Robert Macfarlane

The Lost Words is a book that seeks to conjure the near-lost magic, beauty and strangeness of the nature that surrounds us, for readers both young and old.

Taking the form of twenty ‘lost’ words, collected alphabetically from ‘Acorn’ to ‘Wren’ each word becomes a spell – written by Robert Macfarlane, which is intended to be read aloud. The beautiful images by acclaimed illustrator Jackie Morris capture first the absence of the plant or creature within its habitat and then its return. The spell summons the image and the word back into being, making this a book of enchantment in more than one sense.

The virtual world is moving decisively to the centre of modern childhood experience, whilst nature and its words are being lost. And while this loss of knowledge and experience of nature is happening, we’re also undergoing a drastic decline of species and habitat in the UK. It’s this situation Robert Macfarlane and Jackie Morris seek to address with their unique book, bringing back an experience of nature – as astonishing, strange, beautiful, eerie, and magical. This promises to be a very special, captivating event for young and old, to celebrate one of the most beautiful books of the year.

We are holding a competition to celebrate the publication of ‘The Lost Words’. Children in the local area are invited to write an acrostic poem ‘word spell’, using the name of a British tree, plant or animal.  There are two age categories: 8-11 and 12-16,  with a winner and two runners up in each category. The two winners will each receive a special signed first edition of the book and two tickets to the  event. Runners up will receive a Toppings book token. The winning spells will be chosen by Robert Macfarlane and will  be read aloud at the event. Please click on this link for further details!