{"id":50264,"date":"2025-03-07T15:46:47","date_gmt":"2025-03-07T15:46:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thefamilygrapevine.co.uk\/west-kent\/?post_type=competition&p=50264"},"modified":"2025-07-01T10:49:17","modified_gmt":"2025-07-01T10:49:17","slug":"win-a-copy-of-the-last-song-of-the-mistle-thrush","status":"publish","type":"competition","link":"https:\/\/thefamilygrapevine.co.uk\/west-kent\/competition\/win-a-copy-of-the-last-song-of-the-mistle-thrush\/","title":{"rendered":"Win a copy of The Last Song of the Mistle Thrush"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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High in the treetops, a mistle thrush sings of the wonders it sees. But when the trees are lost, its song must change\u2014to one of hope, resilience, and the urgent call to protect our world.<\/p>

A lyrical and beautifully illustrated children’s poem, The Last Song of the Mistle Thrush is a heartfelt tale about hope, love and fresh starts, and the responsibility we all share for nature’s future.<\/p>

Shortlisted for the Hammond House International Literary Prize (2018).<\/p>

\ud83c\udf3f<\/strong> Key Themes<\/strong><\/p>

  • The Fragility of Nature<\/strong> – How the mistle thrush’s song represents the delicate balance of ecosystems and the impact of human activity on biodiversity.<\/li>
  • The Power of a Single Voice<\/strong> – How one bird’s song can inspire change, reflecting the idea that small actions can make a big difference in conservation.<\/li>
  • Loss and Renewal<\/strong> – The destruction of trees mirrors real-world deforestation, but the mistle thrush’s resilience symbolises hope and the potential for restoration.<\/li>
  • The Role of Birds in Ecosystems<\/strong> – Highlighting the mistle thrush’s role in seed dispersal and its importance in forest regeneration.<\/li>
  • Poetry as an Advocate for Nature<\/strong> – How lyrical storytelling can evoke deep emotions and inspire people to take action for the environment.<\/li>
  • Interconnectedness of Species<\/strong> – How losing one species affects entire ecosystems, emphasising the importance of protecting biodiversity.<\/li>
  • Children as Future Guardians of Nature<\/strong> – Encouraging young readers to develop a love for wildlife and take responsibility for preserving natural habitats.<\/li><\/ul>

    \u00a0<\/p>

    Ruth Mary Flanagan is an award-winning poet and author with a passion for lyrical storytelling.\u00a0 She adapted her award winning poem The Last Song of the Mistle Thrush into this beautifully-illustrated children’s book, published by Brown Dog Books in May 2025. Inspired by the classic poetry she loved as a child, Ruth’s writing blends evocative imagery with seamless rhyme, creating work that resonates across generations.\u00a0 There are lots of themes within the book that you can enjoy reading with or to the children in your life but one of the most valuable things this book does is encouraging young readers to develop a love for wildlife and take responsibility for preserving natural habitats and\u00a0Children will be the Future Guardians of Nature<\/strong>.<\/strong><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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    Competition entry form<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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    \n\t\t\t\t\tWin a copy of The Last Song of the Mistle Thrush\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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    Your contact details<\/span><\/h2>\nPlease enter details so that we can contact you if you are a winner<\/span>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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