TWO local charities are helping Pembrokeshire's primary schools to connect their pupils with the natural world by providing each establishment with a copy of The Lost Words.

The Friends of Pembrokeshire Coast National Park and the West Wales Children's Book Group (WWCBG) have worked together to provide a copy of the award-winning book by local artist Jackie Morris and poet Robert Macfarlane for each of the county's 57 primary schools.

The Lost Words was published in 2017 to great acclaim, topping bestseller lists and winning multiple awards.

It came about after both Jackie and Robert were asked to be among 25 signatories to a letter asking that certain nature words were re-introduced to the Oxford Junior Dictionary.

The pair wanted to create something that put the words back into people's hearts and souls.

"They need to be looking at nature," said Jackie. "Children who see a small brown bird need to know that's a wren."

The Lost Words is a large format book, celebrating twenty iconic animals and plants through poetry and beautiful illustrations, which have captivated children and adults alike.

To help teachers and parents to inspire children using the book, Eva John, adviser for basic skills and literacy at Pembrokeshire County Council and chairman of WWCBG, has produced additional materials, including The Lost Words Explorer's Guide, copies of which have also been provided to Pembrokeshire's schools.

"We feel a particularly close affinity with this beautiful book as Jackie Morris, the illustrator, lives near St Davids and her close observations of the local landscape have informed her glorious illustrations for Robert Macfarlane's enchanting and celebratory nature spells, said Eva.

Ian Chambers, trustee of the Friends of Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, added: "We are delighted to be making a positive contribution to local schools in this way. We hope the book will inspire children to engage with the nature within our wonderful National Park."