The Magic of Storytelling and Ponds by Rachel Lawston

Rachel Lawston, author of ‘Daisy and Jack’s Perfect Pond’, published by Pikku Publishing,  shares her thoughts on ‘The Magic of Storytelling and Ponds’ with us.

 For me, the best way to learn is through the power of storytelling. I love non-fiction in many forms, but narrative non-fiction has always been the best way to connect and truly understand the information being shared.

 As a child, whenever we spent time with Eric and Nanny Irene, they often took us on terrifying car journeys (Eric was old enough that he never did have to take a driving test) to local National Trust or English Heritage sites. There, I would listen to stories told, explore and imagine…

 Eric was a fantastic storyteller and loved to drive, but sometimes, just sometimes, we managed to keep him away from his old Volvo, and those days were extraordinary because they had two large ponds in their garden.

 Connected by a little waterfall (expertly hidden inside a miniature concrete castle was a pump), the two ponds were home to many exciting pond creatures – even a visiting heron, much to Eric’s dismay!

 I recall being mesmerised by the koi carp in the larger pond and the wildlife for which the top pond was reserved. Hours would be spent searching for and discovering the creatures that hid in those ponds.

 As a child, I remember ponds being commonplace in gardens; for me, the idea of a pond in a garden feels natural.

 Over the years, many garden ponds have been filled in, mainly due to safety concerns. But Froglife, a national wildlife conservation charity concerned with conserving the UK’s reptile and amphibian species and their associated habitats, recommends against filling in ponds because they are essential habitats for wetland wildlife, whether natural or artificial.

 Garden ponds are vital for amphibians, invertebrates, birds, reptiles and bats in urban areas where wetland habitats are more scarce. But they also provide the necessary places for children to connect with nature. 

Many believe a large garden is needed, as they imagine a full-size pond is necessary for nature to flourish, but wildlife will use mini-ponds and patio ponds.

Plant pots, recycled sinks, and even old seed trays are perfect for creating a small pond. Sunken or raised, they make the ideal sanctuary for amphibians and other garden friends to access water and cool down in the hot summer months. If you choose a raised pond, you can provide access by creating a ramp using old wooden planks, logs, pebbles or plants. 

It won’t be just the local wildlife that will benefit from adding a mini-pond to your garden. Ponds can be an excellent educational resource for children, too. Under adult supervision, they can learn about wildlife identification, biodiversity, ecosystems and food chains. Ponds are also a great way to help children learn to empathise with nature, allowing them to form strong connections with the natural world.

 Because ponds support more species than any other freshwater habitat, the WWT Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust call them “important hotspots for biodiversity.”

 As well as providing nature corridors, ponds play an essential role in our lives. Supporting and strengthening the connection between ourselves and wildlife regardless of where we live, be it a town, city or village.

 Growing up in the countryside and sharing adventures with Eric and Nanny Irene gave me a deep connection to the environment, which I am passionate about sharing.

 Despite living in London now, I am an education volunteer at WWT London Wetland Centre in Barnes, helping urban children discover nature.

 But narrative non-fiction allows me to take that one step further. Through writing narrative non-fiction, I can reach more children and help them discover the wonder of ponds.

 If you would like to learn more about pond safety and the importance of the humble garden pond, I highly recommend visiting froglife.org and wwt.org.uk

 Many thanks to Rachel and the team at Pikkufor taking part in NNFN2023. You can find out more about Rachel on her website- https://rachellawston.com/.

We have 10 copies of ‘Daisy and Jack’s Perfect Pond’ to giveaway! Check out our social media for more details!