Laura Brand – författare

Zoom in to watch:· a hummingbird drink nectar· a pea shoot appear· a little snail as he comes come out to drink· a caterpillar create its own leaf tent· a family of hermit crabs move house With charming text and real science, see nature up close and let it stop you in your tracks, so that you can truly find joy in the present moment. Slow down with this beautiful hardback book and enjoy:· A treasury of miracles that happen on our very doorsteps· 20 nature stories, told step-by-step· Gorgeous colour illustrated throughout with sumptuous gold foil cover· Visual stories that are perfect for young readers 3+ and up· Mindfulness activities and further reading included at the back of the book Words of praise for Slow Down:A Bookseller Editor's Choice book"Fifty moments in nature are captured in slowed-down double page spreads: a cresting wave, a hatching chick, a bee pollinating a flower. The effect is magical." Fiona Noble, The Bookseller"A wonderful book for inspiring a love of the natural world." - The Bookseller"This cosily illustrated volume wants us to take time to stand and stare, paying attention to everyday natural events, many of which can be appreciated in a garden or indoors through a window" ?The Sunday Times

Includes a foreword by Fearne Cotton.The Joy Journal for Magical Everyday Play by Laura Brand showcases fifty engaging activities for creative, everyday playtime to encourage a connection to nature, sense of joy and bonding with your kids, while nurturing your own inner child too.The activities are mindful, creative and, crucially, very easy things to make and do with children that you will enjoy as much as they will. From moon sand to flower soup and nature wands there are short, long, loud and quiet activities to take you from morning to evening – each with a focus on the risk factors: volume of effort vs child engagement and mess. Laura Brand has been testing these while writing and raising her two-under-two, and shares the happy accidents and road blocks she’s hit along the way in honest, open and often funny introductions to each of the exercises.This beautiful handbook will help you to inject fun, mindfulness and craft into bath-times, rainy afternoons, long journeys and play dates and to resist (as much as possible!) the temptation to succumb to screen time. Chapters take you through the seasons, with indoor, outdoor and on-the-go activities that are easy and fun every day.The Joy Journal will arm you with a variety of fun, focussed activities made with store cupboard and easily foraged supplies that you can turn to time and again. All activities are suitable for toddlers, pre-schoolers, grown-ups and everyone in between.

'This book is a chance to slow down and find stillness. Self-care in the most beautiful, creative ways.' – Fearne CottonFifty imaginative ideas for crafts that encourage a sense of joy and mindfulness. Includes a foreword by Melissa Hemsley.The Joy Journal For Grown-ups invites you to experiment, play and unlock your creative potential with a range of simple crafts that can bring a little more calm into your everyday life. Using store-cupboard ingredients and easily foraged supplies, this beautifully illustrated handbook includes new and inspiring ideas for adding a personal touch to celebrations, creating unique gifts, and making stunning keepsakes.Whether you are a beginner or confident crafter, bestselling author Laura Brand gently guides you through a host of delightful projects including beautiful flower-pressed candles, scented body butter, and origami hearts. She invites you to carve out 'me time' and enjoy shared creative experiences with friends that can help us to feel more connected and harness the freedom of play from childhood.Imaginative, engaging and easy to follow, this gorgeous, step-by-step guide features all the encouragement you need to find inspiration, awaken your creativity and brighten your mood.