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Most Mortals have no idea about the secret world of wild creatures - and of course the things you don't believe in are particularly hard to see." In the same humble volume is the writings of a cross old cove as ever lived, named Gildas, who didn’t approve of the way people went on. Nennius, Sir, in the same volume is very skimpy but said to be all right as far as he goes.’ (Quoted in Carrington (1955 1st edition), pp. 376-77.) This seems like a whimsical fairytale at first, but I love the underlying social commentary about men's relationship with the environment and the impact we have on it. It reminded me of all the Enid Blyton books I read as a child.
By Ash, Oak and Thorn: the perfect cosy read for children
This book was an excellent modern addition to the ‘tiny folk’ stories which are ever-popular for a reason. Following in the tradition of The Borrowers and The Minpins, we meet three of the ‘hidden folk,’ guardians of the wild world, whose home in an ash tree has been destroyed. They set out on a journey to find a new home, as well as to try and meet more of their kind who, in the face of human environmental destruction, seem to be disappearing. In a book that nods to classic childrens fare, such as The Little Grey Men by “B.B.” and The Borrowers by Mary Norton, this is a story filled with natural history and wonder. Harrison doesn’t so much create a world as she does show us what it really there; what has always been there, if we have eyes to see. Lovingly painted characters and landscapes expose a world of tiny beings, the overlooked environment of our day-to-day life. As the Hidden Folk consider their own continued existence in the world, they ponder the behaviour of humans; why we do the things we do, what we consider important and everything we miss or ignore in the world. They want to understand why some humans (most usually children) can see and speak to them and others seem to forget. (There is a short, wonderful scene in the beginning when a young child, Ro discovers them and can even speak the language of natures’ creatures, the Wild Argot. Really makes you wonder!) I will send you Geoffrey of Monmouth where is a lot of names-might prove useful-rum names, Sir, as ever was. He’s a author as has been down in the market but is looking up now, and though his style is pomptious, being wrote in Latin he didn’t understand, scholars is beginning to depend on him a good deal, as having got his stories out of old books, and not making them up himself as was for a long time supposed.Verse 3 line 1] In churchyard mould: Many of the biggest and oldest yew trees in the United Kingdom are to be found in churchyards This really resonated with me. I dabbled with tarot on and off since my teen years, but it was the passing of my father that really drew me to the cards. This is a lovely book exploring nature, protecting it and connecting with it, all told through an adventure by the Wild Folk- Moss, Burnet, Cumulus- who are similar to borrowers but who have protected nature from the beginning of time. But things are changing, and Cumulus and Burnet are beginning to disappear, and they set out of a quest to find more like them, to find out why. The poem was also later included in Songs from Books and DV. In both a head date of AD 1200 is added.
By Ash, Oak and Thorn by Melissa Harrison | Goodreads
The autumn of 1933 is the most beautiful Edie Mather can remember. But in the fields and villages around her beloved Wych Farm the Great War still casts a shadow over a community impoverished by economic depression, and threatened by change. Change, too, is coming to Edie, who at fourteen must soon face the unsettling pressures of adulthood. Constance FitzAllen arrives from London to document fading rural traditions and beliefs, urging all who will listen to resist progress and return to the old ways — but some wonder whether there might be more to the glamorous older woman than meets the eye. As harvest approaches and the future of Wych Farm itself grows uncertain, Edie must somehow find a way to trust her instincts and save herself from disaster. All in all, I think the simple lessons and childlike nature of this book is not only relevant in our busy world, but are also extremely valuable lessons for all of humanity, if we only take the time to listen to them openly and non-judgementally. Kipling entitled this poem A Tree Song, and it is to be found in the story Weland's Sword. Both the tale and the song set the mood and pattern for all the stories and poems which follow. The tune is intended to recall those of some of the old wassail and ritual songs. In By Ash, Oak and Thorn (May 2021) three Hidden Folk no bigger than your hand wake from their winter sleep in the hollow trunk of an old ash tree. Moss, Burnet and Cumulus usually love spring, but their joy turns to worry when they discover that Cumulus, the oldest, is starting to fade away. Guided by birds, stars and wild creatures the trio leave their beloved home in search of answers. Other Hidden Folk are rumoured to live in an ancient oak on the bank of a stream, deep in the countryside. But they soon learn that they must travel to a loud, busy and danger-filled place called The Hive…In her Note from the Author, she tells us that “ the only creature that’s forgotten how to communicate with the Wild World is we humans.” Thankfully her tone is never preachy or overtly political; she makes her views known clearly and firmly and you are never in doubt as to where she stands. However, I also will definitely be buying a physical copy to read to my children, and forsee it being a story we will revisit time and time again. I am adoring the folklore and mystery of the hidden folk, and I love that there is just enough fantasy and adventure balanced with cozy moments. As a homebody, I appreciate the hidden folk’s desire to feel at home somewhere and the description of all their little comforts wherever they can go. With the simplistic eco-ism, babyish emotional lessons and mild peril it feels like much younger fare than the novel-length it’s stretched to here. The story follows the journey of three little people – Moss, Burnet and Cumulus, as they travel from the relative safety of their home in the garden of 52 Ash Row (Suburbia, Ash), to the dangers of The Hive (City, Thorn) via the springtime countryside (Oak).
BY ASH, OAK AND THORN - Chicken House Books BY ASH, OAK AND THORN - Chicken House Books
The description in this book, the turn of phrase and the language are just exemplary. It would be perfect for reading aloud to a class, or sharing together before bedtime. There are wonderful little vignettes and moments of pause, where the character reflect on a theme or emotion, such as fear or friendship, and discuss it. But these moments don't seem forced, the characters often talk together to find a solution and a way forward. These moments of pause and reflect are perfect for opening discussions with children and young people around emotions and wellbeing. Cumulus, Burnet und Moss sind Hidden Folk - kleine Naturgeister, die seit Jahrhunderten in einem hohlen Baumstamm inmitten eines verwilderten Gartens leben und sich um Flora und Fauna ihrer unmittelbaren Umgebung kümmern. Doch als ein Frühjahrsunwetter ihr Zuhause zerstört und Cumulus beginnt, durchsichtig zu werden, müssen sich die drei unweigerlich auf eine abenteuerliche Reise aufmachen...During my reading I was asking myself the obvious questions – what have we done to our planet? And why have we allowed this to happen? The book is a love letter to the earth in crisis and Melissa Harrison’s story confronts my questions, and many others, by showing us a Wild World that is disappearing at a frighteningly rapid rate and exploring mankind’s relationship with the natural world. The author never suggests that we Mortals are natural destroyers but that we are just ignorant and misguided. The journey is made in an attempt to discover if they are now the last of their kind or if the persistent rumours that more Hidden Folk are alive and well in the countryside are true. Along the way, they meet many wild creatures and overcome many obstacles and they are transported by rides from deer and pigeons. Moss tells us that the rides were Three tiny, ancient beings – Moss, Burnet and Cumulus, once revered as Guardians and caretakers of the Wild World – wake from winter hibernation in their beloved ash tree home. But when it is destroyed, they set off on an adventure to find more of their kind, a journey which takes them first into the deep countryside and then the heart of a city. Helped along the way by birds and animals, the trio search for a way to survive and thrive in a precious yet disappearing world ...
Celtic sacred trees - Wikipedia Celtic sacred trees - Wikipedia
It's the kind of book that makes me want to go outside and try to notice and take care of every little thing surrounding me. Movingly she expresses the sadness of our broken relationship with the Wild World – “ Mortals often harm the Wild World, knowingly and unknowingly – but that’s only because they don’t know we are their brothers and sisters. Just imagine how lonely that must be ….I think that is a terrible burden to bear.” I really appreciated how the story was written. The descriptions of the wild world, the animals met by the Hidden Folk, etc. were both very precise and true yet whimsical. While Harrison peppers in plenty of flora and fauna names her presentation of the worm’s-eye-view natural world never feels more than superficially informed. She never conjures a sense of deep knowledge or immersion. We’re told to care about the natural world - or rather, chided for not doing so - but the book doesn’t do much to convince of its wonder and value.It arrived with a seed paper tag attached to the cover and I was soon happily engaged and following the instructions – Plant, Water, Sun, Grow – and potting the seed paper. I have been promised flowers and I hope I’m not disappointed.
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