Elena Mannion – författare

A lyrical story featuring charming characters, encouraging nature connection, empathy and positive action. Illustrated in stunning detail by Erin Brown, children will enjoy spotting a multitude of accurately depicted creatures and gain understanding of the interdependence of species. Old Oak and Mr Shield, his shield bug friend, are worried: summer has been long and dry, and there are fewer insects and birds in the Barley Field. The harvest is poor, the farmer troubled. At a dramatic meeting Stag Beetle tells the winged insects it is time to leave and fi nd food elsewhere. But the farmer has already made a plan: Old Oak and his friends celebrate when the Barley Field transforms into a glorious wild flower meadow, welcoming back old friends and new.

Somewhere in the folds of the countryside, Old Oak lives content and fulfilled in his hedgerow by the barley field. When the farmer pulls up the Far Hedgerow one day, Old Oak is dismayed. Can he care for all the fleeing birds? The field is now too open, and the wind and rain are carrying away the soil! Will a new farmer make the field a happy home again?

Old Oak is having a mast year - a year of plentiful fruit! Little Acorn grows happily right by his nose, and never wants to leave the tree. Then, when a brisk wind blows, and he tumbles to the ground, a whole new life must begin! Carried away by a squirrel, and buried in a strange place, he must survive all the perils of walkers, insects, deer and other wildlife. Finally emerging as a sturdy little sapling, he discovers he is still in the barley field, growing near Old Oak, whose sap rises with pride to see his favourite Little Acorn becoming a tree. A poignant story, Old Oak and Little Acorn is also an allegory for childhood.

Nico the donkey and Mrs Anderson are firmly bonded and happy with their life on the farm. Adopted many years before by Mrs Anderson, Nico is now in need of more care. Will Mrs Anderson be able to part with him? After an unfortunate mishap which gives everyone pause for thought, a perfect solution is found. Nico's new home at a nearby sanctuary will provide loving care, as well as the companionship of other donkeys. And Mrs Anderson will visit him every week! A gloriously illustrated celebration of donkeys, the love that they engender, and the benefits they bring to people.

Old Oak is having a mast year - a year of plentiful fruit! Little Acorn grows happily right by his nose, and never wants to leave the tree. Then, when a brisk wind blows, and he tumbles to the ground, a whole new life must begin! Carried away by a squirrel, and buried in a strange place, he must survive all the perils of walkers, insects, deer and other wildlife. Finally emerging as a sturdy little sapling, he discovers he is still in the barley field, growing near Old Oak, whose sap rises with pride to see his favourite Little Acorn becoming a tree. A poignant story, Old Oak and Little Acorn is also an allegory for childhood.

A lyrical story featuring charming characters, encouraging nature connection, empathy and positive action. Illustrated in stunning detail by Erin Brown, children will enjoy spotting a multitude of accurately depicted creatures and gain understanding of the interdependence of species. Old Oak and Mr Shield, his shield bug friend, are worried: summer has been long and dry, and there are fewer insects and birds in the Barley Field. The harvest is poor, the farmer troubled. At a dramatic meeting Stag Beetle tells the winged insects it is time to leave and fi nd food elsewhere. But the farmer has already made a plan: Old Oak and his friends celebrate when the Barley Field transforms into a glorious wild flower meadow, welcoming back old friends and new.