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The Lost Spells: An enchanting, beautiful book for lovers of the natural world

Book
The Lost Spells: An enchanting, beautiful book for lovers of the natural world by Robert Macfarlane, and Jackie Morris

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By Robert Macfarlane, and and, Jackie Morris

avg rating

24 reviews

Beautiful books make unforgettable gifts. This pocket-sized treasure is the perfect present for fans of nature, language and rich artwork, adult and child alike!

Kindred in spirit to The Lost Words but fresh in its form, The Lost Spells introduces a beautiful new set of natural spell-poems and artwork by beloved creative duo Robert Macfarlane and Jackie Morris.

Each ""spell"" conjures an animal, bird, tree or flower — from Barn Owl to Red Fox, Grey Seal to Silver Birch, Jay to Jackdaw — with which we share our lives and landscapes. Moving, joyful and funny, The Lost Spells above all celebrates a sense of wonder, bearing witness to nature’s power to amaze, console and bring joy.

Written to be read aloud, painted in brushstrokes that call to the forest, field, riverbank and also to the heart, The Lost Spells summons back what is often lost from sight and care, teaching the names of everyday species, and inspiring its readers to attention, love and care.

‘Luminously beautiful. An amulet in dark times, to be carried like a talisman out into the world, where it is very much needed’ Dara McAnulty

‘A book about spells that succeeds in being spell-binding in its own right . . . It already feels like a true classic. Buy one copy for yourself and any others for as many children as you can afford’ Books for Keeps

Reviews

01 Sep 2023

I thought it was really good because it had really good vocabulary in it and it also had a glossary at the back giving you other names of animals and plants for instants another word for goldfinch is carduelis carduelis. It also included a variety of poems some were rhyming and even lullaby's and raps.

30 Aug 2023

I absolutely loved this book so much!!! I loved the author's use of acrostic poems, and the illustrations are spectacular. I loved the message, that we have to act now to protect animals. And the idea of having a book of spells for endangered animals was great. Definitely would recommend this, age 5+ probably!

29 Aug 2023

It's a really calming book and I'd recommend it to people who love mystical books and poetry.

06 Aug 2023

Enchanting

31 Jul 2023

It is fun to read and it got a lot of pretty words

30 Jul 2023

I loved this book because the poetry was beautiful and painted vivid picture in my mind. The illustrations inspired me to create some water colours of the nature around me.

26 Dec 2022

Beautiful poems.

03 Sep 2022

I read this with my Nani. We read a lot of pages and then it was really fun. Some words were tongue-twisters and I had to get help to be able to say them. The pictures are so beautiful and there were lovely paintings.

02 Sep 2022

Very nice pictures and the poems in it were so lovely and really nice to read.

30 Aug 2022

It is a beautiful book full of wonder and nature.it has brilliant poems with outstanding drawings.

23 Aug 2022

Very calming and I felt peaceful reading it. I would recommend it to people who need help calming down or who can’t sleep.

16 Aug 2022

It is a spell book, I liked it and liked the spells but I think there could be a bit more to it . There was no storey but a spell book

17 Aug 2021

I think this book shows how to describe things beautifully.

17 Aug 2021

Fantastic I couldn't put it down.

13 Aug 2021

The Lost Spell contains beautiful poems that teach the magic of the everyday world.

09 Aug 2021

I thought that this book was very relaxing.
This had some lovely poems to read and a good story behind it.
This is a fiction book.
There are lots of animals in this book but my fav was the red fox.
Yes i would recommend this to any age rating.

07 Aug 2021

A beautiful spell book revealing to us the magic and wonder of the natural world

02 Aug 2021

I thought it was the best book of poetry I’ve ever read in my entire life!! The pictures are well illustrated and the writing was very well written. I think anybody who loves nature will love it.

02 Aug 2021

A beautiful poetry book. Lots of acrostic poems, would have been nice to have a wider variety of poems styles. But the illustrations are truly stunning!

31 Jul 2021

Beautiful, a little sister to the lost words

30 Jul 2021

What a wonderful book!
I was enchanted by this amazing read!
The images come to life, conjured into reality by Robert McFarlane's poetry.
My favourite poems were Red Fox, Jackdaw and the lullabuy at the end.
I recommend this to fans of The Lost Words authors and nature/poetry/art lovers of any age.

12 Jul 2021

Transportingly beautiful and a playful way to introduce poetry to young people.
It is mesmerizing and has captivating illustrations.
It is lyrical in its writing and takes you on a journey while teaching you to sing a spell and tap in to your own magic.
For loves of all things magical and creature based.
A book you can dip into and read again and again.
Perfect for a wide range of ages
beautiful to read out loud.
Short passages to read for the more hesitant reader to build confidence.

10 Jul 2021

I really liked the book because it was really imaginative and creative.
My book was a fiction book my favourite animal or tree was the Snow Hare because it had really lovely description of the setting.I would definitely recommend this book to someone else.

07 Jul 2021

nicola.blackshaw@hants.gov.uk

Lovely observation of the natural world through words and amazing illustrations. A treasure

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