Wild Child

Coming Home to Nature

by Patrick Barkham

Description

An intuitive and inspiring study of childhood and the joy and wonder to be found in neighbourhood nature, from an acclaimed nature writer

From climbing trees and making dens, to building sandcastles and pond-dipping, many of the activities we associate with a happy childhood take place outdoors. And yet, the reality for many contemporary children is very different. The studies tell us that we are raising a generation who are so alienated from nature that they can't identify the commonest birds or plants, they don't know where their food comes from, they are shuttled between home, school and the shops and spend very little time in green spaces - let alone roaming free.

In this timely and personal book, celebrated nature writer Patrick Barkham draws on his own experience as a parent and a forest school volunteer to explore the relationship between children and nature. Unfolding over the course of a year of snowsuits, muddy wellies, and sunhats, Wild Child is both an intimate story of children finding their place in natural world, and a celebration of the delight we can all find in even modest patches of green.

More Information

Rights Information

Granta handles:


- U.S. rights


- translation rights

Marketing Information


  • Addresses some hot topics (children's health and wellbeing, education, alienation from nature) in a relatable and inspiring way

  • Barkham has built a strong sales and critical track-record and has built a solid and enthusiastic fan-base

Reviews

"Compelling... a book that deserves to flourish.... Wild Child gives us some bold and inspiring ideas about what an education system that is truly fit for the 21st-century might look like" - Guardian


"Engaging... elegant and moving... Barkham writes beautifully... The book brims with tender scenes and small epiphanies" - Financial Times


"Barkham combines the patience and eye for detail of the naturalist with a vivid writing style" - Sunday Times

Author Biography

Patrick Barkham is natural history writer for the Guardian. He is author of The Butterfly IslesBadgerlandsCoastlines and Islander. He lives in Norfolk with his family.

Copyright Information

(C) Patrick Barkham, 2020.

Granta Books

Granta Books

Granta Books is one of the most independent-minded and prestigious literary publishers in the UK.

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Bibliographic Information

  • Publisher Granta Publications
  • Publication Date May 2020
  • Orginal LanguageEnglish
  • ISBN/Identifier 9781783781911
  • Publication Country or regionUnited Kingdom
  • FormatHardback
  • Primary Price 16.99 GBP
  • Pages352
  • ReadershipGeneral
  • Publish StatusPublished
  • Copyright Year2020
  • Dimensions216 x 135 mm

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