A gorgeous sumptuous luxurious story book that's perfect for settling down with before bedtime, well how could we possibly resist?

The relationship between language and the living world is celebrated
in a new exhibition of poetry and illustration at The Foundling Museum, London.

The Lost Words is a unique collaborative project between the award-winning author Robert Macfarlane, and acclaimed artist and author Jackie Morris, that seeks to reconnect people with the natural world. Originated by Compton Verney, the exhibition presents a new series of poems and accompanying illustrations that conjure the beauty of nature, for visitors young and old. The Lost Words is a response to Macfarlane and Morris’s belief that nature
is in retreat from our children’s stories and imaginations.


Robert Macfarlane has created twenty acrostic poems or ‘spells’ focused on common nature words that are fading from use as the species themselves decline, while Jackie Morris, inspired by her lifelong passion for Britain’s landscapes and wildlife, has painted beautiful, iridescent watercolours that capture first the absence of the plant or creature within its habitat and then its return. 

Bible tales aren't really our usual sort of thing, but when you're involving Jackie Morris and James Mayhew, expect something a bit special...!

Two beautiful new books relating the stories of Jesus have been added to the gorgeous range available from innovative publishers Otter-Barry Books.

"Lost and Found" gathers together 8 parables from the stories of Jesus including A Tale of Two Houses,  Neighbours,  Lost and Found,  Fair Pay,  The Jealous Brother, Sowing and Growing,  Come to the Party and  Forgiveness.

Mary Hoffman retells the eight parables showing how Jesus used storytelling to explain God’s idea of truth, fairness and love.

With beautiful, atmospheric illustrations by Jackie Morris, this is a perfect introduction to the teachings of Jesus.


Also in the range is "Walking on Water: Miracles Jesus Worked"...

Once again Mary retells stories such as Water into Wine,  A Netful of Fish,  Weathermaster,  Through the Roof,  The Biggest Picnic in the World,  Is it a Ghost, Remote Control,  Saying Thank You and Back from the Dead. Some stories will be familiar to children, but some may also feel new and fresh.

The nine stories of the miracles Jesus worked, when he overturned the laws of nature, life and death to show God’s great love for humanity, are gorgeously presented in this luxurious book - again with beautiful illustrations from Jackie Morris. 

At one point or another, children are going to end up owning a bear. Be it a scruffy hand-me-down from mum and dad, or a cuddly fluffy creation fresh off the shelf of the local toy store - or best of all, a hand-knitted bear that a relative or friend has poured their time or their love into.

Children love bears and they most certainly love finding out more about real animals so it's been a privilege to be able to take a look at Jackie Morris' new book celebrating bruins and browns, grizzlies and panda. There truly is "Something about a Bear"

Jackie's books are works of art in their own right, so we don't just get to learn a little more about bears, we get to gaze at their splendour through her utterly gorgeous illustrations and gentle lilting words. In this luxurious book, children will absolutely identify their favourite bears early on and will love diving to the end of the book to see where they live, what they eat and what they get up to during their daily lives. It's a real pleasure to read, from the striking cover to the end-papers at the back.

Definitely a keeper this, and one that you can see your children hanging on to, to hand on to their children one day too.

Charlotte's best bear: It was a very close call between the Polar Bear and the Panda in this book, both are absolutely wonderfully depicted.

Daddy's Favourite bear: I've always been a real sucker for a spectacled bear myself (possibly a lot to do with Paddington books from childhood). What an utterly glorious book though, bear-illiant in fact!

(Kindly sent to us for review by Frances Lincoln Children's Books)