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Moss #2
By Rowan and Yew
As autumn arrives, Moss, Sorrel, Burnet and Dormer decide to return home to Ash Row to unravel a riddle that might explain why their kind are fading from the Wild World.
When you're only one-hand high, it's a journey filled with both danger and delight: golden leaves, shiny conkers and the brightest of berries, but also storms and the first frost of winter.
They have friendship, good sense and humour on their side, but will it be enough to secure a future for the Hidden Folk? Or will they need to go further, and find a way to work with the most unreliable of creatures ... humans?
A tale of disappearing wilderness that couldn't be more relevant in today's environmental crisis, brought to life for children by three tiny, funny, eternal beings – the hidden folk.
When you're only one-hand high, it's a journey filled with both danger and delight: golden leaves, shiny conkers and the brightest of berries, but also storms and the first frost of winter.
They have friendship, good sense and humour on their side, but will it be enough to secure a future for the Hidden Folk? Or will they need to go further, and find a way to work with the most unreliable of creatures ... humans?
A tale of disappearing wilderness that couldn't be more relevant in today's environmental crisis, brought to life for children by three tiny, funny, eternal beings – the hidden folk.
288 pages, Paperback
Published October 7, 2021
18 people are currently reading
1031 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
September 24, 2022
Another lovely adventure with our favourite hidden folk as well as our favourite Croydon starling! The audiobook is brilliant, and reads Spangle the starling like Stormzy haha – you get me??
August 23, 2024
Second outing for our hidden folk and I enjoyed it a lot. The story still follows the theme of nature and its slow destruction and what humans can do about it but it feels a bit more grown up that the first book. I also really liked its seasonal setting, that gorgeous autumnal feel, the slow stepping into winter, it's lovely.
If you have eco conscious young children in your life, that might be just the book for them.
If you have eco conscious young children in your life, that might be just the book for them.
October 27, 2021
Now I’m hoping Harrison will write children’s books forever, haha.
Either way, a great sequel to By Ash, Oak and Thorn! There are definitely changes, mainly that this is much more a get-to-then-stay-in-one-spot compared to the adventure journey that was the first novel. However, I think the topics explored (mainly, that being of nature and nature destruction, and what humans, namely children, can do) refreshingly realistic, and grounded. There isn’t a feeling of “all hope is lost” just as there isn’t “a child can ✨change the world!✨” which always felt like putting the world’s problems on the next generation then just continuing to make things worse, which is such a great take for a children’s book to have!
Things of note:
- The cast act a lot more like kids this time, rather than the “ancient yet naive” spirits in the first. A lot more physical comfort (holding hands, hugging), crying, and little arguments that children would have. Interesting to read this development of character - hopefully young readers enjoy it!
- A possible nonbinary character? One Hidden Folk, Mistle, is (I’m pretty sure) never given a gendered pronoun. If intentional, I’m /so/ pleased.
- This book has great autumnal vibes. Been trying to find some seasonal books to read in Halloween that aren’t just spooky horrors, and this definitely fit the bill. The cover is also gorgeous. Just wish we could’ve seen the Hidden Folk’s reaction to carved pumpkins and costumed children more!
Either way, a great sequel to By Ash, Oak and Thorn! There are definitely changes, mainly that this is much more a get-to-then-stay-in-one-spot compared to the adventure journey that was the first novel. However, I think the topics explored (mainly, that being of nature and nature destruction, and what humans, namely children, can do) refreshingly realistic, and grounded. There isn’t a feeling of “all hope is lost” just as there isn’t “a child can ✨change the world!✨” which always felt like putting the world’s problems on the next generation then just continuing to make things worse, which is such a great take for a children’s book to have!
Things of note:
- The cast act a lot more like kids this time, rather than the “ancient yet naive” spirits in the first. A lot more physical comfort (holding hands, hugging), crying, and little arguments that children would have. Interesting to read this development of character - hopefully young readers enjoy it!
- A possible nonbinary character? One Hidden Folk, Mistle, is (I’m pretty sure) never given a gendered pronoun. If intentional, I’m /so/ pleased.
- This book has great autumnal vibes. Been trying to find some seasonal books to read in Halloween that aren’t just spooky horrors, and this definitely fit the bill. The cover is also gorgeous. Just wish we could’ve seen the Hidden Folk’s reaction to carved pumpkins and costumed children more!
December 2, 2023
5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
November 28, 2021
A wonderful follow up to 'By Ash, Oak, and Thorn'. I particularly love the way in which facts about nature are woven through the storytelling. I learned a few things! The end is genuinely moving.
April 21, 2022
This book followed on from By Ash, Oak and Thorn as was just as whimsical and delightful.
September 1, 2024
It took me some time to get into the world and the characters again, because it's been a while since I read the first book and the autumn descriptions did not feel as detailed as in the spring/summer instalment. Ro was such a cutie though, and the ending was very wholesome and hopeful.
October 6, 2024
Very cute ❤️
October 26, 2024
Whimsical and delightful. Especially if you loved the Studio Ghibli film Arietty. This warmed my heart and was a lovely read
November 25, 2024
Cute and wholesome.
September 7, 2024
If you are looking for the perfect book to read anywhere between September and November. This is it. <3 Cozy, cute, wholesome. All the autumnal vibes. <3
January 21, 2022
A delightful book, beautifully written. Definitely one to encourage your younglings to read or, better still, read it to them. It’s the first Melissa Harrison book I’ve read and I will definitely be reading others. The messages contained within the story are most definitely worth sharing.
November 28, 2023
3.5 stars
As much as I want to love these books they are a bit too juvenile for me. That said I think these are great for young children.
As much as I want to love these books they are a bit too juvenile for me. That said I think these are great for young children.
January 24, 2025
4.25*
WHY DID I CHOOSE THIS BOOK? – I read the first book in this series last year and though it did not completely work for me, I was intrigued enough to want to read this second one as well.
WHAT DID I LIKE? – I found this second book in the series much for fun. I am not quite sure what it was, as the tone was quite similar. I felt more connected to the characters and the message of awareness of nature and the environment. This was supersweet and it made me smile. The various animal characters are especially fun.
WHAT DID I NOT LIKE? – There was nothing I particularly disliked, apart from the music between chapters that was a bit annoying at times, but that has nothing to do with the book itself. Besides, the other sound effects were fun and not too intrusive. The plot did not fully pull me in – it is a little light at some points, but I support the message wholeheartedly.
SO… This was a really enjoyable listen and it was overall a better book than the first one was in my humble opinion. I think these are books to give to a child to read. It’s easy to read and the message is loud and clear: be more aware of the natural world around you and learn to take care of it! I think that is an excellent message to give children and I respect the author for that.
WHY DID I CHOOSE THIS BOOK? – I read the first book in this series last year and though it did not completely work for me, I was intrigued enough to want to read this second one as well.
WHAT DID I LIKE? – I found this second book in the series much for fun. I am not quite sure what it was, as the tone was quite similar. I felt more connected to the characters and the message of awareness of nature and the environment. This was supersweet and it made me smile. The various animal characters are especially fun.
WHAT DID I NOT LIKE? – There was nothing I particularly disliked, apart from the music between chapters that was a bit annoying at times, but that has nothing to do with the book itself. Besides, the other sound effects were fun and not too intrusive. The plot did not fully pull me in – it is a little light at some points, but I support the message wholeheartedly.
SO… This was a really enjoyable listen and it was overall a better book than the first one was in my humble opinion. I think these are books to give to a child to read. It’s easy to read and the message is loud and clear: be more aware of the natural world around you and learn to take care of it! I think that is an excellent message to give children and I respect the author for that.
November 19, 2025
This was cute and I liked it better than the first book (which I didn't really enjoy too much, sadly).
Now that the hidden folk that we learned about from the first book are setting out to find a new home, they often find themselves meeting new creatures and learning how to create a sense of community. They miss their home, so they start to head back to it, knowing there may not be much to find. They reach out trying to find out maybe how to interact with children of all things. This book does tell you a bit about the environment and our duty to care for nature. There is gardening and more in it. It was a cute tale and I felt that the characters felt more to life while reading this compared to in the first story. Definitely a good nature fictional children's book to enjoy as a family, if it pleases you.
Now that the hidden folk that we learned about from the first book are setting out to find a new home, they often find themselves meeting new creatures and learning how to create a sense of community. They miss their home, so they start to head back to it, knowing there may not be much to find. They reach out trying to find out maybe how to interact with children of all things. This book does tell you a bit about the environment and our duty to care for nature. There is gardening and more in it. It was a cute tale and I felt that the characters felt more to life while reading this compared to in the first story. Definitely a good nature fictional children's book to enjoy as a family, if it pleases you.
December 23, 2022
There's something beautifully old-fashioned about this book, even though cars, TVs and mobile phones exist in its world. It speaks to trust, perseverance, friendship and love while also carrying a heartfelt message about nature and humans' place in it. This message is delivered with hope and love and is never strident. The UK is the most nature denuded country in Europe and, as the starling in the book notes, it's becoming more so every day. I hope Robin Goodfellow is right and that young people are our only hope, because I don't see my generation having done much in their grasping after growth.
April 30, 2023
I love this seasonal children’s series. There’s so many touching and sweet moments than you would expect. Autumn arrives in this story and our sweet small folk make the decision to travel back to their old home and as always there are plenty of adventures and lessons to learn along the way.
This is the sort of wholesome series I would love my children to read.
What truly makes it amazing though is the fact it surpasses age. If you enjoy magic, seasonal reads and stories with heart then you must read this series.
This is the sort of wholesome series I would love my children to read.
What truly makes it amazing though is the fact it surpasses age. If you enjoy magic, seasonal reads and stories with heart then you must read this series.
May 8, 2023
Follow up to By Ash, Oak and Thorn this environment and friends themed middle-grade is fabulously done in the audio edition with excellent narration and sound effects. Journeying back to their home in Ash Row Moss and Burnet and their new friends are on a quest to find out how they can stop their fading and find themselves a new purpose in the world alongside mortals.
Along with looking after the environment the story features lots of relationship / friendship and emotional awareness messages for young readers / listeners all wrapped up in a lovely story Suggested age range 6-12.
Along with looking after the environment the story features lots of relationship / friendship and emotional awareness messages for young readers / listeners all wrapped up in a lovely story Suggested age range 6-12.
March 23, 2022
Beautifully written and fantastically narrated.
The sequel to By Ash, Oak and Thorn, is a little slower to get into, but is just as beautiful and moving.
I am definitely ordering the paper versions of both books for my niece and nephew, but also the audible version, as the sound effects and real animal calls will definitely enhance any reading I could do.
The sequel to By Ash, Oak and Thorn, is a little slower to get into, but is just as beautiful and moving.
I am definitely ordering the paper versions of both books for my niece and nephew, but also the audible version, as the sound effects and real animal calls will definitely enhance any reading I could do.
April 14, 2022
I have to say I think I enjoyed this sequel even more than By Ash, Oak and Thorn.
It picks up beautifully from where Ash left off. I really enjoyed the story of this book and the ending is super sweet.
Definitely recommend picking up this duology with younger readers, there is so much for them here. But there is also a universality to the tale and the way it’s told that anyone can enjoy.
It picks up beautifully from where Ash left off. I really enjoyed the story of this book and the ending is super sweet.
Definitely recommend picking up this duology with younger readers, there is so much for them here. But there is also a universality to the tale and the way it’s told that anyone can enjoy.
May 21, 2023
I like the concept and part of the execution of these stories… but somehow they just feel a bit forced, a bit saccharine, just ramming a ‘children or the future of conservation’ message home and doing so at the detriment to an actual clear and coherent plot.
Maybe I’m looking too deep, maybe I’m a bit too cynical. But both stories just weren’t for me.
Maybe I’m looking too deep, maybe I’m a bit too cynical. But both stories just weren’t for me.
March 29, 2025
🌳 I throughly enjoyed this series. It’s made me look at nature differently, I go out now and look for signs of Hidden Folk. It’s made me appreciate nature more. Beautiful read for the summer holidays I think. Get your kids reading this and they’ll be wanting to set up wildlife gardens, bird feeders and hedgehog houses. 🌳
June 14, 2025
I love this world and wish for more books in this duology! In this book, we continue to follow the young hidden folk as Moss and his friends travel back to the Ash tree to find a way to stop them from disappearing from this world. What a wonderful adventure! No Spoilers! I highly recommend this book to kids of all ages.
February 16, 2022
The 1st book of the series was a delight to listen to, this 2nd book doesn't disappoint either!! The storyline is amazing, the narrator literally brings it to life and the background (nature) sounds make everything even more magic. 💕
April 2, 2022
A lovely conclusion to Cumulus, Burnett, Moss Sorrel, Dormer and Mistle's tale.
Absolutely delightful sorry, lovely narration, insightful observations on feelings and insecurities everyone can feel at some time.
Loved the little nature facts, the challenges and how the Hidden Folk overcome them.
Absolutely delightful sorry, lovely narration, insightful observations on feelings and insecurities everyone can feel at some time.
Loved the little nature facts, the challenges and how the Hidden Folk overcome them.
June 21, 2022
Exactly what I needed to read whilst laid up with covid - nature, a little bit of magic and hope.
I felt this story wove together more than the last, and it left me feeling optimistic for the future.
I felt this story wove together more than the last, and it left me feeling optimistic for the future.
September 8, 2023
Stunningly good sequel to the author’s first children’s book, “By Oak, Ash and Thorn”, dealing with the efforts of a disappearing race of tiny people to save the nature from the ignorance of adult humans. Excellent.
April 22, 2024
A wonderful book. I loved reading it. It’s so sweet with the Hidden Folk; Moss, Burnet, Sorrel, Dormer, Mistle and Cumulus. The starling ‘Spangle’ was lovely. The whole story was lovely. All things were pleasing, including the front cover.
April 7, 2022
Just magic
September 26, 2022
actual rating 3.5 stars
Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews