The sequel to The Lost Words – the only Macfarlane book I've not read, despite it quite possibly being his best seller (I always assumed I'd happen across a copy in a library one day, back when that was still a thing that happened). These are intended as summonings to bring back the natural world, which made me a little puzzled why the book would begin with fox, moth, daisy – surely ones to file alongside humans, ants and the coronavirus among the few life-forms still in ample supply in 2020s Britain. But it makes sense to start a grimoire easy, doesn't it, before moving on to the more rarely seen beasts, the hares and curlews? I can see how the poems would be joys to read aloud, evoking as they do the chitter-chatter of jackdaws, the effortless twists and turns of swifts. Jackie Morris' pictures are a perfect complement, with just that mixture of the cosy and the numinous (the Estonians have a word for it) that I always love in nature illustrations. The overall mood is often bittersweet, as how couldn't it be given what we've done to nature, but most of all celebratory - and at least once, in the dialogue between woodpecker and badger, which could almost be a children's book unto itself, very funny.

Many thanks to the author, publishers and Netgalley for a free ARC of this ebook.
I am not going to labour any points about this book, other than to say it is stunning. It is beautiful. It is beyond any imagining one of the best books I have ever had the privilege to read. The poetry took me way beyond where I thought I could ever be, the art work is sublime. I would buy this book for the people that I Iove the most. I am so grateful that I have had the opportunity to read it.

A beautiful, beautiful book. The Lost Spells certainly cast a spell on me. Robert MacFarlane never fails to surprise me, each book getting better and better. I've read four of his books now and loved them all. Also a big shout out to Jackie Morris, her illustrations are truly stunning. The Lost Spells is top of my Christmas wish list.
Thank you NetGalley and the author for the opportunity to read this amazing book. 5+ stars!

Can't fault it. The poems are all lovely. Mostly they are acrostic poems but with many different styles so I'm sure children will love to pick their favourites. Of course the illustrations by Jackie Morris are available gorgeous too. I'm sure we'll sell many copies in our shop!