Nature in mind: Beneath - Peters
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Nature in mind: hidden emotions and grief with author and illustrator Cori Doerrfeld

February 15th 2024

This week, our mini blog series Nature in mind takes a look at understanding our feelings through the natural world. Author and illustrator Cori Doerrfeld joins us to talk about navigating grief, and how connecting with and learning about nature has helped her mental wellbeing. Use our Q&A with Cori and our Let's Talk prompts below to inspire discussion in your own classroom or library about mental health and nature!

Our picture book spotlight shines on Cori Doerrfeld's recent release Beneath. It follows moody Finn and his patient granddad, who encourages Finn to talk about the things hidden beneath the surface, including emotions, during a walk in nature. This is a lovely title to use one-to-one with a pupil.

Finn starts the story in a bad mood, which we learn is because he is grieving the loss of his grandma. What inspired you to tell Finn's story?

The inspiration behind Beneath is tied to when my own grandfather passed away about 10 years ago. I’ll never forget how outwardly everyone processed his death differently. Some people kept very busy and task oriented. Other people stayed in the background, and wanted to be alone.

It really struck me, however, that beneath all these differences, we were all dealing with the same feelings of loss. Then, years later, I remember seeing a quote that read, “Be kind, for you never know what someone else is going through.” It’s a concept we should all be aware of, yet so many seem to struggle with. I wondered if I could write a story that somehow helped people keep that idea closer to the surface.

I know for me, I've always loved the natural world, biology, and learning how animals and plants live. Using nature as a way to connect to inner and outer worlds felt like something kids would understand and enjoy as well.

Can you tell us about a time nature helped your mental wellbeing, like it helped Finn's?

Nature has always been something I’ve turned to when I need to feel happier or more balanced. I used to sit in the woods behind my house growing up whenever I felt overwhelmed. I took my daughter on long walks outside after she was born and I felt alone struggling with postpartum depression.

During the pandemic travelling to Northern Minnesota, where Beneath is set, felt like being reunited with parts of both the world and myself that were still ok. I took many walks around the lake by our home during the darkest parts of the pandemic and seeing the sun set or even getting caught in a downpour of rain truly helped ground me in the present moment and find bits of light.


Illustration by Cori Doerrfeld. When has nature helped you during a bad mood?
Do you have fun and surprising fact about nature which has changed your attitude towards life, big or small?

Absolutely! Learning that mushrooms and trees “talk” to each other and share nutritional needs based on those “conversations” is one of the coolest things I have learned about nature. It helped reframe my perspective on what communication and relationships can mean. It is so much broader than what we humans define it as.

I just love the idea of “hidden worlds”. There is so much going on all the time in nature that humans have nothing to do with, yet it can teach us so much.

Is there anyone in your life that has helped you connect with nature, like Finn's Grandpa?

When I was little, my grandma lived on a plot of land with a lake and a little wooded area. She loved to take me swimming in summer, and ice skating in winter. She always made nature feel magical and special. I believe it was these early experiences in nature that helped set it up as a space I still feel drawn to and comforted by.

On the left, an illustration of Grandpa and Finn from Beneath. On the right, a picture of Cori and her grandma, during a summer swim. 
Why do you think young readers should look "beneath" when connecting with their peers? How might it help our own mental wellbeing?

I think it would be so helpful if both young and adult readers could learn to take a moment when they first want to judge or react to someone else. Use that moment to remember you can’t see the entire story. Everyone has troubles, fears, good and bad experiences. Doing this can foster both grace and tolerance for others.

It can also foster a personal connection that you are never alone. Finding the right someone to share your inner world with can help you process and understand emotions. Just like the mushrooms and the trees, letting others know what you need and recognizing what someone else might be missing, helps us all feel more happy, safe, and loved.

Illustration by Cori Doerrfeld. Take a moment today to think about what lies "beneath".

 

 


Ask your pupils if they have a loved one, or someone they admire, who helps them connect with nature.

As a class, make a list of actions you can take when you are in a bad mood. For example, going for a walk,
breathing exercises, cuddling your favourite toy.

Research a fun or surprising fact about nature and share it with a partner.

 

 

 

Carry on the conversation about understanding emotions and grief with these recommendations:

   
see all children's mental health recommendations		    

 

📚 READ NEXT: NATURE IN MIND - ANIMALS AND MINDFULNESS IN A HORSE CALLED NOW

 

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