A bit more about Laura Brand and her work
Laura Brand is an author and illustrator known for her work that combines creativity and nature. She is the creator of "The Joy Journal for Magical Everyday Play," where she shares crafty experiments and creative ideas for everyday play. Laura is also the author of "Slow Down and Be Here Now: More Nature Stories to Make You Stop, Look and Be Amazed by the Tiniest Things," which encourages mindfulness and discovering nature in everyday life.
She lives in the countryside with her family, which includes her husband, two daughters, and various pets. Her home is described as a place where chaos and calm coexist, filled with creative activities like play dough and hand-painted banners. Laura has led workshops for both children and adults at events such as Fearne Cotton's Happy Place Festival.
Laura Brand incorporates mindfulness into her nature stories by encouraging readers to slow down and appreciate the small, often overlooked details in the natural world. In her book "Slow Down and Be Here Now," she presents nature stories that highlight everyday natural events, such as how dandelion clocks spread their seeds or how a hummingbird collects nectar. These stories are designed to enchant and ground children, helping them to notice and appreciate the tiny moments of magic in their surroundings.