Sarah Wildling – illustratör

Discover the fascinating folklore behind more than 40 of nature’s most intriguing plants and learn how you can benefit from their timeless wisdom in everyday life.Why do buttercups glow when held beneath your chin? Which blooms are sometimes called fairy phones? Why are foxgloves sometimes ominously referred to as ‘Deadman’s Bellows’? And what is the true meaning of a rose?Humans have given meanings and stories to plants and flowers for thousands of years, whether they’re myths about Ancient Greek Gods who pecked out the eyes of anyone who dared move the sacred but thorny Peony plant, or 19th-century superstitions of how flowers could foreshadow love, life or death. After reading Floral Folklore, you’ll never look at a bunch of flowers the same way again!Brought to life with enchanting, full-color illustrations of the plants, flowers and visiting creatures, the book explains the origins of the folklore behind each plant, and offers a beautiful ritual to help you better connect with the teaching each plant has to offer. This is the perfect gift for foragers, gardeners, and budding horticulturists looking to develop their knowledge of plants beyond the exterior.From the old wives’ tale that sage thrives in the garden of a woman who rules her household (and husband!) firmly, to poppies growing in places where blood has been shed, learn the meanings and stories behind:BayMintBasilLotusTulipsOrchidsSunflowersLily of the ValleyNightshadeMulberryHyacinthValerianParsleyDaffodilRose…and more!Including common plants found all over the world, and traditional herbs and flowers used in medicines for thousands of years, this is a truly unique and fascinating exploration of our floral folklore heritage.

Did you know that it's considered a sin to harm a robin? Or that seagulls were once thought to be the souls of dead sailors? And do you know what happens if you listen to a blackbird’s song on May Day?With The Folklore of Birds you can discover the fascinating folklore behind nature’s most intriguing animals.At once familiar and unknowable, birds have for centuries provided a rich source of speculation and myth-making. From the Catholic belief that barnacle geese were actually fish (and could therefore be eaten on the Sabbath) to the Ancient Greek tale of Ceyx and Halcyone who were transformed into kingfishers after death as reward for their fidelity, our feathered friends have given rise to an astonishingly rich body of myth, legend and superstition.With its interesting titbits and curious facts coupled with breathtakingly beautiful illustrations, The Folklore of Birds is charming, quirky gift for the birdwatcher in your life.