I’ve had a big project tucked away since this time last year, and I’m so thrilled to finally share it with all of you! (It’s been terribly hard to keep under wraps for so long.)

Last spring, shortly after I announced Green Magic Summer Camp, I was contacted by a publisher who wanted me to write and photograph a children’s book about herbs and herbal remedies. A book about wonderful weeds, homemade remedies, edible and medicinal plants, and so much more.

Needless to say, I jumped at the chance!

I spent much of last year out and about in the countryside near my home – foraging, dreaming up new recipes, and photographing ten of my favorite common edible and medicinal plants. (And dragging willing friends and family out into the fields and forests for photo shoots all season long.) And what fun we had.

The result was this: my first ever book. Pinch me!

Honestly, I couldn’t be more delighted. The concept, the process, the plants, the recipes–everything! This project brought together my lifelong long love of the natural world and passion for photography with my current love affair with herbs, and my my skills as a writer, naturalist, and educator. It’s the book 10 year old me would have done cartwheels over. (And, as it turns out, 45 year old me as well.)

Herbal Adventures begins by providing kids and their families with safe foraging basics. Then we dig deeper, exploring ten safe, common, backyard plants. Many of which you and your kids will already recognize!

Children get to know the plants through first-person introductions, then head outside to safely gather their own herbs for the recipes that follow. Or if you prefer, most recipes will accommodate purchased herbs as well if you’d like to skip the foraging and just get making.

Then snacks and drinks, oils and balms, sodas and syrups, and so much more are crafted with easy-to-follow instructions and recipes. I’ve even thrown some whimsical herbal crafts like flower crowns and seed bombs!

Herbal Adventures is the perfect first-step for beginners–or next-step for children and parents who have already dabbled in herbs, but want to take their knowledge further using safe, local plants.

In essence: this is the book that I wished I had for my own kids (and myself!) not so long ago.

Herbal Adventures is available for pre-order now!  (Release date in early December.) Or add your name to the email sign-up form below, then I’ll be sure to drop you a note when the book is released.

What a year this has been! And what a joy to put together this book for you and your kids. I can’t wait to hear what you think.

Which brings me to one more thing. One very important thing that needs to be said:

Thank you.

Thank you for coming here to read my words, week after week, year after year, some of you since the bumpy beginnings back in 2009. Through your feedback and having someone to write for, I have found my voice and further discovered my passion for sharing these things that I love with the world. Without you this book truly would not exist.

You did that. And I’m profoundly grateful.

Herbal Adventures includes:

• Foraging safety and basics
• Introduction to plant medicine
• Field ID and uses for 10 common, safe, and easy-to-recognize backyard plants (chickweed, mullein, bee balm, plantain, nettle, catnip, dandelion, elder, yarrow, and pine)
• Nearly 50 recipes for herbal snacks, syrups, teas, treats, balms, and more
• 10 craft projects ranging from herbal seed bombs to fairy houses to natural dyes
• Basic, adaptable recipes to use with other edible or medicinal herbs of your choosing

What fun I have had! And soon, so will you and your kids.

Big love,
Rachel