Loading...
Willow the Wheatsheaf was created to help children understand the simple journey from seed to table.
During a visit to a primary school, it became clear that many pupils knew very little about where their food came from or how bread begins its life in the field.
That moment highlighted a gap in their awareness and showed me how far removed children can be from the origins of everyday food.
I developed Willow as an identifiable character who could guide children through this journey in a friendly and engaging way. By giving wheat a face and a voice, the story invites children to follow each stage of the process with interest rather than seeing it as something distant or unfamiliar. Willow’s adventures aim to spark curiosity, encourage questions and build a stronger connection between young readers and the natural world.
The story is designed to help children recognise that food has a history long before it reaches their plate, and that understanding this can foster appreciation, learning and a sense of care for how things are grown and made.
Vanessa Lang,
Artisan Baker,
Pluckley,
Kent.