Tag Archive for: Children

Bandit the Blue Tit Storybook | New Release for Kids

Meet Bandit the Blue Tit – Our New Children’s Storybook!

We’re thrilled to announce the release this year of our Bandit the Blue Tit storybook! This enchanting children’s wildlife tale is designed for kids aged 3–10 and is packed with adventure, beautiful illustrations, interactive colouring pages, and downloadable audio tracks.

With Bandit, children can explore the world of nature, learn about British wildlife, and discover the joy of storytelling in a fun and educational way.

About Bandit the Blue Tit

Bandit and his partner Willow are looking for a home to raise their brood of chicks after their first nest site is destroyed by a bad storm. They luckily find an empty nest box and the story unfolds, much like what is actually happening right now in gardens across the land as the nesting season continues. Through our adventures, children learn about caring for wildlife, protecting their environment, and making a positive impact on the world around them.

        

Why a Blue Tit?

Blue tits are iconic garden birds in the UK, known for their bright feathers and playful behaviour. Bandit and his partner Willow, bring these traits to life, helping children connect with real-life wildlife while enjoying an engaging and meaningful story.

Supported By / Special Thanks

We are delighted to acknowledge the incredible support from experts who helped enhance the Bandit the Blue Tit storybook with their knowledge and insights. Their contributions have made the story richer, more accurate, and even more engaging for children.

A huge thank you to:

Their expertise ensures that Bandit the Blue Tit is not only fun and entertaining but also educational and scientifically informed.

Learning Through Play

Our storybooks combine fun with education. Children can:

  • Learn about British wildlife and garden conservation
  • Develop environmental awareness and responsibility from a young age
  • Follow the actions/messages to bring new life into their gardens and green spaces
  • Improve literacy and listening skills while following the audio story
  • Express creativity through colouring and drawing activities

By engaging with Bandit’s story, children gain knowledge about nature while enjoying a playful, interactive experience.

Order a copy of Bandit the Blue Tit Storybook today!

Don’t miss out! Order your copy of Bandit the Blue Tit storybook today and give your child a magical journey into the world of British wildlife.

Why You’ll Love Bandit

Parents, teachers, and children love our storybooks because they combine entertaining storytelling with important educational messages. Bandit helps children connect with nature, develop creativity, and understand wildlife conservation in a fun and age-appropriate way.

For enquiries or bulk orders for schools, contact us at Hello@talesfrommotherearth.co.uk

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Darcy’s Tale

Darcy’s Tale – The Groundwater Flooding Storybook Project (And How You Can Get a Copy!)

Darcy’s Tale is more than a children’s book — it’s a powerful groundwater flooding education project designed to help young readers understand the changing world around them.

We were delighted to collaborate with Project Groundwater Greater Lincolnshire and the Environment Agency on this inspiring initiative. The project first began as an award-winning short film created by Aardman, before evolving into a beautifully illustrated children’s storybook, officially published in June 2025. And now, you have the opportunity to own your very own Darcy cuddly toy and copy of the book — keep reading to find out how.

A children’s storybook about groundwater flooding

At the heart of Darcy’s Tale is Darcy — a small mole with a big story. While searching for love, Darcy encounters the realities of groundwater flooding, helping children explore this complex environmental issue in a gentle, accessible way.

The story goes beyond flooding awareness. It carries a strong message of:

  • Community spirit

  • Resilience in times of adversity

  • Looking out for one another

  • Environmental responsibility

These themes feel more relevant than ever.

Why groundwater flooding education matters now

Our environment is changing rapidly. Across the UK, severe storms are becoming more frequent and intense. Weather forecasts featuring red, amber and yellow alerts, including warnings to life, are no longer rare occurrences.

With heavier rainfall comes increased risk of groundwater and surface water flooding — a direct consequence of climate change and shifting weather patterns.

That’s why educating children about groundwater flooding is so important. By introducing these topics early, through engaging storytelling, we help young people:

  • Understand environmental risks

  • Build awareness and preparedness

  • Develop resilience

  • Feel empowered rather than afraid

Darcy’s Tale makes this urgent subject age-appropriate, memorable and hopeful.

              

Darcy’s Tale is produced as part of Project Groundwater Greater Lincolnshire, which is funded by Defra as part of the £200 million Flood and Coastal Innovation Programmes which is managed by the Environment Agency. The programmes will drive innovation in flood and coastal resilience and adaptation to a changing climate.

What is groundwater flooding?

Groundwater flooding is the lesser known or understood reason for flooding in that, it’s not a river breaking its banks after a deluge of rain. No, groundwater flooding can appear days, weeks or even months after the rain has fallen, causing it to be very unpredictable indeed. Groundwater flooding occurs when the level of water within the rock or soil underground (i.e the water table) rises. Water can  then seep up through the land, up to the surface and break out causing a flood. Groundwater can also overwhelm existing drainage systems and watercourses leading to a lack of capacity for these networks to hold rainwater and thus leading to increased surface water flooding.

Let’s hear from Vicky Jones and Brett Rycroft-Jones Flood Resilience Programme Co-ordinators at Lincolnshire Country Council:

“Flooding can be devastating for communities from all sources and groundwater is especially difficult as it can occur long periods after a rainfall event and can be quite isolating to those whom experience it. Educating children on flooding matters to building future resilience and Darcy’s Tale has been a great way to do this building on the animation with the beautifully created book by TfME. We’re proud to be sponsoring the books rollout on a national scale.”

– Vicky Jones

“It is important for children to learn about flooding and its impact because it builds personal resilience, equips them with life-saving knowledge, and empowers them to become active contributors to their community safety. This education helps mitigate both the immediate physical dangers and the long-term psychological impacts of flood events. Ultimately, teaching children about flooding and Groundwater is an investment in creating safer, more informed, and resilient communities that are better equipped to face future climate challenge”

– Brett Rycroft-Jones

Getting out and about with Darcy’s Tale – raising groundwater flooding awareness in schools

Children across the UK are discovering the powerful message behind Darcy’s Tale — and the movement is growing.

From classrooms to communities, young readers are connecting with Darcy’s Tale, our educational children’s storybook designed to raise awareness of groundwater flooding in a way that is engaging, memorable and age-appropriate. And of course, children absolutely love their cuddly Darcy mole toys — seeing them hug their very own Darcy brings the story to life in the most heartwarming way.

(Don’t miss the special message at the end of this page if you know a child who would love their own Darcy toy and storybook.)

Visiting Heighington Millfield Primary Academy, Lincolnshire

Recently, we had the privilege of visiting Heighington Millfield Primary Academy in Lincolnshire to share Darcy’s Tale with pupils and teachers. It was a particularly poignant visit.

Following Storm Babet in October 2023, groundwater and surface water flooding swept through the school, forcing it to close for a significant period. This community understands the devastating impact of flooding first-hand. Meeting the children who experienced this event was both humbling and inspiring.

Now, just over two years on, the strength, resilience and community spirit within the school shines brighter than ever. Sharing Darcy’s Tale with them — a story that helps children understand groundwater flooding and environmental awareness — was truly an honour.

And yes — cuddly Darcy moles were in very high demand! Every child received their own Darcy toy and a copy of the storybook to take home, helping continue the conversation with families beyond the classroom.

Working together to educate the next generation

In partnership with Lincolnshire County Council and the Environment Agency, a coordinated effort is underway to ensure children across the country are informed, prepared and aware of the risks of groundwater flooding.

By using Darcy’s Tale as an educational tool, we are helping schools introduce important environmental topics in a positive, empowering way — building knowledge, resilience and confidence in young people nationwide.

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Pictures courtesy of Stuart Wilde Photography 

Win a Darcy Mole Toy & Darcy’s Tale Children’s Storybook

Now it’s your turn to bring home your very own Darcy mole and the magical children’s storybook Darcy’s Tale!

We’re giving away a limited number of Darcy mole cuddly toys and copies of our beautifully illustrated storybook to children aged 3–10 years.

How to enter:

  1. Download one of our official Darcy mole colouring sheets from the Lincolnshire Council Project Groundwater website.

  2. Get creative and colour it in!

  3. Email your finished masterpiece to Hello@talesfrommotherearth.co.uk

🎁 Every colouring sheet received wins a Darcy mole toy and a copy of Darcy’s Tale — while stocks last!

Perfect for young readers who love nature stories, cute characters, and creative fun.

Don’t miss out — this is a limited-time giveaway, and once our Darcy moles are gone, they’re gone!

           

           

 

 

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Why do we add audio to our storybooks?

Why the Audio Element of Our Storybooks Is So Important 🎧

At Tales from Mother Earth, we believe that children thrive when they can engage with stories in multiple ways. That’s why every storybook we create includes an audio element — a choice rooted in both personal experience and research-backed benefits for young learners.

Audio Storybooks: Supporting Every Child’s Learning Journey

As a parent, I’ve seen the difference that audiobooks can make. My own son wasn’t keen on traditional reading at first, so we explored audiobooks together. He listened, followed along with his finger on the words, and gradually developed a love for stories and literacy.

This experience directly inspired our approach at Tales from Mother Earth: we wanted our storybooks to be accessible to all children, including those with different learning abilities or SEND needs.

With audio, children can:

  • Follow along with the story

  • Engage with characters and themes

  • Learn conservation messages in an immersive way

  • Develop reading, listening, and comprehension skills

What Our Audio Storybooks Include

We go beyond simple narration. Each storybook comes with four dedicated audio tracks to create a rich, interactive learning experience:

  1. Full story narration – voiced by Mother Earth or storybook characters

  2. Read-along version – with page-turning sound effects for early readers

  3. Character theme music – enhancing immersion and engagement

  4. Mother Earth’s signature theme – a calming, memorable soundtrack

These elements combine to make reading, listening, and learning a fun, holistic experience for children.

The Benefits of Audiobooks for Children

Research consistently supports the value of audiobooks for literacy, development, and well-being. Experts and studies, including those highlighted by the Starglow Community, list 18 compelling benefits, such as:

  • Boosts vocabulary and comprehension

  • Encourages reluctant readers

  • Supports bilingual and ESL learners

  • Enhances focus, attention, and critical thinking

  • Strengthens pronunciation and fluency

  • Makes reading a shared family experience

  • Helps children with visual impairments

  • Reduces screen time

  • Expands cultural awareness

  • Fosters independence and self-confidence

Audiobooks are especially valuable for children who may struggle with traditional reading, helping them develop a love for stories, literacy skills, and emotional intelligence.

Why We Include Audio in Every Storybook

For us, the audio element is integral to the Tales from Mother Earth experience. It brings stories to life, reinforces important environmental and conservation messages, and provides an inclusive learning tool for children of all ages.

Whether your child is an early reader, a reluctant reader, or has learning differences, our storybooks — with audio — help them connect with nature, characters, and the joy of reading.

Explore Our Children’s Nature Storybook Collection

Discover our full range of children’s storybooks with audio and immerse your little learners in engaging stories, conservation lessons, and imaginative adventures.

Browse the Collection Here

 

 

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Introducing our storybook ‘Sitka Spruce the Amazing Timber Tree’ in Welsh!

NEW storybook ‘Sitka Spruce the Amazing Timber Tree’ in Welsh!

Tales from Mother Earth is delighted to announce the launch of Sbriwsen Sitka – y Goeden Bren Ryfeddol, the Welsh translation of Sitka Spruce the Amazing Timber Tree! This is our very first children’s audio/picture storybook produced in another language—and it’s now being sent out to all 1,277 primary schools in Wales, in both Welsh and English. This means that teachers can begin to build bilingual language lesson plans around the story in time for the new school year.

The Welsh version of the storybook was launched at WoodBUILD25, an annual two-day conference for the timber industry, held this year on 3–4 June in Llandudno. Organised by Woodknowledge Wales, the event brings together timber and construction stakeholders to collaborate, innovate and drive meaningful change. The conference proved to be the perfect setting for the book launch. To much applause, Gary Newman, CEO of Woodknowledge Wales, presented Sbriwsen Sitka to a room packed with interest during the celebration dinner.

“We’re thrilled to support the Welsh-language launch of Sitka Spruce the Amazing Timber Tree. It’s a wonderful example of how storytelling can spark curiosity in children about the natural world and the vital role timber plays in our lives. By reaching every primary school in Wales, this bilingual storybook helps us grow a future generation that values forests, materials and sustainability – in both Welsh and English.” Gary Newman, CEO, Woodknowledge Wales

Together with Morgan Sindall Construction and other enthusiastic partners, Woodknowledge Wales was instrumental in helping us develop the original English version of Sitka Spruce the Amazing Timber Tree in 2024—and now they’ve helped bring the Welsh version to life.

New Production Requirement

Translating a book into a language we don’t personally speak is a huge act of trust. Fortunately, we worked closely with the expert team at Cymen, who provided a wonderful Welsh translation that perfectly captured our words, passion, and tone. This care and attention extended to the supporting resources too, such as our newly created Welsh crossword puzzle, which was thoroughly checked and approved.

Because our books have a strong audio element, it was vital to find two talented Welsh speakers to bring the characters of Mother Earth and Sitka to life. That’s where tinint, a production and broadcast company based in Wales, stepped in. Their casting and production work brought just the right warmth, friendliness and energy to match the original English voices.

Our sincere thanks go to the brilliant team at Woodknowledge Wales for overseeing this development—what a great collaboration it has been!

Available now from our website shop

 

 

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Why Stanley the Water Vole?

Why Stanley? What’s in a Name?

Choosing the right character name for a children’s storybook is never accidental — and Stanley the Water Vole was no exception.

From the very beginning, the name Stanley perfectly captured the personality we imagined: curious, cautious, warm-hearted and quietly brave. Every character in our environmental children’s books is carefully named, sometimes after plenty of “buzz testing” to see what feels right. But with Stanley, the name stuck instantly — and it’s been a joy to see how many children and adults now adore him too.

Stanley isn’t just any animal — he’s a water vole, one of Britain’s most important yet vulnerable native mammals.

Water voles are often described as mini ecosystem engineers. Much like beavers (on a smaller scale), they play a crucial role in maintaining healthy riverbanks and supporting biodiversity. They are the largest vole species in the UK and have an incredibly varied plant-based diet.

In one scientific study, researchers examining a single water vole’s nest discovered an astonishing 182 different plants and berries stored for winter — just like Stanley does in our storybook.

However, water voles are sadly in serious decline. They are listed as Endangered on both the Great Britain and England Red List for Mammals. With an estimated UK population of around 132,000, they have experienced one of the most dramatic declines of any British mammal.

The main causes?

  • Habitat loss

  • Water pollution

  • Riverbank destruction

  • Plastic and litter contamination

And that’s exactly why Stanley’s story matters.

Stanley, Plastic Pollution & Protecting Our Rivers

Our children’s environmental storybook, Stanley the Water Vole, highlights the connection between wildlife and plastic pollution in a way young readers can truly understand.

Stanley doesn’t like humans near his burrow — they scare him. What he doesn’t realise is that some people are trying to help clean up the litter threatening his home.

Through storytelling, children learn:

  • How plastic pollution harms rivers and wildlife

  • Why litter affects biodiversity

  • How microplastics form and enter ecosystems

  • What we can all do to protect our waterways

By helping children connect emotionally with a wild animal, the message becomes lasting and meaningful.

And yes — many children tell us they never look at crisp packets the same way again!

Creating Litter Champions in Schools

Stanley has helped create litter champions and young environmental warriors across the UK.

Our workshops and school resources use the Stanley the Water Vole storybook to explore:

  • Plastic waste and decomposition timelines

  • Microplastics and their environmental impact

  • Recycling and waste management

  • The circular economy

  • Personal responsibility and positive action

Teachers and organisations continue to use Stanley’s story to engage pupils in environmental education in a way that feels empowering rather than overwhelming.

The best part?
Children truly get it. When we run workshops, pupils are eager to act responsibly and protect their environment — and that’s incredibly heartwarming to witness.

Buy Stanley the Water Vole

You can purchase your copy of Stanley the Water Vole and explore our other environmental children’s storybooks in our online shop.

All storybooks now include a QR code to download four accompanying audio tracks, bringing the stories to life at home or in the classroom.

If you’d like information about our environmental education workshops and school resources, please get in touch directly at:
Hello@talesfrommotherearth.co.uk

 

 

 

 

 

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