By Ash, Oak and Thorn - A Review


 

By Ash, Oak and Thorn 

Written by Melissa Harrison
Illustrated by Lauren O'Hara
Published by Chicken House, 2021

 

This is a story about three tiny, ancient beings: Moss, Burnet and Cumulus. Known as the Hidden Folk and once celebrated as guardians of the Wild World, they wake from winter hibernation in their cherished ash tree home in a world where Mortals now have authority over the creatures and places that the Hidden Folk once cared for. When a terrible storm topples the ash tree, they set off on an adventure to try and find more of their kind. It’s a journey which takes them both deep into the countryside and into the heart of a city, known as the Mortal Hive. There is great concern along the way. Both Cumulus and Burnet experience disappearing limbs in response to the changing world, a world where Mortals are no longer aware of the secret world of wild creatures and don’t speak their language, Wild Argot. It’s from this that a central message of the book springs: one of observing, listening, engaging with and taking care of the natural world around us.

 

There is so much to admire. Nature writing for children has been blooming in recent times and the book couldn’t be more relevant to the environmental concerns of today. An established nature writer for adults, Melissa Harrison weaves lots of interesting facts about wildlife into the narrative, but what’s so engaging is the folklore and mythology that runs through the story; a kind of magic that will engage children’s imaginative sense. There's humour too; Hidden Folk delicacies such as popped pollen and beechnut flapjacks are inspired. Not only are we treated to a cracking quest story, the author finishes by suggesting what wildlife to look out for during the different months of the year and also suggests things to read, watch and do at the back of the book. 

 

This is a great read for children in Key Stage 2, and would make a good text for any adventure or quest story teaching in English. The broader themes of environmental issues and custodianship will make it relevant to Geography and PSHCE learning also.

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