4 March 2014

A GOOD BOOK // Wild



You might remember this post from a while back talking about the benefits of kids getting outside and enjoying some wild time, exploring their surrounding and connecting with nature. Sounds great in theory, but for those times where heading out the door might be a bit tricky, never fear, this good book is just as fun to explore.

Wild grabs your attention with a curious and quirky close up of a wide eyed ferral child who, when left in the woods as a baby was taken in by nature and became truly wild. This brilliant debut picture book by Hawaiian author/illustrator Emily Hughes, is a nod to the iconic style of Sendak and Scarry, while applying her own quirky, fresh and unique style, creating a new classic for future generations. Each page is filled with stunning artwork, the detail creating atmosphere that draws you in to her world, where she is taught to speak by crows, to eat by bears and to play by foxes. Happy and content with her connection to nature she finds herself caught it a hunters trap, her green vine like hair tangled all around her.

As she is taken out of the woods, the illustrations take a darker turn, with chopped down trees and barren land, grey cityscapes and moody skies. Taken in by a famed psychiatrist, adults try to mould her to the norm, analysing her every move, teaching her to speak their words and attempt to undo the gifts that nature gave her. Unhappy and misunderstood, with only a Borzoi and ginger tabby who stay by her side, she heads back to nature. The parting words so beautiful.."Because you can't tame something so happily wild..." So if can't go outside for an adventure, then curl up at home and enjoy hers.

We received our copy of Wild from Imagination Adventures for review purposes. All words and thoughts are our own. 






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26 comments

  1. This sounds and looks like a lovely book. I agree about getting children outside and exploring nature, more often than not its days when we get out and back to nature that are the more memorable days :-)

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  2. Beautiful book! Makes a great gift ;-)

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  3. we bought this book just the other day! it's a great one isn't it! lovely pictures and such an important message too x

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  4. The illustrations are fabulous! One to add to our list for our next trip to the book shop!

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  5. I didn't know the book, but will look for it. It sounds like a very good book and the message is very important and one I will love hearing my boy's thoughts on. Lovely post :)

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  6. Oh what a perfect little book. The illustrations are beautiful, I could look at them for hours! Will be checking this one out as we're huge Wild Things fans :)

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  7. I love that last phrase too. To raising children who are happily wild!

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  8. Lovely pictures! I like books with great illustrations as they are so important for kids.

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  9. This looks like a great book, I think its time we had some new ones!

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  10. now another book you've made me want to buy! LOVE the illustrations!

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  11. I really love the illustrations in this book - what a fab read it must be!

    I recently posted: A February Walk in Bedford's Country Park

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  12. I love the illustrations! Reminds me of the Moomins!

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  13. This book looks great! Will see if our library have a copy!

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  14. Sounds like a very exciting book. REminded me of The Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling.

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  15. This sounds like such a great book. Feral children fascinate me anyway.

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  16. I love books that are a little different and have a nice message in them - we'll be checking this one out!

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  17. Fab book - I recognise the illustrator actually, lovely pictures. Wish we weren't past picture books :(

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  18. I love the books you pick - this one looks super interesting and once again lovely illustrations

    Laura x

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  19. Love the look of this book, shall hunt it down in the library

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  20. The book looks lovely, one I'm sure my two would love :)

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  21. We have a copy of Wild at home and it is a really interesting story. On first reading we weren't particularly taken with it but there are so many themes to explore that the more you read the more you 'see'. Thank you so much for linking up to #kidsbookaweek

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  22. I've been meaning to get Wild as seems like an unusual but lovely childrens book. What wonderful illustrations!

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