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Walking the World in Wonder: A Children's Herbal
Introduce children to the magic of using herbs for healing, cooking, and nature crafts and inspire a lifelong interest in the natural world.
Designed especially for children ages five to ten. A hands-on book for children, filled with fun, easy-to-follow activities. Covers the medicinal and magical uses of sixty-seven common herbs. Each herb playfully introduces itself and talks about its habitat and many uses. With fun, easy-to-follow activities, herbalist Ellen Evert Hopman teaches children basic herbal skills and invites them to make a sunflower seed mosaic, sew a catnip-filled mouse, and dig for Jerusalem artichoke roots. The book also includes simple recipes that children can use, with adult supervision, to treat minor ailments--peppermint tea to soothe a troubled tummy or horse chestnut salve to heal a scraped knee. Children gain a sense of self-sufficiency and awe for the earth's treasures by eating wild nettle greens, sprinkling a sandwich with nasturtium flowers, making strawberry honey, and learning to season food with dill they've gathered themselves. Parents and teachers will appreciate how these earth-centered activities are placed within a broader social and environmental context. Sixty-seven full-color photographs enable children, parents, and teachers to identify these herbs during walks and field trips. Walking the World in Wonder gives children a direct and joyous experience of their connection to the natural world and inspires a lifelong interest in their own health and that of the planet.
Designed especially for children ages five to ten. A hands-on book for children, filled with fun, easy-to-follow activities. Covers the medicinal and magical uses of sixty-seven common herbs. Each herb playfully introduces itself and talks about its habitat and many uses. With fun, easy-to-follow activities, herbalist Ellen Evert Hopman teaches children basic herbal skills and invites them to make a sunflower seed mosaic, sew a catnip-filled mouse, and dig for Jerusalem artichoke roots. The book also includes simple recipes that children can use, with adult supervision, to treat minor ailments--peppermint tea to soothe a troubled tummy or horse chestnut salve to heal a scraped knee. Children gain a sense of self-sufficiency and awe for the earth's treasures by eating wild nettle greens, sprinkling a sandwich with nasturtium flowers, making strawberry honey, and learning to season food with dill they've gathered themselves. Parents and teachers will appreciate how these earth-centered activities are placed within a broader social and environmental context. Sixty-seven full-color photographs enable children, parents, and teachers to identify these herbs during walks and field trips. Walking the World in Wonder gives children a direct and joyous experience of their connection to the natural world and inspires a lifelong interest in their own health and that of the planet.
160 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2000
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222 people want to read
About the author
Ellen Evert Hopman
27 books166 followersEllen Evert Hopman is a Master Herbalist and lay Homeopath who holds an
M.Ed. in Mental Health Counseling. She is a certified writing instructor
through Amherst Writers and Artists. She is Archdruid of Tribe of the Oak www.tribeoftheoak.com, a Druidic teaching Order, and was a former Co-chief
of the Whiteoak Druid Order (Ord na Darach Gile) and Vice President of
The Henge Of Keltria, an international Druid Fellowship, for nine years. She
is the founder of the Whiteoak internet mailing list, an on-line Druid ethics study
group, and a co-founder of The Order of the Whiteoak (Ord Na Darach Gile)
www.whiteoakdruids.org. She is also a co-founder of the North East Druid
Coalition
She is the author of a trilogy of Iron Age Druid novels; Priestess of the Forest: A Druid Journey, The Druid Isle and Priestess of the Fire Temple - a Druid's Tale.
Her books on trees include a revised and expanded new edition of Tree Medicine Tree Magic (Pendraig Publishing) and
A Druids Herbal of Sacred Tree Medicine (Destiny books/Inner Traditions Bear
and Company)
Her other books include;
Secret Medicines from your Garden (Healing Arts Press), Secret Medicines of your Kitchen (mPower Publishing), The Sacred Herbs of Samhain (Destiny Books) The Sacred Herbs of Beltaine (Destiny Books), Scottish Herbs and Fairy Lore (Pendraig Publishing), A Legacy of Druids (Moon Books),
A Druid's Herbal For the Sacred Earth Year ( Inner Traditions/Destiny Books ),
Being a Pagan (with Lawrence Bond)(Inner Traditions/Destiny Books), Walking
The World In Wonder - A Children's Herbal (Healing Arts Press), she is a
co-author of Grimoire For The Apprentice Wizard (Newpage Books).
She has released the
video/DVDs Gifts From the Healing Earth and Pagans -the Wheel of the Year ( From
Sawmill River Productions, http://www.sawmillriver.com/ )
She has released three audio tapes The Druid Path: Herbs And Festivals,
Celtic Gods and Goddesses, and The Herbal And Magical Powers Of Trees (from
Creative Seminars, POB 203, West Hurley, New York 12491).
She has been a teacher of Herbalism since 1983 and of Druidism since 1990 . Find her books, workshops and blog at www.elleneverthopman.com
M.Ed. in Mental Health Counseling. She is a certified writing instructor
through Amherst Writers and Artists. She is Archdruid of Tribe of the Oak www.tribeoftheoak.com, a Druidic teaching Order, and was a former Co-chief
of the Whiteoak Druid Order (Ord na Darach Gile) and Vice President of
The Henge Of Keltria, an international Druid Fellowship, for nine years. She
is the founder of the Whiteoak internet mailing list, an on-line Druid ethics study
group, and a co-founder of The Order of the Whiteoak (Ord Na Darach Gile)
www.whiteoakdruids.org. She is also a co-founder of the North East Druid
Coalition
She is the author of a trilogy of Iron Age Druid novels; Priestess of the Forest: A Druid Journey, The Druid Isle and Priestess of the Fire Temple - a Druid's Tale.
Her books on trees include a revised and expanded new edition of Tree Medicine Tree Magic (Pendraig Publishing) and
A Druids Herbal of Sacred Tree Medicine (Destiny books/Inner Traditions Bear
and Company)
Her other books include;
Secret Medicines from your Garden (Healing Arts Press), Secret Medicines of your Kitchen (mPower Publishing), The Sacred Herbs of Samhain (Destiny Books) The Sacred Herbs of Beltaine (Destiny Books), Scottish Herbs and Fairy Lore (Pendraig Publishing), A Legacy of Druids (Moon Books),
A Druid's Herbal For the Sacred Earth Year ( Inner Traditions/Destiny Books ),
Being a Pagan (with Lawrence Bond)(Inner Traditions/Destiny Books), Walking
The World In Wonder - A Children's Herbal (Healing Arts Press), she is a
co-author of Grimoire For The Apprentice Wizard (Newpage Books).
She has released the
video/DVDs Gifts From the Healing Earth and Pagans -the Wheel of the Year ( From
Sawmill River Productions, http://www.sawmillriver.com/ )
She has released three audio tapes The Druid Path: Herbs And Festivals,
Celtic Gods and Goddesses, and The Herbal And Magical Powers Of Trees (from
Creative Seminars, POB 203, West Hurley, New York 12491).
She has been a teacher of Herbalism since 1983 and of Druidism since 1990 . Find her books, workshops and blog at www.elleneverthopman.com
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
June 18, 2017
This does have good photos showing the plants, but not enough information that I'd be comfortable with identification. And I imagine that sometimes one really doesn't want to make a mistake.
That being said, it's a beautiful book, exploring a valuable concept. Maybe just a teeny bit too spiritual/ New Agey/ Pagan for me (I prefer the Scouts' woodcraft approach in some ways), but still very appealing. And in conjunction with a clarifying field guide, it'd be a wonderful way to get families out in the fresh air. I'd gift it to the right family, if I knew of one.
That being said, it's a beautiful book, exploring a valuable concept. Maybe just a teeny bit too spiritual/ New Agey/ Pagan for me (I prefer the Scouts' woodcraft approach in some ways), but still very appealing. And in conjunction with a clarifying field guide, it'd be a wonderful way to get families out in the fresh air. I'd gift it to the right family, if I knew of one.
August 12, 2023
Herbs are spilt in to the seasons the are commonly harvested in which makes it so much easier to follow. Reach of the herbs introduced itself, talking about where it grows, what it looks like (picture included) and how it can be used.
A great guide to take into the garden or on a hike.
A great guide to take into the garden or on a hike.
January 31, 2013
This was a terrific book!
To give a point of reference, I am a huge herbal enthusiast. Sometimes this enthusiasm can go to the point of boring others, especially my husband and kids who don't wish to stop a hike or stroll in the woods for every leaf and flower the way I do. So I've been wishing for a book that might offer to my kids, in a more interesting way, the same love of plants I have. And then I found it!
With simple but well-written descriptions and insights on each of 67 easily found wild and garden herbs, plus quick instructions for their uses as food, magic, and medicine, this book is sure to get both kids and adults outdoors to hunt for herbs! Ms. Hopman writing is as clear as the beautiful photos and her information is fun and sweet without being too childish for older readers. It's obvious that she both enjoys and respects nature.
Some of the best things about this book are the simplest:
It's arranged by season, showing the herbs as you will see them at that time of year.
There's an "frowny" icon by the name of plants that should not be ingested--nobody could mistake that!
The notes in the front are brief but informative: important tips on proper gathering, identification, and safety with medicinal usage.
And a cute checklist for your kids to tick when they've discovered each plant for themselves!
I wanted to read this first before our kids to be sure the author and I had similar views. When I read her words that a weed is only a plant whose uses haven't been identified yet, I knew I was in the right place!
If you love herbs and want to share that love with another generation, or if you are new to herbs at whatever age, get yourself a copy of this book!
To give a point of reference, I am a huge herbal enthusiast. Sometimes this enthusiasm can go to the point of boring others, especially my husband and kids who don't wish to stop a hike or stroll in the woods for every leaf and flower the way I do. So I've been wishing for a book that might offer to my kids, in a more interesting way, the same love of plants I have. And then I found it!
With simple but well-written descriptions and insights on each of 67 easily found wild and garden herbs, plus quick instructions for their uses as food, magic, and medicine, this book is sure to get both kids and adults outdoors to hunt for herbs! Ms. Hopman writing is as clear as the beautiful photos and her information is fun and sweet without being too childish for older readers. It's obvious that she both enjoys and respects nature.
Some of the best things about this book are the simplest:
It's arranged by season, showing the herbs as you will see them at that time of year.
There's an "frowny" icon by the name of plants that should not be ingested--nobody could mistake that!
The notes in the front are brief but informative: important tips on proper gathering, identification, and safety with medicinal usage.
And a cute checklist for your kids to tick when they've discovered each plant for themselves!
I wanted to read this first before our kids to be sure the author and I had similar views. When I read her words that a weed is only a plant whose uses haven't been identified yet, I knew I was in the right place!
If you love herbs and want to share that love with another generation, or if you are new to herbs at whatever age, get yourself a copy of this book!
March 7, 2009
Presented by season with beautiful photos of herbs in each season - the pics alone make this a great field companion for those who love to take nature walks. Also has projects such as making teas, treats, salves.
August 23, 2010
One of the most beautiful books if you want your kids to know more about herbs!
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews