks in the woods, pottering in the garden, splodging through puddles and getting to know the local wildlife.

The Lost Spells

So many wonderful children’s tales are told through rhyme and verse and the magical nature spells captured in this book, alongside their beautiful illustrations, are the perfect way to find out about some of the incredible wildlife that can found in Great Britain. The poems are perfect for dipping in and out of and sharing aloud. Jackie Morris’ illustrations can be seen in the flesh at The Sill – National Landscape Discovery Centre in the heart of the Northumberland National Park - the ideal location for exploring Hadrian’s Wall and Sycamore Gap. The exhibition for The Lost Spells offers children the opportunity to do their own sketching, use interactive screens, look through the books and then head out into the great Northumberland countryside to explore.

“The Lost Spells is a pocket-sized treasure that introduces a beautiful new set of natural spell-poems and artwork by beloved creative duo Robert Macfarlane & Jackie Morris.”

www.thelostwords.org

We’re Going on a Bear Hunt

For over 30 years, Michael Rosen’s classic tale has delighted little ones and their families. The simple repetitive lines allow children to memorise easily and provide endless opportunities for recreating the story whilst out and about. The simplest of walks can turn into a bear hunt on a beautiful day that involves swishy swashy grass and squelchy squelchy mud! Watching Michael Rosen’s own rendition, with all his exaggerated actions, is a must before heading out on your own adventure, whatever the weather!

Lifesize Creepy Crawlies

One of this year’s specially commissioned World Book Day mini books is the fabulous Lifesize Creepy Crawlies by Sophy Henn. Aimed at beginner readers, this brightly illustrated book will fascinate little explorers and without a doubt will lead to lots of garden explorations, checking under the rocks and pots for signs of unusual life.

Usborne Pocket Guides

Usborne Minis are brilliant books for taking out and about as they fit perfectly into little pockets. Each themed book helps children to spot and identify different aspects of nature whilst they are out exploring – trees, wild flowers, birds and bugs. They even include stickers at the back so that your budding naturalists can keep a record of what they have found.

Greta and the Giants

Inspired by Greta Thunberg and her commitment to saving our planet, this beautiful picture book is gentle way to introduce young children to the importance of looking after the world around them. The bold illustrations tell the story of Greta and her quest to help the animals in the forest who are sad about their habitat being destroyed by giants. Although she feels small, she is determined to make a difference and together with her friends she comes up with a plan to teach the giants a better way. Ultimately this is a reminder that we are never too young or too small to make a difference. The book itself donates 3% to Greenpeace UK from every sale and is printed on sustainable paper.

Nature Trail

For children aged between 2 and 5, you can’t go wrong with Benjamin Zephaniah’s Nature Trail poem within a picture book. If you’re not familiar with Benjamin’s style of writing, it is bouncy and fun and full of delightful vocabulary. The book gives a whole host of opportunities to talk about what might be hiding in the garden and encourages lots of imaginative scenarios, helped by Nila Aye’s vibrant illustrations.

“A great book to enchant children and entice them to take a closer look outdoors. Who knows? They might spot a butterfly having a birthday party…”Booktrust

Wild

For the little ones who live for the great outdoors and always have a stick in hand, grubby fingernails and never notice the wind or rain – Wild by Emily Hughes is a true celebration of wildness and being at one with nature. The intricate illustrations of the little girl’s adventure from her natural habitat to the strange and unfamiliar world of the city, are completely absorbing. This award-winning picture book creates a fabulous contrast and allows for lots of conversations about children’s own habitats and where they love to be.

• You don’t need to get your hands on the books above to enjoy reading and exploring stories outside. Pocket sized books are great for popping in a rucksack and enjoying together with a snack whilst wrapped up warm.
• Carrying a simple sketchbook or notepad on a walk is a brilliant way to record adventures through pictures, words, rubbings or for collecting leaves.
• Sharing a favourite story before going out for a walk can completely change the focus of play and very quickly a twig can become Stick Man or a fallen branch can be a rocket.
• Sharing stories about the outdoors after coming back from an adventure can allow children to make connections and build upon their mental models of the world as they relate to the pictures and characters.

However, you choose to celebrate World Book Day or get outside with a story this weekend, make sure you spend your token and enjoy the experience of choosing, buying and sharing a book.