Jackie Morris’s work captures the beauty of the natural world while reflecting on the deeper losses we face. There is often a sadness to it. Her collaborations, such as with Robert Macfarlane highlight her ability to create art that is not only visually stunning but also thought-provoking.
A good book or a powerful piece of art will stay with you long after you’ve experienced it, and in the case of these books, exhibitions and more I also can’t stop thinking about the statistics behind the works.
The Collaborations of Morris and Macfarlane
• A spellbook with poetry by Robert Macfarlane and illustrations by Jackie Morris, designed to celebrate and revive “lost” nature words removed from children’s dictionaries.
2. The Lost Words Exhibition (2018-2019)
• A touring exhibition that displayed original artwork from The Lost Words along with Macfarlane’s poetry. It was held at venues such as Compton Verney and The Foundling Museum.
• A BBC Proms event that brought The Lost Words to life with live music and visual displays of Morris’s artwork at the Royal Albert Hall.
4. The Lost Words: Spell Songs (2019)
• A musical adaptation of The Lost Words, performed by British folk musicians and accompanied by a UK tour featuring live music, spoken word, and Morris’s illustrations.
5. The Lost Words Outdoor Installations (2017 onward)
• Outdoor installations across the UK, such as The Lost Words Trail at Compton Verney, showcasing large-scale illustrations and poetry in natural settings.
6. The Lost Spells (2020)
• A follow-up to The Lost Words, featuring new spell-poems and illustrations to further reconnect readers with nature.
7. The Lost Spells: Spell Songs II (2021)
• A second Spell Songs album, this time based on The Lost Spells, again performed by British folk musicians and combining live music with visual art.
8. Lost Spells, Lost Words: Beyond & Before Exhibition (2024)
• A major exhibition at the Rheged Centre from June to September 2024, showcasing over 250 of Jackie Morris’s artworks, including original illustrations from The Lost Words and The Lost Spells, alongside other pieces from her 30-year career .
9. The Book of Birds: Words and Pictures (Upcoming)
• An anticipated new project focused on birds, blending Macfarlane’s prose and Morris’s illustrations, expected to release soon.
It may seem odd for something so visually stunning and filled with beautiful words to bring your mind back to hard facts. Yet, alongside the sensory experience, the sobering figures that inspired Morris and Macfarlane’s projects are both striking and deeply sad. It all started with The Lost Words in 2017 which made the Wainwright Prize Shortlist.
Brace yourself.
Research from Cambridge University found 8-11 year old schoolchildren to be 'substantially better' at identifying common Pokémon characters than common species of British wildlife such as badgers or oak trees.
A 2016 survey showed that three-quarters of British children spend less time outdoors than prisoners do.
By 2015, words culled by the Oxford University Press Junior Dictionary included bluebell, conker, heron, acorn and kingfisher.
That third bullet point led to a campaign to reinstall these lost words and many like them, and Jackie Morris was one of the signatories of a letter drawn up by Laurence Rose and Mark Cocker. This was the inspiration for The Lost Words, a 'spell-book' which celebrates the power of nature to spark imagination.
12 of Britain's Best Children's Book Illustrators
1. Beatrix Potter – Famous for The Tale of Peter Rabbit, her charming watercolours of animals in the natural world have enchanted generations.
2. Quentin Blake – Known for illustrating Roald Dahl’s books (e.g., Matilda and The BFG), his lively and playful drawings are iconic in British children’s literature.
3. E.H. Shepard – His classic illustrations for Winnie-the-Pooh and The Wind in the Willows are deeply beloved, full of warmth and nostalgia.
4. Shirley Hughes – Celebrated for Alfie and Dogger, her detailed and relatable illustrations capture the essence of childhood and family life.
5. Arthur Rackham – Renowned for his intricate, haunting illustrations in fairy tales like Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens and Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.
6. Raymond Briggs – Creator of The Snowman and Father Christmas, his expressive style and poignant narratives have become British Christmas staples.
7. Oliver Jeffers – Known for Lost and Found and The Day the Crayons Quit, his quirky, modern illustrations and storytelling are favourites worldwide.
8. Lauren Child – Creator of Charlie and Lola and Clarice Bean, her mixed-media, playful illustrations appeal to both children and adults with their contemporary charm.
9. Emily Gravett – Award-winning illustrator known for books like Wolves and Little Mouse’s Big Book of Fears, pushing the boundaries of traditional children’s books.
10. Jackie Morris – Illustrator of The Lost Words and The Lost Spells, her intricate, nature-inspired illustrations beautifully reflect the natural world and environmental themes.
11. John Burningham – Known for Mr Gumpy’s Outing and Avocado Baby, his simple yet expressive style has made him a beloved figure in children’s literature.
12. Helen Oxenbury – Celebrated for her illustrations in We’re Going on a Bear Hunt and Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, her warm, joyful illustrations capture the spirit of childhood.
Each lost word inspired an acrostic 'spell' penned by Macfarlane for which Jackie would create three images - the first being a scene in which the bird or animal has left a yawning space in the world, much like the tree at Sycamore Gap, the second an illustration on gold background of the creature which represents their 'conjuring' back by the spell, and the third a complete picture of wildlife and habitat reunited.
The idea that children have become less exposed to and therefore interested in nature to the extent that words are disappearing from our language is disturbing and poses a threat to our communities. Perhaps more worrying is the reverse of this - that losing the word is the first step towards losing the species. How can you care for something that has no name?
When seen up close and large, Jackie Morris's art transcends the postcards and book covers where it is often used. Her pictures are intimate and affectionate. There is a tradition in them, something about the combination of free-flowing watercolours and clear, dark outlines and brushstrokes. It's as if she is giving clarity to her dreams. Her style is familiar but I can't put my finger on it. Something from my childhood, bible stories, Tolkien, Lewis ... it's impossible to be sure but it is classical, and it is comforting.
Particularly intriguing are the images on gold. They are like Victorian specimens, trapped and held to be examined. With context removed, the incredible beauty, intricacies and details of their forms are there to be studied. And how they stand out.
Jackie Morris is an illustrator of tremendous power, sending an essential message.
If you buy your Jackie Morris (LoveReading4Kids) and Robert Macfarlane (Lovereading) books at Lovereading, 25% of the cover price can be sent to your chosen school library.
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