A Good Read

The Folklore of British Insects

by Chris Firth. Illustrated by Rebecca Hobbs

The Folklore of British Insects is the latest offering by Chris Firth and is an informative and entertaining book containing many astonishing facts, myths and legends of Great Britain’s creepycrawlies including medicinal and culinary uses of our favourite insects. The book is beautifully illustrated by Rebecca Hobbs and is a fun and fascinating read, one which the whole family can enjoy. The book is packed with folklore, something you would expect from Chris, a member of the British Folklore Society, and author of The Fairies and Mermaids of North Yorkshire. It took Chris and Rebecca two years to research, compile and bring to press The Folklore of British Insects, which is teeming with many fascinating, thought-provoking and often humorous stories behind the best-known (but perhaps not always the best loved!) insects and bugs – those you see every day but maybe don’t pay much attention too. Did you know that ladybirds saved England from a potentially devastating famine, and that they can also be a cure for toothache? And the much hatedcockroach - it can hold its breath under water for 40 minutes, and can happily live and function without a head for up to a week? And if you are feeling peckish, earwigs are said to be quite tasty – a cross between chicken and shrimps? Or you could feast on termites and cockroaches? Hmm.. I think I will take your word for this, Chris! Priced at £12.99, the book is a perfect gift for entomologists and nature lovers, so if you are about to do your Christmas shopping, here is a great Christmas stocking filler idea! Or why not simply treat yourself to a copy, pop on your apron, light the stove and rustle up some culinary treats with grasshoppers, crickets, cockroaches... The Folklore of British Insects is available from all good bookshops including the Whitby bookshop, Lythe Community Shop and The Book Corner at Saltburn.

You Choose

by Pippa Goodhart (Author), Nick Sharratt (Illustrator)

Imagine you could go anywhere, meet anyone, and do anything. Where would you live? Where would you sleep? Who would be your friends? What games would you play? This beautifully illustrated book (Nick Sharratt never disappoints) has a simple concept: each double-page is packed with detailed drawings of different things that a child can choose. There is a set of destinations including beaches, cities, towns, forests, an island, and a desert. There are pages of different people, and different foods etc. There is so much to discuss with a young child as you turn the pages. Choices can be ordinary or wildly absurd. It’s a wonderful springboard for young children to tell their own stories.

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