Mike Fairclough - Wild Thing: Embracing Childhood Traits in Adulthood for a Happier, More Carefree Life

Praise for

WILD THING

A beautiful, joyous book that will only take a day to readand yet, Mike Fairclough says such wise and wonderful things it could change your life forever.

DAME JACQUELINE WILSON,
BESTSELLING CHILDRENS AUTHOR

This marvelous little book pretends with its brevity to be lightweight but punches so far above it that it makes you see stars. A fizzing, personal journey of selfdiscovery that opens a box of tricks on how to be present, happy and capable of wonder. Its main message is the wisdom of the ages: Rules are for the guidance of the wise and the enslavement of the stupid, a paean to playfulness, a celebration of the guiding light of our imagination, and how to set it on fire once morea little classic.

SIR TIM SMIT, BESTSELLING AUTHOR AND
COFOUNDER OF THE EDEN PROJECT

Simply the best book on creativity and the proper use of imagination I have ever read. Warm, tempting, and insightful, it has powerfully touched my soul.

MIKE DOOLEY, NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING
AUTHOR OF INFINITE POSSIBILITIES

I was captivated from the first paragraph. I was the child whose imagination was set loose by something she has seen out of the classroom window. Wild Thing is easy to read, full of personal stories and useful tips for the reader to follow, to recapture the magic, optimism, and joyful appreciation of childhood.

SARAH, DUCHESS OF YORK

This is a beautiful, lifeaffirming book; inspiring, provocative, joyous, and accessible. Mike Fairclough is a remarkable and a visionary human being who has made it his lifes mission to bring happiness to adults and children alike through reconnecting us all to the wonders and possibilities of the world around us.

RICHARD GERVER,
AWARDWINNING SPEAKER AND BESTSELLING AUTHOR

Mike Faircloughs fresh and intensely personal book is liberating from start to finish. He uses his life, gathering wisdom and experience in running a highly successful school, to provide teachers and learners with permission to be their most human selves. On a journey rich with key autobiographical stories, Mike leads us to rediscover the joy and playfulness that release creativity, imagination, and the capacity to be the best people we can be.

DR. JONATHAN BARNES, BESTSELLING AUTHOR

Mike Fairclough is doing something magical at West Rise Junior Schoolmagic that has drawn the eyes of educators from around the world. Wild Thing explains the magic in a way you can bring it into your life, no matter your age. Relax, read, and rejuvenate with Wild Thingitll spark forgotten creativity that still lies within.

PROFESSOR BARBARA OAKLEY,
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR

A mustread for anyone working in the creative industries. Mike Faircloughs brilliant Wild Thing will take you on a deliciously playful adventure, helping you reconnect with the carefree child you once were so you can claim the blissful life you deserve.

EMILIA DI GIROLAMO, SHOWRUNNER AND SCREENWRITER

I enjoyed reading this book. Challenging myself with if we can see the potential, the mystery and the magic in every moment... Not instantly easy for a politician and a businessman! Still, by the end, perhaps I shall have proved Monty Pythons song right (Its fun to charter an accountant, and sail the wide accountancy). I feel the tide lifting my old hull already!

LORD LUCAS, 12TH BARON LUCAS AND 8TH LORD DINGWALL; HEREDITARY PEER IN THE HOUSE OF LORDS

I love this book. Its a powerful argument for the power of play and curiosity. Wild Thing reminds us of how important it is to enjoy life. Get this book and take your adult mind on a series of playful challenges.

PROFESSOR BILL LUCAS,
BESTSELLING AUTHOR AND INTERNATIONAL SPEAKER

Wild Thing is essential reading for any adult who would like a more carefree, playful, and imaginative existence. It will unleash your spirit of adventure and reignite your enthusiasm for life!

ELLIOT CRAWFORD, YOUTUBER, MUSICIAN, AND DJ

I like what I see when I read about, and watch, Mike Fairclough in action. Fostering curiosity and optimism in the school children he leads. I like the book Wild Thingeven the title stirs the heart! Mikes top tip, Try to be more optimistic and expect the best even when you are experiencing challenges is one I heartily endorse!

VICTOR PERTON, AUTHOR, INTERNATIONAL
SPEAKER, AND POLITICIAN

A wise and generous communicator, Mike is an inspirational educationalist. Wild Thing is stuffed full of wisdom, and his recommendation to connect with the natural world is spot on.

ANTONIA PALMER, FOUNDER OF SAFE GROUND

Published in the United Kingdom by:

Hay House UK Ltd, The Sixth Floor, Watson House, 54 Baker Street, London W1U 7BU

Tel: +44 (0)20 3927 7290; Fax: +44 (0)20 3927 7291; www.hayhouse.co.uk

Published in the United States of America by:

Hay House Inc., PO Box 5100, Carlsbad, CA 920185100

Tel: (1) 760 431 7695 or (800) 654 5126

Fax: (1) 760 431 6948 or (800) 650 5115; www.hayhouse.com

Published in Australia by:

Hay House Australia Pty Ltd, 18/36 Ralph St, Alexandria NSW 2015

Tel: (61) 2 9669 4299; Fax: (61) 2 9669 4144; www.hayhouse.com.au

Published in India by:

Hay House Publishers India, Muskaan Complex, Plot No.3, B2, Vasant Kunj, New Delhi 110 070

Tel: (91) 11 4176 1620; Fax: (91) 11 4176 1630; www.hayhouse.co.in

Text Mike Fairclough, 2020

The moral rights of the author have been asserted.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced by any mechanical, photographic or electronic process, or in the form of a phonographic recording; nor may it be stored in a retrieval system, transmitted or otherwise be copied for public or private use, other than for fair use as brief quotations embodied in articles and reviews, without prior written permission of the publisher.

The information given in this book should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice; always consult a medical practitioner. Any use of information in this book is at the readers discretion and risk. Neither the author nor the publisher can be held responsible for any loss, claim or damage arising out of the use, or misuse, of the suggestions made, the failure to take medical advice or for any material on thirdparty websites.

A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.

Tradepaper ISBN: 9781788176286

Ebook ISBN: 9781788176293

Audiobook ISBN: 9781788176309

Interior images: Shutterstock

To my rock n roll wife, Sundeep Sitara, and our
magical children, Tali, Iggy, Luna, and Star.

May we always be wild things.

We all remember times in childhood when we were sitting in a classroom. The teacher was introducing the lesson and we were completely engaged and attentive. Then something caught our eye out of the window, or a thought came into our mind. Suddenly, we were in another world.

This introduction is brief as I dont want to lose your attention. And yet, somewhere within those childhood wonderings of the mind is a gift for us in adulthood.

I have had children of my own and taught other peoples children for over 20 years and strongly believe that they have powerful and transformative insights that can teach us all something indispensable about life. Just look at how happy most of them are. Of course, they dont pay the bills or have the weight of the world on their shoulders. But is that the real reason for their happiness?