LOST FOR WORDS
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BASED ON THE LOST WORDS BOOK
Since The Lost Words’ publication in October 2017, this book has had a transformative effect on all who have encountered it. Described as a ‘cultural phenomenon’ in the Guardian, it has become a huge bestseller, has taken root in thousands of schools across Britain, been widely acclaimed as an instant classic, won numerous prizes, and inspired many creative thinkers, young and old. It was shortlisted in 2017 as one of Britain’s favourite books of all time on the natural world.
The Lost Words is a ‘book of spells’ that seeks to conjure back the near-lost magic and strangeness of the nature that surrounds us. It transcends age barriers inspiring children and moving adults with its wide appeal. It is a large hardback book illustrated beautifully by Jackie Morris. Each lost word is conjured back to importance through Robert Macfarlane's powerful spells. They are called ‘spells’ rather than poems as they are designed to be spoken out loud in order to summon back these words and creatures into our hearts.
Robert explains: "We’ve got more than 50% of species in decline. And names, good names, well used can help us see and they help us care. We find it hard to love what we cannot give a name to. And what we do not love we will not save.”
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OTHER PROJECTS...
RE-WILDING
The book has taken on a 'wild life' of its own with the sparks of inspiration taking it in numerous creative directions.
A touring exhibition of Jackie's artwork and Robert's spells began at Compton Verney, a stately home near Stratford upon Avon and has toured from The Foundling Museum in London to Inverleith House at the Royal Botanic Gardens in Edinburgh.
An important and popular musical project, the Spell Songs, was born from the book and has given two beautiful folk albums created by a group of renown folk musicians (such as Julie Fowlis and Karine Polwart).
A major work for children’s choir and orchestra has been commissioned from composer James Burton by the Boston Symphony (USA) and Hallé Orchestra (Manchester, UK).
The spoken-word specialist Collette Murray created, in collaboration with Wild Rumpus, an immersive 'recital' project of The Lost Words, with spells spoken by famous people emerging from trees and speakers, a stage set, performed at Timber, the inaugural Forestry Commission Festival in the National Forest in Derbyshire.
AWARDS AND PRIZES
And so the re-wilding begins from a grass roots level as the book was distributed, through community efforts, in all primary and secondary schools around the United-Kingdom, inspiring the youth to go into nature with curiosity.
Eva John has brilliantly written and designed a free-to-download 'Explorer's Guide' to The Lost Words, which is being widely used by teachers and educators across the world. It can be downloaded for free from the John Muir Trust, who have supported the book generously from the beginning of its life.
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Winner: Children's Book of the Year 2018 at the British Book of the Year Awards
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Shortlisted: BBC Countryfile Magazine Awards 2018: Country Book of the Year
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Shortlisted: Waterstones Book of the Year 2017
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Shortlisted: The UK's Favourite Nature Book