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I love creating journals that celebrate the beauty of nature, so I often find myself reaching for books that inspire a connection to the world around us.
If you love my style, read on to discover some of my favourite books I use for junk journaling. As you might imagine, many of them feature stunning illustrations of the flora and fauna found here in the UK.
For each book, I’ve included a flip-through video so you can see the pages for yourself, along with why I love it and how I’ve used it in my projects.
So, grab a cuppa, settle in and discover some of the most inspiring books you can add to your stash. I apologise now if you end up grabbing for your wallet immediately after seeing these books!
1. The Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady by Edith Holden
- Publisher: Webb & Bower
- Synopsis: This book is a reproduction of the naturalist Edith Holden’s diary from 1906, filled with her observations of nature, poetic writings and beautiful watercolour illustrations of plants, birds and insects. It offers a nostalgic glimpse into the Edwardian countryside.
- Read more about it on Amazon >>
- Why I Love It: Edith Holden’s books are like gold dust to junk journalers. Even though they’re not exactly cheap to buy these days, they’re well worth the money. Inside, you’ll find stunning illustration after illustration of the flora and fauna she saw each month alongside handwritten diary entries with perfect penmanship. Thus, you can use her books year-round for different themed journals. I also love that the book is larger than a standard reading book, so the pages make fabulous journal pages and can be used to make large folio journals (my favourite kind!)
2. The Nature Notes of an Edwardian Lady by Edith Holden
- Publisher: Michael Joseph
- Synopsis: A companion to The Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady, this book includes more of Edith Holden’s nature notes and illustrations, documenting her observations of the British countryside in 1905.
- Read more about it on Amazon >>
- Why I Love It: As you might expect, I love this book for all the same reasons as the original Country Diary book. The difference here is that the illustrations are softer and more pastel, which makes for an interesting look. Sadly, this book doesn’t have her meticulous handwriting inside; the text is typed instead.
- Project Inspiration: Check out this video to see how I made an interactive flip-out piece for my journals using images from this book.
3. Portrait of a Country Garden by Rosanne Sanders
- Publisher: Frances Lincoln Publishers Ltd
- Synopsis: This beautifully illustrated book presents a detailed, month-by-month account of life in a country garden, capturing the changing seasons, plants and wildlife. Rosanne Sanders combines her artistic skills with her gardening knowledge, making this a perfect book for garden lovers and artists alike.
- Read more about it on Amazon >>
- Why I Love It: If you like Edith Holden’s book, you’ll love this one – and you’ll probably be able to buy it at a fraction of the price. Inside, you’ll find stunning illustrations of flowers, trees and plants the author saw in her garden through the months, alongside handwritten notes in a calligraphy style.
4. A Countrywoman’s Journal by Margaret Shaw
- Publisher: Pomegranate Communications
- Synopsis: This journal, kept by Margaret Shaw during 1926 and 1928, offers a charming and insightful look into rural life in Britain. Illustrated with Shaw’s drawings, it depicts the seasonal changes and the joys of countryside living.
- Read more about it on Amazon >>
- Why I Love It: You can probably sense a theme so far. This book is another must for nature lovers where you’ll find lovely illustrations inside of flora and fauna. The main difference is that the pages are mostly handwritten text with small images dotted throughout. Plus, the flip-up cover will likely make an interesting folio one day. Watch this space!
5. Poems of the Seasons by Gordon Beningfield
- Publisher: Allen Lane
- Synopsis: A collection of poems celebrating the four seasons, complemented by the evocative and detailed paintings of Gordon Beningfield. This book captures the beauty and diversity of the changing British landscape throughout the year.
- Read more about it on Amazon >>
- What I Like About It: Gordon Beningfield is another artist I admire who also appreciates the joys of nature. In this book, you’ll find copies of various landscape paintings through the seasons alongside typed poems.
6. Poems of the Countryside by Gordon Beningfield
- Publisher: Allen Lane
- Synopsis: Similarly to the above, this anthology brings together poems – this time that celebrate the British countryside, accompanied by yet more of Gordon Beningfield’s exquisite artwork. The book is a tribute to the natural beauty and pastoral charm of rural Britain.
- Read more about it on Amazon >>
- What I Like About This One: This book is much like the one mentioned earlier. While a couple of his paintings can be found in both books, this one features lots of other paintings; this time featured solely around the countryside. Just like before, you’ll find typed poems to accompany each painting.
- Project Inspiration: While I’ve used Beningfield’s images throughout many of my journals, I used the cover of this one to make my Tim Holtz ring-bound journal.
7. Beningfield’s Woodlands by Gordon Beningfield
Sorry! I don’t have a flip through of this book, but you can see some of the images in my ‘Fall Field Notes’ journal.
- Publisher: Allen Lane
- Synopsis: Gordon Beningfield explores the beauty and tranquillity of British woodlands through his detailed and evocative artwork. The book is a celebration of the trees, plants and wildlife that inhabit British woodlands.
- Read more about it on Amazon >>
- Why I Love It: If you’re like me and especially love making woodland-themed journals, this is the perfect book for you. Inside, you’ll find large versions of Beningfield’s paintings of woodlands and animals he saw in the woods through various seasons – from bluebells in the spring to pheasants and apples in the autumn months. Because the book is so large, many of the images in this one can be used to make stunning journal covers.
8. The Frampton Flora by Richard Mabey
- Publisher: Century
- Synopsis: This book features a remarkable collection of flower paintings by eight 19th-century women, accompanied by Richard Mabey’s text. The Frampton Flora is a celebration of the diversity and beauty of British wildflowers, preserved in exquisite detail.
- Read more about it on Amazon >>
- What I Like About It: This is the book I reach for when I’m making vintage botanical journals. Inside, you’ll find illustrations of flowers, which are copies of the original Victorian paintings found in the attic at Frampton Court in Gloucestershire. The images are beautifully vintage and make perfect journal cards!
9. Island Diary of a Year on Easdale by Garth & Vicky Waite
- Publisher: Collins
- Synopsis: Garth and Vicky Waite share their experiences of living on a remote island in the Inner Hebrides, documenting the seasonal changes, wildlife and daily life throughout the year. Their diary is illustrated with stunning illustrations, capturing the rugged beauty of the Scottish islands.
- Read more about it on Amazon >>
- Why I Love It: Here’s another diary book well worth finding. This time, you’ll find illustrations of pretty flowers and plants as well as sea creatures, shells and other things found on the beach. Just like some of the other books I’ve mentioned, this one also features pretty handwriting.
10. The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
- Publisher: William Heinemann
- Synopsis: This classic children’s novel tells the story of Mary Lennox, a spoiled orphan who’s sent to live with her reclusive uncle in Yorkshire. As Mary discovers and revitalises a hidden, neglected garden, she undergoes her own transformation, finding friendship and a sense of belonging.
- Why I Love This One: While The Secret Garden is a beautiful and classic story, the version I have was illustrated by Inga Moore, making it one of the most beautiful versions. Everything Mary saw in the garden – from bees and butterflies to foxes, rabbits, badgers and more are all beautifully captured in Moore’s illustrations. Also, the cover of the book has interesting fold-out pieces, which inspired my very first lapbook journal!
11. The National Trust Nature Companion
- Publisher: Pavilion Books
- Synopsis: A guide to the natural world of Britain, this book provides insights into the country’s diverse habitats, wildlife and plant species. Compiled by experts from the National Trust, it serves as an invaluable resource for nature enthusiasts and those who love exploring the British countryside.
- Read more about it on Amazon >>
- What I Like About It: While this book is more educational than some of the others I’ve already mentioned, the entries in this book are accompanied by pretty watercolour illustrations by Sandra Fernandez – all featuring the various flora and fauna seen across Britain.
- Project Inspiration: Check out this video to see how I used some of the pages to make pretty book page pockets.
12. The New Concise British Flora by W. Keble Martin
- Publisher: Ebury Press
- Synopsis: This comprehensive field guide to British wildflowers features over 1,480 species, illustrated with meticulous detail by W. Keble Martin. The book is an essential reference for botanists, gardeners and anyone interested in the flora of the British Isles.
- Read more about it on Amazon >>
- What I Like About This One: I can’t think of any book better than this if you’re looking for stunning botanical pages to use as backgrounds. They’re so beautiful, you only need to add a label or two to decorate whatever you made with them. And because the pages are so large, you can easily cut and fold them in various ways to make all kinds of interesting ephemera. This book will last you a long time!
13. Flower Fairy Books by Cicely Mary Barker
- Publisher: Frederick Warne & Co.
- Synopsis: A beloved series of books featuring enchanting illustrations of flower fairies, each associated with a particular plant or tree. Cicely Mary Barker’s delicate and whimsical artwork has captivated generations of readers, making these books a timeless treasure for children and adults alike.
- Discover more on Amazon >>
- Why I Love These Books: Other than nature-themed journals, I also frequently make fairy-themed journals. For me, the Flower Fairy books by Cicely Mary Barker combine the two themes perfectly. Her illustrations are beautiful and the poems that accompany each fairy are a joy to read while also being botanically accurate. I’ve actually learned a surprising amount from her books while making my journals!
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