The Lost Words

The Lost Words is a large-format illustrated book that combines acrostic poems with watercolor paintings of nature words that were removed from the Oxford Junior Dictionary. Each entry features three paintings and a "spell" that brings these words - like acorn, kingfisher, and wren - back into focus. The poems use wordplay and careful observation to reconnect readers with common yet vanishing elements of the natural world. Artist Jackie Morris's paintings show both the absence and presence of each subject through gold leaf, natural settings, and precise wildlife renderings. The collaboration between writer Robert Macfarlane and artist Jackie Morris creates a bridge between visual art, poetry, and environmentalism. The work stands as a response to the fading of nature-based vocabulary from modern children's lexicons and daily lives. The book explores themes of preservation - not just of words, but of human connections to the wild world. Through art and language, it suggests that naming and noticing nature remains vital to understanding our place within it.

Readers praise the detailed illustrations and watercolor artwork, with many noting how the paintings capture animals and plants with scientific accuracy while maintaining artistic beauty. Parents and teachers report children spending long periods examining the images and learning the vocabulary. The oversized format (11" x 15") receives positive mentions for displaying the artwork, though some find it impractical for young children to handle. A few readers note the book works better as a coffee table display than a practical children's book. The poetic "spells" draw mixed responses - many appreciate their creativity, while others find them too complex for children to understand without adult explanation. Ratings: Goodreads: 4.5/5 (2,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.8/5 (3,100+ ratings) Common reader comments: "The illustrations alone are worth the price" "Beautiful but not very accessible for young kids" "A book to be shared between generations" "More an art book than a children's book" "The size makes it awkward to read at bedtime"

The Dictionary of Lost Words by Pip Williams A historical narrative follows the creation of the Oxford English Dictionary through words that were excluded, focusing on those relating to women's and working-class experiences.

Outside Your Window: A First Book of Nature by Nicola Davies Poetry and detailed illustrations connect children to the natural world through observations of plants, animals, and seasonal changes.

Once Upon a Northern Night by Jean E. Pendziwol Lyrical text and paintings capture the transformation of a northern landscape during a winter night, celebrating nature's subtle details.

The Big Book of Words and Pictures by Ole Könnecke A collection pairs simple words with illustrations to preserve everyday objects and experiences through careful observation and documentation.

The Lost Species: Great Expeditions in the Collections of Natural History Museums by Christopher Kemp A chronicle traces the discovery and documentation of extinct species through museum specimens and field notes.

🌿 The book was created in response to the Oxford Junior Dictionary removing nature words like "acorn" and "kingfisher" in favor of technological terms, sparking a public outcry about children's disconnection from nature. 🎨 Each word in the book is presented three times: first as a spell of letters scattered across the page, then in its "lost" state, and finally as an "found" acrostic poem accompanied by Jackie Morris's stunning watercolor illustrations. 🦊 The book has inspired a grassroots movement to get copies into every primary school in the UK, with crowdfunding campaigns successfully placing thousands of copies in schools across Scotland, Wales, and England. 🎵 Musicians have created "Spell Songs," an album and performance project based on the book, featuring folk artists like Karine Polwart and Julie Fowlis setting the "spells" to music. 🏆 The book measures an impressive 14.4 x 11 inches, making it intentionally oversized to create an immersive experience and allow readers to "fall into" the detailed illustrations and carefully crafted text.