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The Lost Words cover art

The Lost Words

By: Robert Macfarlane,Jackie Morris
Narrated by: Guy Garvey,Edith Bowman,Benjamin Zephaniah,Cerys Matthews
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Summary

Penguin presents the audiobook edition of The Lost Words by Robert Macfarlane and Jackie Morris, read by Edith Bowman, Guy Garvey, Cerys Matthews and Benjamin Zephaniah.

THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER

WINNER OF THE BEAUTIFUL BOOK AWARD

BRITISH BOOK AWARDS CHILDREN'S BOOK OF THE YEAR 2018

The book that has taken root in schools across Britain, inspired creative thinkers, young and old, and restored the vanishing poetry of nature.

All over the country, there are words disappearing from children's lives. These are the words of the natural world; Dandelion, Otter, Bramble and Acorn, all gone. A wild landscape of imagination and play is rapidly fading from our children's minds.

The Lost Words stands against the disappearance of wild childhood. It is a joyful celebration - in art and word - of nearby nature and its wonders. With acrostic spell-poems by award-winning writer Robert Macfarlane and illustrations by Jackie Morris, this enchanting book evokes the irreplaceable magic of language and nature for all ages.

Across a rich and vivid natural soundscape, Edith Bowman, Guy Garvey, Cerys Matthews and Benjamin Zephaniah, iconic voices of modern Britain, bring the magic of nature and language to listeners. Through captivating readings, wonderful natural recordings and more, the audio edition of The Lost Words is a stunning celebration of the nature and the power of language.

Includes listening notes by Chris Watson, wildlife and natural phenomena recordist, as a downloadable PDF.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio on our Desktop Site.

©2018 Robert Macfarlane (P)2018 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

"My top book of the year...It is one of those children's books for ages up to 99 years. The lost words are those my generation and earlier ones used every day and which are fast disappearing, and Macfarlane's aim is to resurrect the everyday glories of our language. May he succeed." (Susan Hill) 

"Rapturously received celebration of nature." (The New Statesman)

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What listeners say about The Lost Words

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Pure magic!

I loved the book of The Lost Words already, but as it is meant to be spoken out loud and shared, to hear it read by these wonderful voices, now I love it even more. It was destined to be fabulous in this format and didn't disappoint!

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20 people found this helpful

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Very sweet

This is a lovely bit of whimsy. Very soothing to listen to on audio, and a nice way to get your nature fix in the middle of winter.

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11 people found this helpful

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Unfolding the old magic ...

... in the form of Speaking aloud Robert Macfarlane’s glorious spell poems. Lifting these Odes to nature words, excised from the Oxford Junior Dictionary, lofting them to the winds, carried on birdsong, to where they may rest on fertile ground, as dandelion seeds.

Drift with these seconds of children’s time, speak aloud these spells, be caressed by the voice of Cerys, ensure these words, these plants, these creatures remain found.

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11 people found this helpful

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absolutely fabulous

This is an incredible book, with wonderful "spells" and the most exquisite illustrations, As well as listening to this fabulous audio book, buy a copy and read along!

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8 people found this helpful

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Simply lovely

This is for adults as much as for children. Delicious poetry, drawing us to a closer connection with the natural world.

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6 people found this helpful

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The Lost Words

I loved the book. I am a teacher Forest school practitioner and I’ve shared it with 10 year olds and under. It is a fantastic reading the soundtrack is amazing those wonderful moments in nature. The readings are wonderful Benjamin Zephaniah was my favourite. Thank you again Robert Macfarlane for writing this amazing book.

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1 person found this helpful

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SORRY I LOST MY WORDS!

Sorry I lost my words, this is pure magic, magnificent production!
A mini Kindle book of this delicious poetry would be nice too.

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Lovely background musical words

Didn't change my world but made it a little more peaceful in the short 47 minutes that this recording lasts. Things do change and writing like this reminds us of such changes.

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Perfection

The birdsong, trickling water and other sounds accompanying the narration show how the right book, with the right readers, can be transcended through the audiobooks format. A lovely listed on a car journey.

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Poetry in Motion

I'm not into poetry, but this book is a little gem. Lots of poems about the natural world, well read and with the sound of birdsong in the background. Perfect for a spring day!

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