{"id":36427,"date":"2019-07-31T23:06:04","date_gmt":"2019-08-01T03:06:04","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/sonderbooks.com\/blog\/?p=36427"},"modified":"2019-07-31T23:06:04","modified_gmt":"2019-08-01T03:06:04","slug":"review-of-the-lost-words-by-robert-macfarlane-and-jackie-morris","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sonderbooks.com\/blog\/?p=36427","title":{"rendered":"Review of The Lost Words, by Robert MacFarlane and Jackie Morris"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>The Lost Words<\/p>\n

A Spell Book<\/em><\/p>\n

by Robert MacFarlane and Jackie Morris<\/p>\n

Anansi Press, 2018. First published in the United Kingdom in 2017. 132 pages.
\nStarred Review
\nReview written July 6, 2019, from a library book<\/p>\n

This gorgeous book focuses on twenty words from nature that had been removed from the latest edition of the Oxford Junior Dictionary<\/em> — acorn, adder, bluebell, bramble, conker, dandelion, fern, heather, heron, ivy, kingfisher, lark, magpie, newt, otter, raven, starling, weasel, willow,<\/em> and wren.<\/em><\/p>\n

The book is large, oversized, and heavy, making it awe-inspiring. The only trouble I see with that is I can\u2019t imagine children carrying it around to read it over and over. This is a coffee table book that\u2019s physically heavy to pick up. Perhaps they could make a small version for everyday use? Though this one is stunning.<\/p>\n

Each word first has a simple spread where the lost word is hidden among other letters, but highlighted in a different color. Then we have an acrostic poem featuring the word with a painting of the object on the facing page. Next there is a full-color glorious painting on the following spread.<\/p>\n

I had gotten through almost the entire book before I realized that these poems absolutely must be read aloud. I went back and made up for my mistake of trying to read them silently. The poems are magnificent. I will highlight a few stanzas with wordplay I especially like.<\/p>\n

From the Willow<\/em> poem:<\/p>\n

Willow, when the wind blows so your branches billow,
\nO will you whisper while we listen so we learn what
\nwords your long leaves loosen?<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

From the Otter<\/em> poem:<\/p>\n

This swift swimmer\u2019s a silver-miner \u2013 with
\ntrout its ore it bores each black pool deep
\nand deeper, delves up-current steep and
\nsteeper, turns the water inside-out, then
\ninside-outer.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

From the Fern<\/em> poem:<\/p>\n

Reach, roll and unfold follows.
\nFern flares.<\/em><\/p>\n

Now fern is fully fanned.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

From the heron<\/em> poem, coming just after the marvelous line that the heron \u201cmagically . . . unstatues<\/em>:<\/p>\n

Out of the water creaks long-legs heron,
\nold-priest heron, from hereon in all sticks
\nand planks and rubber-bands, all clanks and
\nclicks and rusty squeaks.<\/p>\n

Now heron hauls himself into flight \u2013 early
\naviator, heavy freighter \u2013 and with steady
\nwingbeats boosts his way through evening
\nlight to roost.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

From the Ivy<\/em> poem:<\/p>\n

You call me ground-cover; I say sky-wire.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

May this magnificent book open our eyes again to nature.<\/p>\n

johnmuirtrust.org\/initiatives\/the-lost-words<\/a>
\nhouseofanansi.com<\/a><\/p>\n

Buy from Amazon.com<\/a><\/p>\n

Find this review on Sonderbooks<\/a> at: www.sonderbooks.com\/Childrens_Nonfiction\/lost_words.html<\/a><\/p>\n

Disclosure: I am an Amazon Affiliate, and will earn a small percentage if you order a book on Amazon after clicking through from my site.<\/p>\n

Disclaimer: I am a professional librarian, but I maintain my website and blogs on my own time. The views expressed are solely my own, and in no way represent the official views of my employer or of any committee or group of which I am part.<\/p>\n

Tweet<\/a>