I thought this year I might try and do a regular post on nature writing for younger readers and celebrate younger authors as well, as part of the Gaia/nature challenge. I have long been a fan of wonderful picture books and firmly believe some of the best writing around is for children. Picture books make … Continue reading Wombats and wonder
Rebel!
"I wish everyone who said they believed in angels would actually believe in insects. - Jay Griffiths Sometimes a small book can have more impact than the weightiest tome and that is the case with Jay Griffiths eloquent call to action Why Rebel. This slim volume of essays celebrates the wonder of the natural world, … Continue reading Rebel!
Quolls and Questions
By accident rather than design, I started my reading year with two short but remarkable nature and activism themed reads. The first was Harry Saddler's reflection on the moral dilemma facing the current generation; in a world facing the horror of mass extinction and climate change; should we be bringing children into this world? Saddler's … Continue reading Quolls and Questions
New year reflection
image source pixabay This time of year is always a moment to pause for reflection before the hectic pace again resumes. I entered the 2021 Christmas period with a sense of exhaustion in every sense, not because the year had been especially intense for me, it had not. I know people for whom the year, … Continue reading New year reflection
Best nature reads of 2021
The last day of 2021, this will be a brief post. I promise myself I will not fall so far behind next year! In brief, my best read of 2021 was David Quammen's Spillover: Emerging Diseases, Animal Hosts, and the Future of Human Health this extraordinary book examines in detail the emergence in recent years … Continue reading Best nature reads of 2021
2022 Gaia/nature reading book bingo
Getting the 2022 Gaia/nature reading challenge off to a flying start. Like last year, there is a short fun book bingo for anyone who would like to use it as a guide. You do not have to use the bingo to participate, just choosing to read any nature, environment or climate-themed book either non-fiction or … Continue reading 2022 Gaia/nature reading book bingo
2022 Nature Reading Challenge Sign up
https://gumtreesandgalaxies.com/ Decided to continue the Gum trees and Galaxies tradition of hosting the Gaia/Nature reading challenge. Afraid I have been a bit slack over the last few months falling into a bit of a slump. Back on track again. To participate just leave a comment below. You don't have to have a blog, but if … Continue reading 2022 Nature Reading Challenge Sign up
Nature reading and Gaia book bingo
Ok really got to catch up on reading posts! The end of the year has been surprisingly busy. I am just hanging out for the brief reprieve of Christmas and a chance to catch up, do a re-start and hopefully get back on track. I have neglected the Gaia reading challenge, although reading nature-themed books … Continue reading Nature reading and Gaia book bingo
Place of flowers
Managed to escape for a couple of quiet days in Giraween national park a couple of weeks ago. The most amazing granite country, sentinel boulders and eucalypt forest. It was lovely to see the park greening up and the creek enthusiastically running after the wet spring/ now summer. Wildflowers still blooming, although the peak of … Continue reading Place of flowers
“I must break away…”
I'm losing the precious days. I am degenerating into a machine for making money. I am learning nothing in this trivial world of men. I must break away and get out into the mountains to learn the news.- John Muir quoted by Samuel Hall Young in Alaska Days with John Muir (1915), chapter 4, pg. 216. Walking … Continue reading “I must break away…”
Gum trees and Galaxies 