Delve into the Museum of Childhood’s book collection and explore the links between wellbeing and nature introduced to us through books from an early age. This exhibition will look at how stories and the exploration of nature come together in our childhood experiences. Flowers, trees, animals, insects and birds feature heavily in children’s books, set in both the real world and imaginary worlds.
Children’s books from the last 150 years will be on display with beautiful illustrations, poetry and information about how to find green spaces throughout Edinburgh. The positive influences of nature on mental health and wellbeing will be examined alongside a programme of public events for children and families.
This exhibition is a partnership project between the Museum of Childhood and SELCIE at the University of Edinburgh and is on display at the MUSEUM OF EDINBURGH.
Events programme
LECTURES AND TALKS
Saturday 31 May, 2pm - Happy Hands and Happy Faces, Happy Play in Grassy Places
Thursday 24 July, 2pm - Petticoats and Plants - The Untold Story of Scotland’s Gardening Women 1800-1930
ADULT CREATIVE WORKSHOPS
Saturday 21 June, 10.30am - 3.30pm - Watercolour Fairies and Storybook Creatures
Sunday 27 July, 10.30am - 3.30pm - Stop Animation Folklore Character Workshop
FAMILY NATURE WORKSHOPS
Sunday 27 April, 2pm - Wild Food: What to forage in spring
Sunday 1 June, 2pm - Remembering the Gardens of Childhood
FAMILY FOLKLORE WORKSHOPS
Saturday 26 July, 10.30am - Characters from Nature
Saturday 26 July, 1.30pm - Characters from Nature
FAMILY STORYTELLING SESSIONS
Saturday 9 August, 2pm - Dandelions and Other Lost Words: Family Storytelling
Saturday 9 August, 3pm - Dandelions and Other Lost Words: Family Storytelling
Saturday 16 August, 2pm - Off the Beaten Path: A Storytelling Journey into Childhood’s Imagined Worlds
Saturday 16 August, 3pm - Off the Beaten Path: A Storytelling Journey into Childhood’s Imagined Worlds
WELLBEING SESSIONS
Saturday 5 April, 10.15am - Braxton's 'Threads of the Universe’: Wellbeing Sessions in the Museum Courtyard
Saturday 3 May, 10.15am - Braxton's 'Threads of the Universe’: Wellbeing Sessions in the Museum Courtyard
Saturday 24 May, 10am - Finding Nature in the City: An Introduction to Urban Forest Bathing in the Museum Courtyard
Sunday 7 June, 10.15am - Braxton's 'Threads of the Universe’: Wellbeing Sessions in the Museum Courtyard
Saturday 14 June, 10am - Finding Nature in the City: An Introduction to Urban Forest Bathing in the Museum Courtyard
Saturday 5 July, 10.15am - Braxton's 'Threads of the Universe’: Wellbeing Sessions in the Museum Courtyard
Saturday 23 August, 10.15am - Braxton's 'Threads of the Universe’: Wellbeing Sessions in the Museum Courtyard
Saturday 6 September, 10.15am - Braxton's 'Threads of the Universe’: Wellbeing Sessions in the Museum Courtyard
Sunday 7 September, 10am - Finding Nature in the City: An Introduction to Urban Forest Bathing in the Museum Courtyard
Nurture Through Nature with Children’s Books