There are many books that encourage children to take a deeper interest in the natural world around them. I was delighted to receive a particularly wonderful one through the post recently: 'A Friend to Nature: Activities and Inspiration to Connect with the Wild World' by Laura Knowles and Rebecca Gibbon. A Friend to Nature is …
We didn’t mean to have a wild, epic adventure through brambles, stinging nettles, rocks, sand dunes, a golf course and deep muddy puddles with two small children and a pushchair. But if we had not done so then I would not have seen so many beautiful wildflowers, including my first ever orchids... It all started …
ComfreyFumitory of the WallBlack MedickGarlic MustardOxford RagwortCuckooflower What began as a wildflower awakening back in February has slowly blossomed into bit of an obsession. Now, I notice wildflowers wherever I go. More and more of them are becoming well known to me, usually just by their common names, but sometimes by their botanical ones too, …
Becoming a parent seems like a counterintuitive thing to do if you are concerned about the future of life on Earth and/or trying to save your pennies to reach financial independence (FI). Having children inevitably means bringing new consumers into the world who are going to eat up its finite resources and contribute towards climate …
Continue reading Some thoughts on FI, parenting & the planet
When we tell people we are moving to Devon, they usually mention its moors or beaches. Both undoubtedly have their charms but it is another, far humbler, but just as iconic, feature of the Devonian landscape that really appeals to me - the hedges.
Not that long ago, I was writing about the wonders of winter. Now, I'm full of the joys of spring. And so far my spring this year has been all about wildflowers. Yes, I smile at the sight of daffodils growing on well kept verges and in the formal garden sections of my local parks, …
January has a reputation as a dull, dark and dreary month. But in reality, it is a magical time of year, filled with natural wonders and possibilities. And it's a splendid time to have a birthday...
I'm very pleased to introduce the first ever guest blog post on Little Wild Tales. It is written by Jenny Bailey, author and co-founder of Tales from Mother Earth, a collective of five friends who seek to communicate conservation messages to children through the realms of storytelling and music. Here, Jenny explores a topic that …
Continue reading How to re-wild childhood through storytelling
Christmas is going to be a little different for most of us this year. The recent Covid-19 lockdowns have given many of us a chance to think about how we can save money, reduce waste and be more intentional with our spending. Now that the festive season is upon us, I thought I'd put together …
Continue reading Eco-friendly ideas to save money this Christmas
When they walk along our road, or round the park or through the woods - my children always find a stick to carry with them. Depending on its length, and size and straightness, a stick can be many things... It can be a spoon for stirring a witch's brew or mud pie mixture simmering away …
