Poetry

The Natural Wonder Series

This series of participatory poems by Ruthie Collins is funded by Arts Council England and is inspired by the wonder of the natural world, with her public poem ‘Dreaming of Albion, Sailing With Maud’ commissioned by Norfolk County Council as a starting point. Taking inspiration from the biodiversity of nature, from eels, stars and bats, to the very soil, there is something for everyone to enjoy – with cross curricula resources to support literacy, science and geography learning too.

Natural Wonder is featured in The Curriculum Compendium as an inspirational case study, published by Bloomsbury in 2024 (edited by Rae Snape).

The poems can be enjoyed as a series, plus come with a trail of popular wild locations across the Norfolk landscape that are perfect for visits – including a public art sculpture installed at Strumpshaw Fen featuring lines from a poem co-created by children at Brundall Primary School commissioned by the RSPB.

Poems have been piloted in schools and with children across Norfolk – created to inspire engagement with biodiversity and nature. Each poem comes with participatory action to help create access to conservation, nature and biodiversity.

Groups, schools, families and educators can also use a 20 piece outdoor character trail accompanying the series commissioned by the Broads Authority, to inspire outdoor fun and learning about biodiversity! You can enjoy this with an illustrated book version of the poems and gain awards, take action to help the natural world with the Natural Wonder Learning Framework, too.

The Last Eel on Earth was also published as a mini book in educational packs commissioned by the Broads Authority, with support from Love The Broads and the Broads Trust – illustrated by Bronwen Vaughan – to help launch the first ever World Eel Day in 2023.

Email ruthie@ruthiecollins.co.uk for information on the series, the character trail, or to request an educational pack for Last Eel on Earth.

Hollie McnishSunday Times bestselling author and winner of Ted Hughes Award for New Work In Poetry (2016)
A gorgeous collection of poems for a gorgeous cause. A marvel of poems every kid should have access to.
Nick SandersonEducation Officer – The Broads Authority
It’s great to help people learn about natural history and heritage through getting outdoors and also learning through literature, creativity and having fun.
Julia HendersonHead – Henderson Green Primary Academy (2021)
The staff and I at Henderson Green Primary Academy have seen a significant improvement in children who have been learning and working with Ruthie through Natural Wonder. This has been evident in self-disciplined attitudes to learning. Children being more attentive, more engaged, interested. Children’s learning outdoors on science, geography and literacy have witnessed children being less stressed, more physically active and most of all a real enjoyment and understanding of how nature promotes social connection and creativity. All of these aspects of working with nature have been significant in improving learning and the love of nature.

Podcasts

Have a listen to our exclusive Natural Wonder podcasts here!

Wonder of Eels Podcast: Episode Two

Writer Ruthie Collins discusses how literature can help us engage with nature, asking authors and community leaders for nature-inspired book recommendations that you can take outside.

There are accompanying writing prompts and walks around the mouth of the Waveney River to accompany the podcast, inspired by Ruthie Collins’ public poem commissioned by Norfolk County Council, ‘Dreaming of Albion, Sailing With Maud’, due for install at Great Yarmouth. 

Guests include Emily Winter (River Waveney Trust), Daisy Henwood (Co-Director, TOAST Poetry), Nisreen Meddings (mother of two and translator), Nick Hayes (author, The Book of Trespass), Joe Hedinger (founder, Page Against The Machine).

Wonder of Eels Podcast: Episode One

Listen in for a snapshot into the conversations and processes shared during our Wonder of Eels tour of workshops and visits with The Last Eel on Earth from the Natural Wonder collection, to schools and groups across North Norfolk – from visitors to Age Concern North Norfolk in Sheringham playing eels & ladders, to readings of the children’s poems and in school interviews with the young poets as the poems come to life. Hear insights from residents such as fishermen and the nephew of an eel catcher on childhood memories of catching eels in Norfolk, as well as from education officer from the Broads Authority Nick Sanderson. Hosted by Ruthie Collins.

Finding Natural Wonder: Episode One

Writer Ruthie Collins discusses how literature can help us engage with nature, asking authors and community leaders for nature-inspired book recommendations that you can take outside.

There are accompanying writing prompts and walks around the mouth of the Waveney River to accompany the podcast, inspired by Ruthie Collins’ public poem commissioned by Norfolk County Council, ‘Dreaming of Albion, Sailing With Maud’, due for install at Great Yarmouth. 

Guests include Emily Winter (River Waveney Trust), Daisy Henwood (Co-Director, TOAST Poetry), Nisreen Meddings (mother of two and translator), Nick Hayes (author, The Book of Trespass), Joe Hedinger (founder, Page Against The Machine).