The Wheel of the Year: An Illustrated Guide to Nature's Rhythms - Hardcover

by Fiona Cook (Author), Jessica Roux (Illustrator)

A beautifully illustrated, interactive guide to ancient, nature-based holidays and customs. Through themed meditations, crafts, and rituals, young readers can learn about old and new ways of honoring the seasons--and create their own!

A NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER AND KIRKUS BEST MIDDLE GRADE BOOK OF 2023

"This book is, in a word, immaculate."--Kirkus Reviews (Starred Review)

Blending nature connection with art, poetry, and myth, The Wheel of the Year conveys the magic and beauty of ancient traditions and encourages young family members to notice, care for, and celebrate the natural world around them. A thoughtful reference and gift book suitable for either leisure reading or homeschooling, it is geared toward younger readers but enjoyable for those of all ages seeking a deeper connection to nature's traditions.

Each "spoke" in The Wheel of the Year marks an important turning point: the winter and summer solstices, the spring and fall equinoxes, and the festivals of seeding, growing, and harvesting that arrive in between. Within each section, enjoy:

• An overview of the holiday and its significance in cultures around the world
• A sensory scavenger hunt for sights, sounds, and smells the season
• Ideas for a seasonal altar using objects from nature
• Themed crafts, rituals, games, and recipes

Author Biography

Fiona Cook is a writer and visual artist living in Chicago. She is a mother, friend, gardener, and union home health care worker. In 2018, she designed a deck of Lenormand cards for divination, and her book of poetry, Conspire is a word that means to breathe together, was published by the EGG Gallery and Press. In 2020, she released Turn It on Its Head, a collection of illustrated riddles. Fiona is inspired by the magic, mystery, and mischief of our planet Earth and draws from that relationship in her work.

Jessica Roux is a Nashville-based freelance illustrator and plant and animal enthusiast. She loves exploring in her own backyard and being surrounded by an abundance of nature. Using subdued colors and rhythmic shapes, she renders flora and fauna with intricate detail reminiscent of old-world beauty. She is the author and illustrator behind Floriography: An Illustrated Guide to the Victorian Language of Flowers and Woodland Wardens Oracle Deck & Guidebook.