Lore of the Wild: Folklore and Wisdom from Nature

This delightfully discursive look at nature-themed folk wisdom is divided into six sections—“Animals,” “Birds,” “Bugs,” “Flowers, Plants, and Trees,” “Weather Lore,” and “Omens.” Each section kicks off with a short traditional folktale (mostly European, though one comes from China and another represents the Twana of the Pacific Northwest). Assorted fragments of lore, grouped by creature or topic into subthemes (“Magpies, Ravens, and Crows,” “Seabirds,” “Birds of Prey”) are then presented on richly illustrated spreads. Their decontextualized presentation can sometimes puzzle: “In Korea magpies are seen as bringers of good news and happiness. They are also celebrated in France because their chattering warns villagers of approaching wolves.” Are wolves still an issue in modern French villages? Still, the overall winsome mood is augmented by Aitch’s whimsical, vibrantly hued illustrations. Painterly and patterned, they are studded with moons and stars, flowers and smiling suns. Ages 6–12. (Sept.)