Book titled 'The Handbook of Forgotten Skills' on a light green background

Open book with illustrations of a forest path and bicycle repair instructions.

Open book showing instructions for coin tricks with illustrations of hands and people.

Open book with illustrations of children in a forest and knot diagrams.

Open book showing a visual guide to knots with colorful illustrations on a white background.

The Handbook of Forgotten Skills: Timeless Fun for a New Generation

£17.99

Beautifully Illustrated
Joyfully Screen-Free
Made To Treasure

In stock

Turn back the clock to discover the simple pleasures of hands-on living

Step into a world where cold lemonade defines summer afternoons, evenings gather around crackling campfires, and cosy winter nights are wrapped in warm handmade blankets. This beautifully illustrated handbook invites children to discover more than thirty timeless skills that connect them to simpler, more mindful ways of living and playing.

From practical life skills like sewing on buttons and mending socks to delightful pastimes such as skipping stones and making paper aeroplanes, each fully-illustrated chapter combines clear, step-by-step instructions with fascinating historical context. Children will discover that lemonade once helped fight the plague in Paris, and that paper aeroplanes became popular during World War II when traditional toys weren't available.

Created by outdoor educator Natalie Crowley and craft enthusiast Elaine Batiste, with charming illustrations by Chris Duriez, this collection celebrates the satisfaction that comes from making, fixing, and creating with your own hands. Whether learning to use a compass, grow tomatoes, or wrap packages with brown paper and string, children develop both practical abilities and the confidence that comes from mastering real-world skills in our increasingly digital age.

Suitable for children aged 7 years and up

Further Information

What's Included: 112-page hardback book with full-colour step-by-step illustrations and historical context for more than 30 traditional skills.

Key Skills Featured:

Outdoor skills: Skip stones, use a compass, build campfires, read maps
Domestic skills: Sew on buttons, mend socks, wrap packages with string
Creative skills: Make paper aeroplanes, create natural dyes, basic quilting
Growing skills: Cultivate tomatoes, understand plant care
Traditional games and activities for unplugged fun
Historical facts and stories behind each skill

Publisher: Magic Cat Publishing

Publication Date: March 2023

Critical Acclaim: Named one of The Telegraph's best children's books of 2023; "This lavishly illustrated and inspiring book will help readers step away from the frenzy of modern life" - The Bookseller; 4-star review from The Telegraph.

About the Authors: Natalie Crowley is a California-based teacher and outdoor educator who creates nature-based curriculum for students. Her blog Nature Natalie helps educators connect children with the outdoors. Elaine Batiste runs the blog 'LaineeMakes' covering travel, food, art, photography and clothing, much of which she makes herself. Together they bring expertise in both education and traditional crafts.

About the Illustrator: Chris Duriez is a Scottish children's illustrator and printmaker based in Cambridge. Having worked as both an animator and primary school teacher, he brings authentic understanding of how children learn. His warm, detailed illustrations make even complex skills feel approachable and achievable.

Product Specifications

ISBN: 9781913520847

Authors: Natalie Crowley and Elaine Batiste

Illustrator: Chris Duriez

Publisher: Magic Cat Publishing

Format: Hardback

Pages: 112

Dimensions: 27 x 21cm

Publication Date: March 2023

Age Range: 7 years and up

Shipping & Refunds

We currently deliver throughout the United Kingdom.

Standard Delivery: £3.95 Your order will arrive within 2-4 working days via Royal Mail Tracked 48.

Priority Delivery: £5.95 Need something sooner? Priority delivery gets your gifts to you within 1-2 working days via Royal Mail Tracked 24.

Free Standard Delivery Orders of £65 and above qualify for complimentary standard delivery. It's our way of saying thank you for choosing quality gifts that matter.

Larger packages are sent via DPD to ensure fast, safe delivery of bigger gifts.

Our Promise to You

We want every gift to bring joy. If something isn't quite right, we're here to help make it better. You have 30 days after receiving your order to return any item – plenty of time to see how it fits into your family's world.

How Returns Work

Getting started is simple: Contact us at hello@haliburtons.com or use the chat feature on our website, and we'll guide you through everything. No forms, no fuss – just a friendly conversation about how we can help.

What we need: Your item should be in the same lovely condition it arrived in – unused, with any tags, and in its original packaging. We'll also need your order number or receipt.

Send it back: Once we've arranged your return, we'll email you a free prepaid return label and clear instructions.

Questions?

Our UK-based team is here to help at hello@haliburtons.com. or through the chat feature on our website.

Beautifully Illustrated

Hands-On Making, Developmental Benefits, and Joyfully Screen-Free

Made To Treasure

Why we chose it

In our rush towards digital everything, we've forgotten how satisfying it can be to tie a proper knot, grow something from seed, or fix something that's broken. These aren't just skills - they're invitations to slow down, use our hands, and connect with the physical world around us. It's the perfect antidote to screen time, and the historical nuggets make every skill feel like a fascinating story.

Magic Cat Publishing

Founded by Rachel Williams and Jenny Broom, Magic Cat creates beautiful children's books that gently weave important ideas into engaging stories. Winner of Independent Publisher of the Year 2025, they focus on kindness, togetherness, friendship, inclusivity, and care for our planet through storytelling.

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