Elena Mannion author page

Elena Mannion biography

Elena Mannion is a British author and publisher of children’s books, residing in a historic village in Hertfordshire. Raised in rural Hertfordshire, she spent much of her childhood outdoors, playing in the fields, making dens, and fishing in the village pond. After many years in London, she returned to Hertfordshire. Years of reading stories to her children and a desire to celebrate the wonder of childhood led to her debut picture book, The Happy Hedgerow. Her dream is for all children to spend lots of time exploring nature, enjoying the sense of freedom and connection to all things wild that it gives. She is the founder of Pikku Publishing, a small independent press specialising in nature-themed children’s literature.

In 2021, Mannion published her first children’s book, The Happy Hedgerow, illustrated by Erin Brown. The story highlights the importance of hedgerows to local wildlife and the environment. It was named Book of the Season by CPRE Hertfordshire and endorsed by former UK Poet Laureate Sir Andrew Motion, who described it as “a welcome reminder that hedgerows are our greatest nature reserves.” The book is suitable for children aged four and up and aims to encourage young readers to connect with nature and understand the value of preserving it.

Following the success of her debut, Mannion continued her collaboration with illustrator Erin Brown. In 2022, they released Old Oak and Little Acorn, a tale of regeneration and growth, focusing on the life cycle of an oak tree and its role in the ecosystem. This was followed by Old Oak and the Wild Flowers in 2023, which explores the relationship between wildflowers and their environment, further promoting themes of environmental awareness and conservation in children’s literature.