“After nourishment, shelter and companionship, stories are the thing we need most in the world.”
Philip Pullman
“Stories have to be told or they die, and when they die, we can’t remember who we are or why we’re here.”
Sue Monk Kidd, The Secret Life of Bees
“There is no greater power on this earth than story.”
Libba Bray, The Diviners
“Tell me the facts and I’ll learn.
Tell me the truth and I’ll believe,
But tell me a story and it will
Live in the heart forever.”
Native American Proverb
Stories are the human way of sharing celebrations, honouring people, showing respect, processing thoughts and feelings, recording events and issuing warnings.
Stories are, and have always been, how we send and receive messages.
Earth, Sea and Stars is a beautiful anthology of traditional stories, myths and fables from around the world. Stories about nature. Stories that have been told around the globe, passed down through generations, stories with messages and morals about the protection and stewardship of our planet. Stories about respecting the earth, savouring and celebrating nature’s magnificence. Stories steered by awe and wonder and curiosity.
These are timeless stories with messages as relevant now as ever, with warnings we need to heed. In these stories characters are punished who do not treasure the earth and all she provides, those who respect and care for the planet are rewarded.
These beautifully illustrated tales are for telling, reading aloud. They are for discussing and for inspiring young children to protect our planet and all who live upon it.
Through the pages of this book children can travel the world, across vast continents, through deep forests, over mighty mountains, down rivers and beneath the sea. Children can join the bold and the brave as they sail to the moon, make fire, find the summer and grow orchards of friendships.
These tales are told with the wisdom of ancient elders running through them but their messages and morals are for us, for now. Each of these stories remind little readers and their grown ups to care for and respect our precious world.
This is a treasury perfect for family reading, brilliant for bedtime and designed for debate and discussion. The stunning artwork means that this book would make a gorgeous gift for any young naturalist. We have loved exploring Earth, Sea and Stars together. It is a book that we will return to time and time again, and definitely a book we will be buying for friends and family in the future. It is the perfect book for Earth Day and all days.
“Take care of our fragile planet;
Protect all forms of life …
… Do not take the Earth for granted,
Or you may lose everything.”
“The Earth is sacred and so are all the things that grow upon it. We know this, and we respect the web of life. But there will come a time when your children’s children will forget this wisdom. When this happens, sorrow and hunger will reign. And the reign will never end until their grandchildren understand the only lesson that matters – respect and protect the Earth.”