23 BOOK REVIEWS Bookstand The latest releases in gift books HOW PLANTS CAN SAVE YOUR LIFE By Dr Ross Cameron RRP: £25 Format: Hardback Growing plants and creating gardens is deeply rewarding, but there’s increasing evidence that a relationship with the natural world is vital for our health and wellbeing. Being exposed to plants either inside or outside of the home, cultivating them and taking part in garden activities has been linked to: • reduced frequency or severity of depression • reduced anxiety and stress • delays in the onset of dementia • increased feelings of joy • improvements in physical fitness • enhanced self-esteem • better communication skills • better diet In one study, Dr Cameron and colleagues provided some non-gardeners with planted pots to place in front of their homes so that they would notice them as they entered and left. Over a number of weeks, they observed that these people had significantly healthier levels of the stress hormone cortisol – indicating less chronic stress – than similar residents who had not been given plants. In the most extreme cases, providing views of and access to local green space has been linked to lower levels of domestic violence and even less gun crime. There are many ways a plant might save your life! This new book explores the ways we can introduce plants into our lives – with or without a garden – and thus embrace some of the benefits the natural world provides for our well-being. Divided into 50 sections, each one highlights a plant-based activity, how this is good for your health and provides links to the underlying concept that supports health and well-being. Written by environmental horticulture expert Dr Ross Cameron, this book will offer readers a wealth of ideas on planting and growing as well as explaining the latest science research behind those ideas. www.quercusbooks.co.uk THE BABY WITCH’S JOURNAL By Astrid Carval RRP: £10.99 ISBN: 978 1 80007 714 0 Format: Paperback Calling all baby witches! Have you ever wanted to develop your intuitive powers to look into the future and manifest your dreams? Are you interested in learning how to harness the moon’s power to cast the most potent spells for love and happiness? Or maybe you’re just curious about all this witchy stuff and want to know more? If so, The Baby Witch’s Journal is for you! Part journal and part beginner’s guide, the beautifully designed The Baby Witch’s Journal will reveal the many different kinds of witchcraft there are and provides thoughtful questions to help you discover which kind of witch you are – a celestial witch? A weather witch? A divination witch? Or an earth witch? With easy-to-follow spells and rituals for every occasion and every kind of witch, and your very own grimoire pages to record the spells you have cast and any that you’ve devised yourself, The Baby Witch’s Journal will set you on the path to discovering your true witchy self. www.summersdale.com THE RAMBLER’S HANDBOOK RRP: £16.99 Format: Paperback Britain is brimming with stunning walks, and this go-to guide from The Ramblers sets out 40 favourite routes around the UK. Arranged by season, each walk includes detailed route instructions, a map, and notes about landmarks and wildlife to keep an eye out for. Amble through bluebellcarpeted West Country woodlands in spring and explore North Yorkshire’s limestone slopes ablaze with wildflowers in early summer. Experience the fiery autumnal hues of the Wye Valley Forest, or take a winter walk to see the fallow deer in Richmond Park. The book encompasses a beautiful selection of varied walks all over the UK, from short country strolls to challenging hill hikes, gentle woodland wanders to breathtaking cliff-path adventures, and even urban city walks – there are routes to cater for all levels of fitness and experience from easy, leisurely and moderate to strenuous and technical. As well as 40 stunning walks, The Rambler’s Handbook includes chapters on the health and wellbeing benefits of walking; from mindful walking to ‘forest bathing’ – a decades-old therapy first developed in Japan – and what to wear and carry for the different seasons and terrains. Also included are case studies with Ramblers’ members, such as Louise Trewarn, who talks about how walking helped to ease the pain of her arthritis and fibromyalgia. www.quercusbooks.co.uk THE KING’S CROWN RRP: £7.99 Ladybird is thrilled to introduce a colourful new page-turner this spring, the interactive lift-the-flap adventure, The King’s Crown. Ready to royally inspire little readers, the engaging story book will help little ones join in with the magic of the King’s Coronation through vibrant illustrations and a rhyming, follow-along story. Celebrate the upcoming Coronation as a family with the exciting search-and-find, lift-the-flap story book! Parents can enjoy reading with their little ones as they explore the colourful castle with its many hidden treasures, engaging them in the historic event that is taking place in May. The delightful rhyming story takes little ones on an adventure around the palace to find the King’s crown ahead of the Big Parade. The poor King has lost his golden crown, and it’s down to the readers to find it! Look underneath the tablecloth, behind the bookcase and even in the palace gardens to see what you can find. There are lots of characters to meet along the way and this exciting adventure is full of surprises that little readers are sure to love! Ideal for 2 years+, the totally charming lift-the-flap book boosts fine motor skills and inspires imaginative play. Children can explore each page to look for hidden clues and characters, whilst enjoying the rhyming story which can either be read to them by a parent, or be read independently by older children. www.penguin.co.uk
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