Join legendary illustrator Jackie Morris (The Lost Words and The Seal Children), authors Nicola Davies (A First Book of the Sea and LOTS: The Diversity of Life on Earth), M.G. Leonard (Beetle Queen and Battle of the Beetles) and Lauren St John (Dolphin Song and Kat Wolfe Investigates) for a special event. All four are part of Authors4Oceans, founded by Lauren St John to inspire the book industry, and young and old readers, to tackle plastic pollution and other marine conservation issues. There will be live drawing and tales about dolphin rescues, humpback whales, coral reef diving and the power of storytelling and illustration to spark action to save our seas.
The Kate Greenaway Medal-winning artist revisits her masterpiece The Lost Words and discusses the new collaboration on Geiriau Diflanedig – a Welsh-language version of Robert Macfarlane’s original text with the multi-award-winning poet Mererid Hopwood. She also introduces the 'lost classic' of nature writing, The House Without Windows by Barbara Newhall Follett, a fearless odyssey into a dreamtime of wildness and enchantment. The book is gloriously illuminated by Jackie Morris's moving art; this is a work of strange power for our bewildering times. Jackie will be painting a red fox onstage. Chaired by Peter Florence.
The artist, co-creator of the Book of the Year, talks about the extraordinary project to reclaim and celebrate The Lost Words whilst she paints live onstage. She is accompanied by the music and song of Kerry Andrew performing the spells. All over the country, there are words disappearing from children’s lives. These are the words of the natural world – dandelion, otter, bramble, acorn – all gone. The rich landscape of wild imagination and wild play is rapidly fading from our children’s minds. Morris and her poet-spellcaster, Robert Macfarlane, have created a joyful celebration of nature words and the natural world they invoke. They capture the irreplaceable magic of language and nature for all ages.
Sponsored by Richard Booth’s Bookshop, which is hosting an exhibition of Jackie’s work until 31 August 2018
Artist and illustrator of The Lost Words, written by Robert Macfarlane, The Ice Bear, Tell Me a Dragon and Song of the Golden Hare leads an art and story workshop in the landscape, for adults. Sketchbooks and pencils will be provided but bring your own if you wish. The workshop will be by the River Wye looking at river wildlife (but there is a wet-weather plan should it rain).
The amazing story of Ffion Rees and the peregrine falcon she rescued from the sea off the remote coast of west Wales. It’s the story of how Ffion nursed the falcon back to life and back to the wild, and about the bond that grew between the two. Beautifully illustrated throughout with photographs, drawings, sketches and magnificent paintings in watercolour and gold leaf by Jackie Morris.
The artist and illustrator of The Lost Words, written by Robert Macfarlane, The Ice Bear, Tell Me a Dragon and Song of the Golden Hare leads an art workshop in the landscape, for adults. Please bring sketchbooks, pencils, ink and brushes. The workshop will be by the River Wye, learning to listen as well as to look, capturing movement and river wildlife.
Please wear appropriate footwear. Numbers are limited. Return to Festival site by 12pm.
This magical new book from the creators of the literary phenomenon and Hay Festival Book of the Year 2017, The Lost Words, introduces a beautiful new set of natural spell-poems and artwork by the creative duo Robert Macfarlane and Jackie Morris. As in The Lost Words, these ‘spells’ take their subjects from relatively commonplace but under-appreciated, animals, birds, trees and flowers – from Barn Owl to Red Fox, Grey Seal to Silver Birch, Jay to Jackdaw. But they find new shapes, new spaces and new voices with which to conjure. Dazzingly inventive, they are written to be read aloud, painted in brushstrokes that call to the forest, field, riverbank and to the heart. The Lost Spells summons back what is often lost from sight and care, and inspires protection and action on behalf of the natural world. Above all, it celebrates a sense of wonder, bearing witness to nature's power to amaze, console and bring joy. Featuring the Silver Birch Spell, a beautiful new video that will premiere at Hay.
The creators of this year’s most staggeringly beautiful book read and present their collaboration. All over the country, there are words disappearing from children’s lives. These are the words of the natural world – dandelion, otter, bramble, acorn – all gone. The rich landscape of wild imagination and wild play is rapidly fading from our children’s minds. Macfarlane and Morris offer a joyful celebration of nature words and the natural world they invoke. With acrostic spell-poems by award-winning writer Robert Macfarlane and hand-painted illustrations by Jackie Morris, this enchanting book captures the irreplaceable magic of language and nature for all ages.
The Lost Words is our Hay Festival Book of the Year 2017
Join eight leading folk musicians for an evening of enchanting new commissions based on the book The Lost Words by Robert Macfarlane and Jackie Morris.
The musicians are singer-songwriter Karine Polwart, Gaelic singer Julie Fowlis, kora player Seckou Keita, Scottish contemporary folk musician and songwriter Kris Drever, British composer Kerry Andrew, singer and harpist Rachel Newton, cellist Beth Porter and multi-instrumentalist Jim Molyneux.
Spell Songs engages deeply with landscape and nature, to respond to the creatures, art and language of The Lost Words - A Spell Book. Spell Songs will allow these acclaimed and diverse musicians to weave together elements of British folk music, Senegalese folk traditions, experimental and classical music, and create an inspiring new body of work.
Featuring live painting by Jackie Morris.
See also event [103]
A connection with trees and woods helps people find inspiration, inner calm and mental balance. Author and journalist Tobias Jones and poet Zaffar Kunial are both featured in Arboreal, a Common Ground collection of woodland writing. They are joined by the illustrator Jackie Morris to discuss the role of trees and woods in finding inspiration and mental balance in our lives.
