The moment one fathoms this, it seems nothing less than an elemental sacrilege not to go through our days — these alms from chance — in a state of perpetual ecstasy over every living thing we encounter, not to reverence every oak and every owl and every leaf of grass as a living benediction. Amy-Jane Beer, a writer and naturalist who led a successful campaign to get The Lost Words into more than 600 schools in north and east Yorkshire, said the book conveyed the “profound wild magic” of the natural world to children and adults. What we’re trying to do is make birds visible to people who don’t see them because a lot of people pay them no regard. As well as being a celebration of their spellbinding work, this new exhibition is a chance for visitors to learn more about Britain’s native species, many of which can be found in Northumberland National Park, and how together we can protect them for future generations to enjoy. For me, personally, that book was beautiful but too large (impractical) and seeing this new collaboration, I probably wasn't the only one.

Writer, Robert Macfarlane, said: “The fabulously varied landscapes of the North East are close to my heart – from coast to moor, forest to hill-top – so it’s a joy to see our book The Lost Spells at the centre of this brilliantly curated and original exhibition at The Sill. I hope that it will help visitors young and old to listen afresh to nature’s wild wonders, and to tune in to the lives, songs and voices of the creatures and plants with whom we share the world.” Educated at Nottingham High School, Pembroke College, Cambridge and Magdalen College, Oxford, he is currently a Fellow of Emmanuel College, Cambridge, and teaches in the Faculty of English at Cambridge. The Guardian ★★★★ The Stage ★★★★★ Musical Theatre Review ★★★★★ Theatre Weekly ★★★★ Fairy Powered Productions ★★★★ Broadway World All the actors excelled with each one striking a perfect chord between comedic timing and a serious tone when matters of the environment were brought to the forefront. The spells are even better and I love the fact that it says explicitly ‘this is a book of spells to be spoken aloud’. Everything about it is absolutely beautiful and we will be getting behind it in a big way,” he said.

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Her portrayal of a 12 year old who is struggling to understand her place in society was believable and relatable. TheFolk by the Oak festival team, proud commissioners of Spell Songs, were thrilled with the release of this wonderfully inventive, dazzlingly beautiful bookand the opportunity to create new music with the Spell Songs Ensemble!

Beguiling but hard to classify, she calls it “a lullaby in a minor key” and hopes it will find readers amid bookshops’ “cacophony of stories”.

Gr 6 Up—A collaborative work of compelling words and stunning images that illuminate the wonder of nature. "Spells" is an accurate depiction of this title, as the poetry and soft colors of the illustrations weave magic over readers and transport them into the woods. From moths emerging from the darkness to owls swooping upon prey, the action of flight is a repeated theme and emphasizes how freedom can be found through language and art. Macfarlane and Morris provide a truly enchanting meeting of kindred spirits. Readers are challenged to seek out adventure in nature and find a way to share it with others. VERDICT This is poetry for those who claim not to like poetry. Highly recommended for any library, and as a gift for all lovers of language and art.— Elizabeth Speer, Weatherford Coll., TX School Library Journal I loved this book; it’s a book I will revisit and a book I will encourage others to read because despite increasing decline and modernisation, the natural world is still on our doorstep: she is still there if we are willing to look and to appreciate her. Lets make an effort to understand her magic and (better yet) keep it alive. ROBERT MACFARLANE is a Fellow of Emmanuel College, Cambridge, and the author of a number of bestselling and prize-winning books, including The Wild Places, The Old Ways, Holloway, Landmarks, and Underland, which won the Wainwright Prize. His work has been translated into many languages and widely adapted for film, television, and radio. The American Academy of Arts and Letters awarded him the E. M. Forster Award for Literature in 2017. He is a word collector and mountain climber — and he has three children who have taught him more about the world than any book.