Richard Irvine is a qualified teacher with a love of the outdoors and over 20 years' experience in the field of outdoor learning. An accomplished greenwood carver, he brings woodcraft into his work wherever possible through progressing children’s skills at Forest School and running professional development workshops and recreational carving days for adults. He is the author of Forest Craft and Forest School, published by GMC Publications. He lives in Devon.

This charming new book, by experienced Forest School teacher Richard Irvine, offers a perfect way to introduce children to whittling, as well as encouraging them to explore their local woodlands. The aim is to get kids as hands-on as possible – with appropriate adult supervision – so the book begins with an overview of the essential tools along with clearly illustrated guides to cutting, carving and knife-sharpening techniques. There’s also a handy guide to identifying the tree species most commonly found in our woodlands. The main part of the book is made up of 20 carving projects, varying in difficulty but all achievable for children. Only small quantities of wood are needed to make these projects, which could be sourced from pruned branches (with permission from the land owner) or fallen wood found on the forest floor. The items to make include a kazoo, duck caller, whistle, spud gun, stick people, magic wand, beads and carved fungi. Each one is explained in easy-to-follow steps, and kids are sure to enjoy playing with them as much as they love making them. Best of all, the book’s handy size makes it easy to pack in your bag and take it with you on your next woodland walk – an excellent way to inspire the next generation of carvers and nature lovers.

• Tools and equipmentWhich woods to useTechniquesProjectsElder beadsLittle potMini furnitureDuck callerFrog stickWhimmy didleElder whistleKazooFairytale fungiFeather sticksA skulk of foxesWhiskMagic elder wantTiny pine treesStick peopleStanbaumGypsy flowersRhythm sticksElder spud gunDart gunFinishing and decoratingResources

Richard Irvine is a qualified teacher with a love of the outdoors and over 20 years' experience in the field of outdoor learning. An accomplished greenwood carver, he brings woodcraft into his work wherever possible through progressing children’s skills at Forest School and running professional development workshops and recreational carving days for adults. He is the author of Forest Craft and Forest School, published by GMC Publications. He lives in Devon.

This charming new book, by experienced Forest School teacher Richard Irvine, offers a perfect way to introduce children to whittling, as well as encouraging them to explore their local woodlands. The aim is to get kids as hands-on as possible – with appropriate adult supervision – so the book begins with an overview of the essential tools along with clearly illustrated guides to cutting, carving and knife-sharpening techniques. There’s also a handy guide to identifying the tree species most commonly found in our woodlands. The main part of the book is made up of 20 carving projects, varying in difficulty but all achievable for children. Only small quantities of wood are needed to make these projects, which could be sourced from pruned branches (with permission from the land owner) or fallen wood found on the forest floor. The items to make include a kazoo, duck caller, whistle, spud gun, stick people, magic wand, beads and carved fungi. Each one is explained in easy-to-follow steps, and kids are sure to enjoy playing with them as much as they love making them. Best of all, the book’s handy size makes it easy to pack in your bag and take it with you on your next woodland walk – an excellent way to inspire the next generation of carvers and nature lovers.

• Tools and equipmentWhich woods to useTechniquesProjectsElder beadsLittle potMini furnitureDuck callerFrog stickWhimmy didleElder whistleKazooFairytale fungiFeather sticksA skulk of foxesWhiskMagic elder wantTiny pine treesStick peopleStanbaumGypsy flowersRhythm sticksElder spud gunDart gunFinishing and decoratingResources

Richard Irvine is a qualified teacher with a love of the outdoors and over 20 years' experience in the field of outdoor learning. An accomplished greenwood carver, he brings woodcraft into his work wherever possible through progressing children’s skills at Forest School and running professional development workshops and recreational carving days for adults. He is the author of Forest Craft and Forest School, published by GMC Publications. He lives in Devon.

This charming new book, by experienced Forest School teacher Richard Irvine, offers a perfect way to introduce children to whittling, as well as encouraging them to explore their local woodlands. The aim is to get kids as hands-on as possible – with appropriate adult supervision – so the book begins with an overview of the essential tools along with clearly illustrated guides to cutting, carving and knife-sharpening techniques. There’s also a handy guide to identifying the tree species most commonly found in our woodlands. The main part of the book is made up of 20 carving projects, varying in difficulty but all achievable for children. Only small quantities of wood are needed to make these projects, which could be sourced from pruned branches (with permission from the land owner) or fallen wood found on the forest floor. The items to make include a kazoo, duck caller, whistle, spud gun, stick people, magic wand, beads and carved fungi. Each one is explained in easy-to-follow steps, and kids are sure to enjoy playing with them as much as they love making them. Best of all, the book’s handy size makes it easy to pack in your bag and take it with you on your next woodland walk – an excellent way to inspire the next generation of carvers and nature lovers.

• Tools and equipmentWhich woods to useTechniquesProjectsElder beadsLittle potMini furnitureDuck callerFrog stickWhimmy didleElder whistleKazooFairytale fungiFeather sticksA skulk of foxesWhiskMagic elder wantTiny pine treesStick peopleStanbaumGypsy flowersRhythm sticksElder spud gunDart gunFinishing and decoratingResources