Tag Archive for: environment

Darcy’s Tale

Darcy’s Tale – the groundwater flooding storybook project and your chance to own one!

Recently we had the delight of working with Project Groundwater Greater Lincolnshire and the Environment Agency on the Darcy’s Tale project which began as an amazing short film by Aardman. By expanding the story content, we were able to produce a  children’s storybook which was published in June 2025 . And now we’re offering you the chance of getting your hands on a Darcy cuddly toy and book! Read on till the end to find out more..

The topic of this tale is groundwater flooding and it features Darcy as the main character, a little mole who is looking for love.  The content also highlights a strong message of community spirit, and teaches children how we should all look out for each other, and the fact that this is even more important when adversity strikes. Without a doubt, our environment is changing and with that our weather patterns and storms are becoming much more frequent and severe. Now it seems very common to hear forecasts with red, amber and yellow weather alerts some with risk to life being broadcast, where as once, not so long ago it was fairly unusual.  With these huge storm fronts comes more rain, and ultimately this is due to climate change, so therefore the urgency to educate children on the topic of groundwater flooding is very real and present.

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

Children up and down the country are becoming more familiar with Darcy’s Tale now, as the activities mount and the national interest grows. Also, children adore their cuddly Darcy’s and it’s wonderful to see them engaging with them. Don’t forget we have a special message at the end of this page if you know of someone who would love to own a Darcy toy and storybook too. 

Recently we visited the children and teachers at Heighington Millfield Primary Academy in Lincolnshire and shared our story Darcy’s Tale with them. It was a very poignant meeting, as this community understand the dangers of groundwater flooding all too well, after Storm Babet in October 2023, groundwater and surface water swept through their school and premises forcing the doors to close for a considerable amount of time. Meeting the children who have first-hand knowledge of that experience was sobering, and they are a credit to their school, as the values of community and resilience were there for all to see – shining brightly. It’s just passed the second anniversary of the event and to share our story was our absolute pleasure. Cuddly Darcy’s were in demand too, and everyone got a little mole and a storybook to take home! With the wonderful team at Lincolnshire Country Council and the Environment Agency a combined effort is being made to ensure that children across the country are informed and alert to the dangers of groundwater flooding and they are using Darcy’s Tale to drive this message.

       

Pictures courtesy of Stuart Wilde Photography 

Now it’s your turn to own a Darcy mole and storybook!

If you know of someone between 3-10 years whom you believe would like to own their very own copy of our storybook ‘Darcy’s Tale’ and a cute cuddly Darcy mole we have a few to give away. All you have to do is colour in one of our set colouring pictures found here on the Lincolnshire Council Project Groundwater website and send it back to us to  Hello@talesfrommotherearth.co.uk – and every picture received gets a book and toy gift while stocks last and for a limited time only.

   

   

So don’t delay, all you have to do is select your image, download the pictures, share them with a child and get colouring – it’s that simple!

 

/by

Have Children Lost the Art of Playing Outside?

Guest Blog by Georgie McIntyre – Avant Consultancy Ltd, where she explores whether or not children have lost the art of playing outside and the importance of this.

 

   

Not long ago, childhood meant grazed knees, muddy hands, and imaginations fuelled by nothing but the natural world. These days, I often wonder if children have lost the art of playing outside.

For many of us, the answer feels uncomfortable. The pull of screens, tightly packed schedules, and growing worries about safety have shifted the shape of childhood. But quietly, gently, there’s a movement rekindling our children’s connection with the world around them. And Tales from Mother Earth is one of its brightest sparks.

Founded by the passionate and brilliant Jenny Bailey, Tales from Mother Earth is an eco-publishing company producing beautiful, immersive storybooks told through the voice of Mother Earth herself. Their mission? To ignite the conservationist in all of us, especially children, through the simple yet powerful medium of storytelling.

Their philosophy is simple yet impactful:

“Let’s teach our kids what they can do to look after the wildlife that needs help today and improve our children’s mental health at the same time, whilst they listen and engage with a story that touches their hearts, connecting them with nature in the most positive of ways.”

And they do exactly that, through engaging, emotionally relatable storytelling for children aged 3–10.

I had the joy of interviewing Jenny last year and was struck by her authenticity, drive, and belief in this work. She’s a mother to a neurodivergent child, and her passion for accessible, real-world education shines through everything she does. Her approach is storytelling with heart and purpose. It’s about giving children the tools to care, the language to understand, and the belief that they can make a difference.

Tales from Mother Earth’s Storybooks

In just four short years, they’ve brought to life a collection of characters that children adore and provide real-world learning:

🐝 Meet Phoebe the Bee – a hardworking little bee who could be any of the busy pollinators in your garden. Phoebe bravely tries to save her family and hive. Through Phoebe’s story, children learn how vital bees are to our ecosystems and what simple actions they can take to help.

🦔 Meet Spike the Hedgehog – a brave young hedgehog on a journey to find a safe new home. Spike could be the next prickly friend you discover rustling through your garden at dusk. His story encourages children to think about how small changes to our habits and spaces can help protect this much-loved mammal.

🌊 Meet Stanley the Water Vole – a curious riverbank explorer who suddenly notices strange new visitors… pieces of plastic falling from the sky and polluting his beloved waterway. Stanley’s story gently explores the impact of plastic waste on wildlife while showing children they can be part of the solution.

🌲 Meet Sitka the Spruce, the Amazing Timber Tree – a story that celebrates the qualities of timber, particularly the Sitka Spruce, the tree of choice across the UK’s timber industry. (Commissioned by Morgan Sindall), this book teaches children about sustainable forestry and how timber can be reused within the built environment.

🌼 Journey to the Green Roof – commissioned by the GRO (Green Roof Organisation),  We meet Freya, a hairy-footed flower bee, and Sarah, a European seven-spotted ladybird, each swept up in their own unexpected adventure. This story explores the incredible biodiversity benefits of green roofs. As the day unfolds, everything changes for them in ways they never imagined, but both come to the same heartfelt conclusion that every roof should be green.

Each book is designed to educate and inspire without fear or anxiety, helping children see that everyone can do something. And they’re not just learning about nature; the books help to build emotional connection, empathy and a sense of responsibility.

What I love most is that these stories go beyond the facts. They nurture empathy, curiosity, and care. They connect young minds to the real world around them, encouraging questions. That matters. Especially when we know that time spent in nature benefits children’s mental health and emotional wellbeing. Research shows that taking children out supports creativity, improves immunity, reduces anxiety, and helps young children feel more grounded. It’s a natural reset to any climate anxiety a child may be experiencing. A reminder that everyone can do something.

Whether it’s through Forest School, outdoor education, or just having the freedom to get muddy, children need time outside. And when that experience is woven with kindness, storytelling, and purpose, it becomes even more powerful.

The research backs it up……

Outdoor play has enormous benefits for children across every aspect of their development:

Physical health

Outdoor play supports improved fitness, coordination, and stamina. Children who spend more time outside are more physically active and less likely to become overweight (NI Direct, 2024). Natural sunlight also supports healthy vitamin D production, which is vital for bone growth and overall wellbeing.

“Children who engage in outdoor play exhibit improved physical fitness, agility, and stamina.”

Mental health and emotional wellbeing

Green spaces have been shown to reduce stress and improve children’s mood, sleep, and attention span. Spending time in nature has a calming effect, reducing stress and promoting relaxation. Outdoor play allows children to explore and take risks, fostering a sense of accomplishment and boosting self-esteem. According to the Children & Nature Network,

“Exposure to green environments significantly reduces symptoms of ADHD and improves attention in young people.”

Social and emotional development

Outdoor environments allow children to connect, play collaboratively, take risks, and build resilience. Nature play stimulates creativity and imagination, allowing children to invent their own activities. As highlighted in Child Mind Institute research:

“Children’s emotional regulation improves dramatically after just 20 minutes of outdoor, unstructured play.”

Cognitive development

Nature is an influential teacher. Exploring natural environments encourages creativity, problem-solving, and curiosity. Time outdoors has been linked to improved learning outcomes and stronger focus back in the classroom.

“Children who spend more time in nature have shown improved cognitive skills and better attention spans.” (Psychology Today, 2023)

Tales from Mother Earth champion these opportunities through gentle and grounded storytelling, it reconnects children with the world around them. It invites them to play, go outside, care, and understand that they are part of something bigger and that they can make a difference.

If you’re a parent, teacher, carer, or simply someone who wants to see children flourish, I encourage you to explore their work. You can find their storybooks here: https://talesfrommotherearth.co.uk/shop.

Let’s bring back the mud, the wonder, and the wild. Let’s help our children rediscover the art of playing outside and show them, through story and nature, just how much they matter in this world.

Georgie is the founder of Avant Consultancy Ltd, who supports Tales from Mother Earth and organisations who want to grow, scale or evolve, without losing sight of who they are and are values led. You can follow Georgie on https://www.linkedin.com/in/georgiemcintyre/ for more of her insights or DM if you are interested in her support.

 

References:

  • NI Direct (2024). Playing outdoors: The benefits for children. Available at: www.nidirect.gov.uk
  • Child Mind Institute (2023). Why kids need to spend time in nature. Available at: www.childmind.org
  • Children & Nature Network (2021). Research: Green settings and ADHD. Available at: www.childrenandnature.org
  • Psychology Today (2023). All kids need time in nature – and the planet needs that too. Available at: www.psychologytoday.com

 

/by
,

Why Stanley the Water Vole?

Why Stanley? What’s in a name?

The name Stanley fitted our image and character of a water vole perfectly, and so the story was written with his name fixed and in place right from the start. In fact every character name chosen for our storybooks is crucially important to me, and sometimes I conduct a buzz test to see what sounds the best!

Other times, I share my thoughts and we bounce some names around, but for Stanley I loved him from the start and it’s a joy to know that many children and adults do too.

 

Why a water vole?

Water voles are important in our environment as they are mini ecosystem engineers, rather like beavers but on a smaller scale,  and they contribute greatly to healthy river ecology. They are the largest of the vole family in our country and have an exceptionally wide appetite of vegetation. In fact scientists discovered when studying a vole’s nest by random, that one single vole had approximately 182 different plants and berries in it’s larder already stocked away for the colder months ahead – just like in Stanley’s story. For more information on water voles check out these details from the Kent Wildlife Trust. 

Water voles are sadly in decline, and are listed as endangered on both the Great Britain and the England Red List for Mammals. Population in GB is around 132,000 and they have undergone one of the most serious declines of any mammal in Britain. With one of the reasons for their decline being habitat loss and water pollution, the marriage between our Stanley and the plastic litter issue was sealed.

We wanted children to understand the connection between the two and that by disposing of litter properly would allow for cleaner environments especially in or by the water where Stanley and his friends live. So our storybook details this issue precisely and introduces children to a wild animal, and one who doesn’t like people coming near his home as it scares him. He, as in Stanley doesn’t understand that the humans are there to ultimately help and clean up the environment. So our storybook teaches children how our waterways can be impacted by plastic pollution and how our wildlife suffers as a result of people’s careless actions, and of course what we can all do to help in this situation.

Litter Champions and Stanley!

Stanley has been instrumental in creating many litter champions and environmental warriors around the country throughout schools.  Lots of organisations continue to use his resources and storybook to highlight the message of litter, plastic and engage children with our various fun activities, for instance, teaching them how long plastic can be sitting in our environment prior to it breaking down into microplastics and what that means for biodiversity and us too.

Contact me directly if you’d like more information regarding our workshop resources jenny@talesfrommotherearth.co.uk

Children get it!! 

Children really understand the message and when I run our workshops, the kids are eager to act responsibly and get litter disposed of correctly which is so heartwarming. The message within our Stanley also touches on recycling, waste and the circular economy all important subjects for young minds to understand.

It’s a joy to see children engage with our storybook Stanley the Water Vole, and judging from the comments and feedback we get, I know they’ll never look at crisp packets the same again!

 

 

To purchase your copy of Stanley the Water Vole and see some of our other children’s titles, please go to https://talesfrommotherearth.co.uk/shopwhere-you-can-purchase-our-childrens-audio-picture-storybooks/

All storybooks now with QR code for downloading our audio tracks x4

 

 

 

/by