I love the book ‘We are Stardust‘ by Elin Kelsey with artwork by Soyeon Kim. The words are poetic and the illustrations are beautiful and whimsical. However, it is the central message that I am most drawn to, the wonder of life, of nature and our place within it. I particularly find awe-inspiring the idea, that every tiny atom in my body came from a star that exploded long before I was born!

When I read it to my children, I want them to take in the words and get inspired by the artwork, but more than anything I want to impart to them a sense of wonder. I  recently realised that finding wonder in the world is very important to me and how I see myself. In the times when I have lost my ability to wonder I have experienced my deepest lows.

To have a sense of wonder means that you are able to see beauty and magic; it can motivate you to explore, delve into and study; it can ignite an interest; make you care, give a damn and want to protect, and it can make you question. All good I would say.

To wonder and find wonder in things is an emotion most associated with childhood. I believe it is one of greatest gifts a parent or teacher or any adult can give to a child. I wish more children were allowed to experience it and I also wish more were able to carry it through to adulthood.

Go on, feel a sense of wonder. It might be good for you. This photograph taken by NASA might help. x