Natural History Books

Book SynopsisIn ''The Voyage of the Beagle'' Charles Darwin chronicles the landmark expedition which would forever alter the course of scientific thought. First published in 1839, The Voyage of HMS Beagle remains a foundational text in the fields of biology, geology, and anthropology, inspiring subsequent generations of scientists and scholars.And his descriptions of the diverse flora, fauna, and geological formations he encountered laid the groundwork for his revolutionary theory of evolution by natural selection.This facsimile edition has been reproduced from a copy of the generously illustrated 1891 edition held by the Library of the Natural History Museum, which includes Darwin? s preface to 1845 second edition.Darwin? s account is structured as a detailed travelogue, cataloguing his observations, discoveries, and reflections during his travels, which encompass South America, the Galá pagos Islands, Australia, and beyond.

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Book Synopsis___ Live a life in step with the seasons. In this enchanting book, Rebecca Beattie – a Wiccan priestess who has practised witchcraft for over twenty years – takes us on a magical journey around the Wheel of the Year. Every six weeks, from the Spring Equinox to the Summer Solstice, from the Autumn Equinox to Imbolc, these restorative moments in nature’s cycle offer a moment to pause and reflect, to reconnect with the seasons and ourselves. The Wheel of the Year is alive with the ebb and flow of the natural world, full of nurturing rituals, rejuvenating wisdom and journal prompts to help you sow seeds of change and thrive. ‘Warm, friendly… Encourages us to pause, rather than rush headlong through life. It's a way to make time and space to really experience the world around us.’ Resurgence & Ecologist ‘An enchanting celebration of eight restorative moments in nature’s cycle’ Caught by the RiverTrade ReviewAs heard on Lauren Laverne’s BBC Radio 6 ‘Supernature’ 'A powerful concoction of poems, spells, incantations and rituals' Resurgence & Ecologist ‘A sensitive and poetic work, full of anecdote and poignant self-disclosure’ The Enquiring Eye ‘A great guidebook to assist one to live life in step with the seasons of nature’ Pagan Pages  ‘A lovely volume, beautifully written and full of inspiring ways to develop a nature-based spiritual path’ A Bad Witch’s Blog ‘An enchanting celebration of eight restorative moments in nature’s cycle’ Caught by the River ‘This book will be of interest to many who appreciate nature and the changing seasons’ The Countryman The Bookseller – Editor’s Choice ‘It’s a book to help you connect with your world, the seasons and nature and to yourself’ Netgalley reader

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Book SynopsisTrade ReviewThrilling dispatches from a vanishing world... A powerful - and entertaining - corrective to the idea that the only hopes that matter on this planet are those of our own species. -- Tim Adams * Observer *Vesper Flights is a book of ideas and urgent, beautiful writing... [Macdonald] is a writer whose every word is to be cherished. -- Tom Lathan * Spectator *Helen Macdonald is one of the best nature writers now working. -- Simon Ings * Telegraph *Books of the Year* *Nature writing at its best... All kinds of wondrous... Each and every essay reminded me what a gifted writer Macdonald is. Her prose is poetry but it also has a drenching kind of a clarity. And this is good because we shouldn't allow ourselves to be lulled by the sheer pleasure of reading her. For these are urgent pieces designed to open our eyes. -- Caroline Sanderson * Bookseller *Book of the Month* *An antidote to so much romantic, reductive writing about the natural world... Macdonald's writing teems with other voices and perspectives, with her own challenges to herself. It muddies any facile ideas about nature and the human, and prods at how we pleat our prejudices, politics and desires into our notions of the animal world... Hers is a gritty, companionable intimacy with the wild... The essays...are short, varied and highly edible. -- Parul Sehgal * New York Times *

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Book SynopsisFor cat lovers everywhere, these wonderful photographs highlight the felines who inhabit the streets of Istanbul, a city famous for its love of cats. This stunning photobook delves into the lives of the thousands of cats that roam the streets of Istanbul. The photographs show the unique personalities of these street cats, each with its own story and charm. From lounging on cobblestones and shop fronts, to perching on colourful market stalls, the cats appear in a variety of urban settings, offering a glimpse into the vibrant spirit and culture of Istanbul and its local inhabitants. The book explores how the feral cats of Istanbul are represented in various media, with social media, notably TikTok and Instagram, a particular medium through which Istanbul's cats have gained widespread popularity. The historical and contemporary cultural significance of cats in Turkish society is presented in essays by the photographer Marcel Heijnen, haiku by Ian Row, and even first-person accounts written from the perspectives of the cats themselves all interwoven with Marcel's beautiful photography.

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Book SynopsisAS FEATURED ON ''BBC RADIO 4 ''GOOD READS''.Woodlands Awards 2019: Woodland Books of the Year''The oak is the wooden tie between heaven and earth. It is the lynch pin of the British landscape.'' The oak is our most beloved and most common tree. It has roots that stretch back to all the old European cultures but Britain has more ancient oaks than all the other European countries put together. More than half the ancient oaks in the world are in Britain. Many of our ancestors - the Angles, the Saxons, the Norse - came to the British Isles in longships made of oak. For centuries the oak touched every part of a Briton''s life - from cradle to coffin It was oak that made the ''wooden walls'' of Nelson''s navy, and the navy that allowed Britain to rule the world. Even in the digital Apple age, the real oak has resonance - the word speaks of fortitude, antiquity, pastoralism.The Glorious Life of the Oak explores our long relationshTrade ReviewA beautiful object and a very British story written with real lyricism - some of the finest sentences I've read. -- Neil Oliver * BBC Radio 4: A Good Read *Lewis-Stempel is one of the best of the new generation of nature writers, an oak himself in that particular corner of the literary forest. As a working farmer, from a long line of Herefordshire farmers, he has daily exposure to his source material. In books such as Meadowland, The Running Hare and, most recently, The Wood, he has distilled his knowledge and his enthusiasm into a style that is as rich and earthy as its subject. * Spectator *Our greatest nature writer * Books Are My Bag *A lively little book * Daily Mail *

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Book SynopsisIn The Little Wild Library: Nettle, discover how to make the most of this useful plant, with recipes and makes to try throughout the year. Once you've found your favourite nettle patch, come back as the seasons change and find new things to do with your foraged treasure from edible treats to useful tinctures.

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Book SynopsisBringing a new puppy into yourlife is exciting, but it can also be overwhelming. Complete Puppy Schoolis here to guide you every step of the way with a clear, compassionate, andpractical approach to raising a well-adjusted, well-behaved dog from day one.This comprehensive guide beginswith helping you choose the right puppy for your lifestyle, setting the stagefor a successful bond. It then walks you through the critical early days,covering everything from preparing your home and making introductions, toestablishing routines that promote security and trust. As your puppy grows,you'll learn how to understand their behavior, teach essential manners, and useproven training techniques that foster cooperation and respect. Chapters onadvanced training take your puppy's skills to the next level, while detailedsections on managing common behavioral problems, visiting the vet, andunderstanding proper nutrition ensure that you're equipped to care for your pupin every way. Each chapter builds on the last, creating a natural learningprogression that supports both you and your dog.

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Book SynopsisFrom source to sea, go on a breath-taking adventure along a river and explore some of the greatest waterways of the world, with fold-out pages.Rivers flow across every continent on our planet, shaping the land and bringing life. Towns, cities and entire civilisations have grown up on their banks, from the Ancient Mesopotamians 5,000 years ago. Turn the pages to follow the incredible journey of a river from its source in high up in the mountains, along its gorges, through its valleys, down its waterfalls and into the sea. Explore the river's geography, discover the unique wildlife it supports, see how the waterways have shaped our world - and how we have shaped them.Featuring fold-out pages of six great rivers from around the world: Amazon (South America), Nile (Africa), Mississippi (North America), Rhine (Europe), Ganges (Asia) and Murray (Australia).Written by self-confessed explorer and children's author Simon Chapman, expertly checked by river ecologist François Edwards and beautifully illustrated by Qu Lan.Trade ReviewWith six spectacular fold-out sections depicting The Nile, Rhine, Amazon, Mississippi, Ganges and Murray rivers this highly illustrated large format hardback is packed with accessible information about the environment, topography, impact of humans, and unique features of each watercourse. Highly recommended for KS2. * School Reading List *Highly recommended for use in class, or to enjoy at home, whether bought (because who wouldn't want a copy?) or borrowed from a library. * ReadingZone *This beautiful book is perfect for future pub quiz champions, with fold-out pages of 6 rivers. * Saturday Times *

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Book SynopsisFew of us know what goes on after dark, underneath the moon. Sally Coulthard shines a light on the barn owl, one of the most mesmerising and elusive icons of the countryside. 'Fascinating insights... An endearing book for lovers of the barn owl' Daily Mail 'Enjoyable and lyrical... enhanced by Vanessa Lubach's arresting lino prints' Country Life 'Packs in everything the amateur nature enthusiast would want to know' Yorkshire Life 'This is a gorgeous little book' Permaculture Magazine With its heart-shaped face and silent, graceful flight, the barn owl regularly tops the nation's list of favourite birds. But how much do we really know about this sublime tenant of the night? Here, bestselling author Sally Coulthard shines a light on the barn owl. Full of fascinating insights, conservation advice and the latest research, this affectionate and timely guide also tells the story of a barn owl's early life – from first pip of the shell to leaving the nest – a fascinating time in this captivating creature's journey.Trade ReviewA beautifully written book about a beautiful bird. Fact-filled, yet totally engaging -- David Ramsden MBE, Barn Owl TrustAn enjoyable and lyrical read, enhanced by Vanessa Lubach's arresting lino prints, which really bring the book to life * Country Life *Looks set to be a bestseller... Beautifully illustrated and full of fascinating insights * Yorkshire Post *Sally Coulthard brings us another immensely readable biography of British Isles fauna... This little book packs in everything the amateur nature enthusiast would want to know about one of Britain's most thrilling nocturnal creatures * Yorkshire Life *With fascinating insights and tips on how to attract them... This is an endearing book for lovers of the barn owl * Daily Mail *Coulthard's style is never less than effortlessly readable, and it is a measure of the delicacy of her touch that she is successfully able to marry the poetry of Edward Thomas with the rigorous research of a scientific study * Yorkshire Times *

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Book SynopsisAided by this book the gardener can now answer the question "What's in a name?" and they and their garden will benefit from understanding the wealth of information that has hitherto lain hidden within the mysterious world of Latin names.' - Financial Times OnlineRHS Latin for Gardeners is an informative, entertaining and beautifully illustrated unravelling of the mysteries of botanical Latin. Over 3,000 Latin names are listed alphabetically, showing how plant names can reveal where a plant originally comes from (and thus its preferred growing conditions), along with such properties as its shape, form, colour, taste, and smell. Each name is clearly defined and accompanied by a pronunciation guide, and the pages are filled with attractive botanical illustrations. Fascinating feature spreads retell the adventures of important plant hunters such as Sir Joseph Banks and Alexander von Humboldt, and explain how their discoveries affect the way our gardens look today. Individual plants are also profiled throughout, showing how their names can illuminate their hidden histories. Aided by this book, every gardener, and their garden, will benefit from uncovering the wealth of information that lies within the remarkable world of Latin binomials. A little Latin can do a lot of good - apply the lore of Latin to your own garden!Contents includes...The A-Z Listings of Latin Plant NamesPlant ProfilesPlant HuntersPlant Themes...And Much More!Table of ContentsINTRODUCTION HOW TO USE THIS BOOK THE HISTORY OF BOTANICAL LATIN BOTANICAL LATIN FOR BEGINNERS LATIN PLANT NAMES A from abbreviatus to azureus B from babylonica to byzantinus C from cacaliifolia to cytisoides D from dactylifera to dyerianum E from ebenus to eyriesii F from facetus to futilis G from gaditanus to gymnocarpus H from haastii to hystrix I from ibericus to ixocarpus J from jacobaeus to juniperinus K from kalmiiflorus to kurdicus L from labiatus to lysimachioides M from macedonicus to myrtifolius N from nanellus to nymphoides O from obconicus to oxyphyllus P from pachycarpa to pyriformis Q from quadrangularis to quinquevulnerum R from racemiflorus to rutilans S from sabatius to szechuanica T from tabularis to typhina U from ulicina to uvaria V from vacciniifolia to vulgata W from wagneri to wulfenii X from xanthina to xantholeuca Y from yakushimanum to Yunnanense Z from zabeliana to zumi PLANT PROFILES Acanthus Achillea Alyssum Digitalis Eryngium Eucalyptus Foeniculum Geranium Helianthus Jasminum Lycopersicon Parthenocissus Passiflora Plumbago Pulmonaria Quercus Sempervivum Streptocarpus Tropaeolum Vaccinium PLANT HUNTERS Alexander von Humboldt Sir Joseph Banks Meriwether Lewis and William Clark Francis Masson and Carl Per Thunberg John Bartram David Douglas Carl Linnaeus Jane Colden and Lilian Suzette Gibbs Joseph Hooker Andre Michaux PLANT THEMES Where Plants Come From The Shape of Plants The Color of Plants The Qualities of Plants The Fragrance and Taste of Plants Numbers and Plants Animals and Plants CREDITS

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Book SynopsisA wonderful portable edition of Millie Marotta's Secrets of the Sea, from the Sunday Times and international bestseller artist. Millie Marotta is a hugely popular illustrator and her idiosyncratic drawings of the world's wonderful creatures have enthralled millions over the years. This pocket colouring book features over 80 wonderful illustrations in a smaller format to add colour to. Discover the wondrous wildlife from the Arctic waters to the balmy Australian coast. Swim with dolphins, narwhals and manatees. Grab your pens and pencils and bring to life jellyfish, seahorses and polar bears. This an essential book for colouring fans who love her pattern illustration style, which allows for the most creative of colouring. On this beautiful journey around the seas of the world, indulge your creativity, discover some fascinating creatures, and enjoy the perfect mindful activity while on the go or to pop in your travel bag.

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Book SynopsisTime spent with cats is never wasted. Comforting, cuddly, cute... What could be better than the presence of a fabulous feline fur-ball? As well as being totally adorable, cats are fiercely independent, curious and mischievous – and they make wonderful, low-maintenance companions. Research has shown that a purring cat on your knee – or quite possibly lying across your computer keyboard! – is the perfect antidote to stress. It's no wonder these superior beings have inspired many a bon mot or wise insight over the decades. Packed full of wonderful quotes as well as fascinating snippets of information, this little book is the purr-fect gift for any cat lover. 'In ancient times cats were worshipped as gods. They have never forgotten this.' Terry Pratchett. 'Unlike a human smile, purring cannot be, as far as anyone knows, faked.' Jeffrey Moussaieff Masson, The Nine Emotional Lives of Cats: A Journey Into the Feline Heart, 2002. 'Dogs come when they're called; cats take a message and get back to you later.' Mary Bly. 'Cats have it all – admiration, endless sleep, and company only when they want it.' Rod McKuen. Table of ContentsIn Praise of Cats • Curiosity • Paws for Thought • Companionship • Purrs of Wisdom.

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Book SynopsisTom is an Asian puppy, destined to be dinner. Instead, an Irish couple rescue him from a street vendor and take him into their care. Together they embark on a whirlwind tour through Vietnam, Nepal and Cambodia, thwarting street dogs and customs officials along the way. But can the three of them truly become a family?

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Book SynopsisThe Complete Language of Flowers is a comprehensive encyclopedia providing the meanings, powers, facts, and folklore for over 1,001 flower species. Along with a beautiful visual depiction, each entry provides the flower’s scientific and common names, characteristics, and historic meanings and powers from mythology, medieval legends, folklore, and flower poetry. For centuries, symbolic flower meanings have fascinated readers, writers, poets, and suddenly smitten couples alike. Extremely popular during the Victorian era, these floriographies flourished and versed the public on the hidden meaning of popular flowers such as: Purple Tulip—Eternal love Amaryllis—Adventurousness; Enthusiasm; Passion Daisy—Beauty and innocence; Cheer; Childlike playfulness Sunflower—Ambition; Constancy; Devotion Together with stunning full-color illustrations and two indexes, one for searching by common flower name and the other organized by meaning, this beautiful reference is a must-have for gardeners, florists, and flower enthusiasts. Whether you’re looking to arrange the perfectly bespoken wedding bouquet or to understand what the yellow rose you just received from an admirer means (friendship), this updated floriography is a visual delight. Elegantly designed and beautifully illustrated, the Complete Illustrated Encyclopedia series offers comprehensive, display-worthy references on a range of intriguing topics, including birthday astrology, dream interpretation, techniques for harnessing the power of dreams, and the stories behind signs and symbols.Trade Review“Flower lovers will marvel at S. Theresa Dietz’s The Complete Language of Flowers, an A to Z of flowers and plants listing symbolic meanings, possible powers, folklore and facts.” * BookPage *Table of ContentsIntroduction How to Use This Book A – Z Works Consulted Acknowledgments About the Author Photo Credits Index of Common Flower Names Index of Common Flower Meanings

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Book SynopsisJapan’s diverse habitats — ranging from alpine tundra and dense forests to subtropical islands — support a rich avifauna of more than 610 species including 13 endemics (found nowhere else) and five breeding endemics (which breed only in Japan). The area is a magnet for migratory birds, which account for 60% of the species found in Japan. This beautifully illustrated guide highlights over 140 familiar and unique species and includes a map featuring prominent bird-viewing areas. Laminated for durability, this lightweight, pocket-sized folding guide is an excellent source of portable information for anyone interested in Asia birds, and is ideal for field use by Japan’s residents and visitors. Made in the USA.

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Book SynopsisCan you tell a tomato from a grape? A patch of grass from a Christmas tree? Then congratulations – you’re a botanist.  Self-confessed bad birdwatcher Simon Barnes thought he knew nothing about plants. He didn't have anything against them: trees are interesting because birds perch in them; plants are useful because they create habitats, and all birds live in habitats. But while admiring the tenacity of some yellow horned poppies thriving on a shingle beach – a place where it seemed no plant had a hope of surviving – he was struck by a simple yet profound truth. It all begins with plants. In this charming and inspiring book, Barnes takes us on a fascinating journey, from the simple genius of photosynthesis to the complex and bizarre ways that plants reproduce. We consider plants as varied as cabbages and conifers, familiar wildflowers and enigmatic orchids, nefarious parasites and plants that carry deadly poisons – helping us

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Book SynopsisSHORTLISTED FOR THE ORWELL PRIZE 'I loved this book... An exhilarating romp through Orwell's life and times' Margaret Atwood 'Outside my work the thing I care most about is gardening' George Orwell In 1936 Orwell planted roses at his cottage in Hertfordshire. Over eighty years later Rebecca Solnit encounters them, and is inspired to explore a different side to the great writer and activist to the one we know so well. Following his journey from the coal mines of England to taking up arms in the Spanish Civil War, and his explosive critiques of Stalin and authoritarianism, here Solnit finds a more hopeful Orwell. And in her dialogue with the author and his fascination with nature, she makes unexpected connections with the colonial legacy of the flower garden, discovers photographer Tina Modotti's extraordinary roses, and reveals Stalin's strange obsession with growing lemons in impossibly cold conditions. A fresh reading of a towering figure of the twentieth century, Orwell's Roses finds solace and solutions for the political and environmental challenges we face today, and is a remarkable reflection on pleasure, beauty, and joy as acts of resistance. 'Luminous...It is efflorescent, a study that seeds and blooms, propagates thoughts, and tends to historical associations' New Statesman 'A genuinely extraordinary mind, whose curiosity, intelligence and willingness to learn seem unbounded' Irish TimesTrade ReviewI loved this book, and so will many... an exhilarating romp through Orwell's life and times and also through the life and times of roses -- Margaret AtwoodThis book is brilliant because it is true, and because it rescues Orwell from a kind of dourness and seriousness, and gives him back his humanity and yes, his Englishness. -- James Rebanks, author of English Pastoral and The Shepherd's LifeI so loved this book. It unfolds like the petals of a rose - the political rose, the personal rose - and enacts its subject in the ethics of its beauty and the grace of its resistance -- Jay Griffiths, author of Why RebelWe all know what Orwell hated but Solnit pays attention to what he loved. Orwell's Roses is an ingeniously fresh and unpredictable take on his life and times, and the values he held dear -- Dorian LynskeyThere is nothing more political than a garden, and Rebecca Solnit brings Orwell's life and writing vividly alive through his quiet determination to love the surface of the earth. Orwell's Roses shows how intimately aesthetics is intertwined with ethics, and in doing so, Solnit has given us a truly beautiful book -- Alex Christofi, author of Dostoevsky in LoveThis an enchanting book, as powerful in its arguments as it is enjoyable to read. From a surprising close-up of George Orwell planting three Woolworth roses, Solnit pans to a bracing new vista of the man and his fierce political aesthetic, taking in the injustices of the rose industry and lying Soviet science as she goes. Brilliant -- Lisa AppignanesiThis elegant rambling rose of a book muses on Orwell with all Rebecca Solnit's luminous intelligence and trademark optimism. If "Orwellian" has become synonymous with darkness and oppression, she opens up his life affirming love of gardening, of wild nature and life's physical pleasure, his antidote to the grim puritanism of ideologues -- Polly ToynbeeA tribute by one fine essayist of the political left to another of an earlier generation... the great pleasure of reading [Solnit] is spending time with her mind, its digressions and juxtapositions, its unexpected connections. Only a few contemporary writers have the ability to start almost anywhere and lead the reader on paths that, while apparently meandering, compel unfailingly and feel, by the end, cosmically connected . .. The book provides a captivating account of Orwell as gardener, lover, parent, and endlessly curious thinker -- Claire Messud * Harper's Magazine *The green-fingered and the politically committed alike will want to curl up with this book as the gardening year draws to a close and we reflect on a time during which nature has been more of a solace than usual. * Observer *Elegantly light-footed and freewheeling... a marvellously bracing ramble that passes through a variety of intellectual terrain and physical landscapes * Daily Telegraph *Expansive and thought-provoking... In the hands of a skilled novelist or essayist like Solnit, biography becomes something else entirely * Independent *Idiosyncratic, immensely original work * i paper *Luminous ... part biography, part memoir, a historical and cultural analysis and a work of literary criticism, Solnit's book is a love letter in prose to those roses, to Orwell and to the enduring relevance of his ethical sensibility. It is efflorescent, a study that seeds and blooms, propagates thoughts, and tends to historical associations * New Statesman *The book itself, like petals of a rose unfurling, conveys hope for a better future... a genuinely exceptional mind, whose curiosity, intelligence and willingness to learn seem unbounded * Irish Times *An absorbing read for those with interests in politics and gardening alike * Sunday Telegraph *An entertaining ramble through the author's life and Solnit's consciousness... this rhizomatic exercise yields great blooms * Big Issue *Solnit makes us rethink "Orwellian" to mean not just what he was against but what he was for - nature. Her brilliant essays give colour back to an author we often think of as grey * Daily Telegraph *This hybrid volume blossoms with... insights, non sequiturs and epiphanies -- Margaret Drabble * TLS *A pleasing meditation on the small pleasures and intricate beauties of nature, and a book to see you through to spring -- Books of the year * The Times and Sunday Times *Wonderful and moving... Fine and thoughtful * Spectator *

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Book Synopsis*The classic trilogy set in sun-soaked Corfu that inspired ITV''s acclaimed TV series The Durrells*Three classic tales of childhood on an island paradise - My Family and Other Animals, Birds, Beasts and Relatives and The Garden of the Gods by Gerald Durrell - are available in a single edition for the first time in The Corfu Trilogy.Just before the Second World War the Durrell family decamped to the glorious, sun-soaked island of Corfu where the youngest of the four children, ten-year-old Gerald, discovered his passion for animals: toads and tortoises, bats and butterflies, scorpions and octopuses. Through glorious silver-green olive groves and across brilliant-white beaches Gerry pursued his obsession . . . causing hilarity and mayhem in his ever-tolerant family.''A delightful book full of simple, well-known things: cicadas in the olive groves, lamp fishing at night, the complexities of fish and animals - but, above all, childhood moulded by these things'' New York Times

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Book Synopsis''Why can''t a human be more like a cat? That is the question threaded through this vivid patchwork of philosophy, fiction, history and memoir ... a wonderful mixture of flippancy and profundity, astringency and tenderness, wit and lament'' Jane O''Grady, Daily Telegraph''When I play with my cat, how do I know she is not passing time with me rather than I with her?'' MontaigneThere is no real evidence that humans ever ''domesticated'' cats. Rather, it seems that at some point cats saw the potential value to themselves of humans. John Gray''s wonderful new book is an attempt to get to grips with the philosophical and moral issues around the uniquely strange relationship between ourselves and these remarkable animals.Feline Philosophy draws on centuries of philosophy, from Montaigne to Schopenhauer, to explore the complex and intimate links that have defined how we react to and behave with this most unlikely ''pet''.At the heart of the book is a sense of gratitude towards cats as perhaps the species that more than any other - in the essential loneliness of our position in the world - gives us a sense of our own animal nature.Trade ReviewThe intellectual cat's pyjamas ... Gray's is the perfect book for the estranging oddness of the pandemic. -- Tim Adams * The Observer *Why can't a human be more like a cat? That is the question threaded through this vivid patchwork of philosophy, fiction, history and memoir ... Feline Philosophy is a wonderful mixture of flippancy and profundity, astringency and tenderness, wit and lament. -- Jane O'Grady * Daily Telegraph *Engaging, amusing, perceptive and untimely, in the most admirable Nietzschean sense. -- Mark Rowlands * New Statesman *An elegant philosophical study of the good life ... one of the most important thinkers alive ... It's a mark of the book's subtlety that you're not quite sure how seriously to take him. -- James Marriott * The Times *A scratching, spitting, and finally purring tour de force. -- Will Self

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Book SynopsisThis practical pocket field guide, published in association with the Wildlife Trusts, includes 150 butterfly and moth species from Britain and the near Continent. Each species account contains accurate artworks that show details to help readers differentiate between male and female butterflies, moths and caterpillars of varying species. A concise written account outlines further essential information, such as size, description, habitat, flight times, distribution, foodplants and habits.The easy-to-follow layouts and illustrations aid quick identification, and make this book an indispensable reference in the field as well as at home. It is compact enough to fit in the pocket, yet filled with essential information for nature enthusiasts.Table of ContentsIntroduction Butterflies - Skippers - Swallowtails - Whites - Hairstreaks - Coppers - Blues - Metalmarks - Emperors - Vanessids - Fritillaries - Danaids - Browns Moths - Micropterigids - Leaf Rollers - Pyralid Moths - Plume Moths - Swift Moths - Leopard & Goat Moths - Forester Moths - Burnet Moths - Clearwing Moths - Eggar Moths - Kentish Glory - Emperor Moths - Lutestring Moths - Geometer Moths - Hawkmoths - Prominent & Kitten Moths - Footman Moths - Tiger Moths - Ermines - Cinnabar Moth - Processionary Moths - Noctuid Moths

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Book Synopsis'Wonderful' Yorkshire Times 'Not just a celebration of these enigmatic creatures, but also a timely alarm bell about their shrinking numbers' The Lady 'Just about every hedgehog fact you could wish to know' Northern Echo Hedgehogs, with their quiet determination and bristling, bumbling ways, are one of the most enduring symbols of the countryside and town gardens. The Hedgehog Handbook explores different facets of this enigmatic and much-admired mammal – from its eating and sleeping habits to its literary heritage and how we can help preserve this icon of rural life. Packed with inspirational quotes, entertaining facts, folklore and literary references, it's the perfect gift for anyone with a penchant for prickles.Trade ReviewWonderful... A responsible perspective on animal conservation is underwritten by presentation of the shocking facts' * Yorkshire Times *Just about every hedgehog fact you could wish to know * Northern Echo *Not just a celebration of these enigmatic creatures, but also a timely alarm bell about their shrinking numbers * The Lady *One of our favourite books of the year * Yorkshire Post *

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Book SynopsisWhen is a marigold not a marigold? Where in Great Britain is a harebell a bluebell? What does a Burdock have to do with velcrose? And what does a dandelion have to do with teeth? In this delightful little book, historian Gerald Ponting reveals the fascinating stories at the heart of many wild flower names. From names made up by Shakespeare to names based on appearance or medicinal properties, prepare to be amused, informed and amazed.Trade ReviewWooden Books are: "Fascinating" FINANCIAL TIMES. "Beautiful" LONDON REVIEW OF BOOKS. "Rich and Artful" THE LANCET. "Genuinely mind-expanding" FORTEAN TIMES. "Excellent" NEW SCIENTIST. "Stunning" NEW YORK TIMES. Small books, big ideas.

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Book SynopsisArt history has been given a fun feline makeover. Discover the basics of important art movements through a host of beautifully illustrated cats, each one inspired by a specific period in art history. From Surrealism to Cubism, Abstract Expressionism to Ancient Egyptian art, these creative cats will introduce you to key themes and provide you with all of the inspiration you need if you want to create your own version.Each illustrated cat comes with an overview of the art movement that it represents, plus a breakdown of the cats features, explaining the relevance of each. Accompanied by fun, informative captions, each element - from faces and fur to patterns, shapes and colours - provides a quirky, accessible insight into the history of art.More than just a reference book, A History of Art in 21 Cats is perfect for art enthusiasts and cat lovers alike.Trade ReviewThe art book of the year [...] Ingenious. * Exeter Living *Art history not quite as you've ever seen it. * i Paper (Coffee Table Choice) *Engaging and informative. The kind of book you'll never want to put away * Absolutely Mama *We love this new book exploring fine art through the domestic cat ... Purrrfect! * Devon Life *Bright, bold and beautifully illustrated [...] it really is an ingenious, creative book. There's something for everyone to like here, be it creative layouts, brilliant artwork, the art history content, or indeed, just an appreciation of cats. * Culture Fly *These clever moggies sure know their stuff. Keep this book on your craft room bookshelf for the purr-fect pick-me-up. * Papercrafter Magazine *

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Book SynopsisEvery night, above our heads, a drama of epic proportions is playing out. Diamond planets, zombie stars, black holes heavier than a billion Suns. The cast of characters is extraordinary, and each one has its own incredible story to tell.We once thought of our Earth as unique, but we have now discovered thousands of alien planets, and that's barely a fraction of the worlds that are out there. And there are more stars in the Universe than grains of sand on every planet in the Solar System. But amid all this vastness, the Milky Way Galaxy, our Sun and the Earth are home to the only known life in the Universe at least for now.With a foreword from Professor Brian Cox, and access to all the latest stunning NASA photography, Andrew Cohen takes readers on a voyage of discovery, via the probes and telescopes exploring the outer reaches of our galaxy, revealing how it was formed and how it will inevitably be destroyed by the enigmatic black hole at its heart. And beyond our galaxy, the expandinTrade Review‘Wonderful in every sense’ Guardian ‘I wish Brian Cox had been my physics teacher’ The Times ‘Undeniably beautiful’ Daily Mail ‘Engaging and elucidating’ Metro ‘[The Universe] looks spectacular and the science is mind-boggling’ Telegraph Praise for The Planets by Andrew Cohen and Professor Brian Cox: ‘So staggering you go whoa!’ every few seconds … Cox is the Attenborough of the Solar System’ Guardian ‘Spectacular. [Cox’s] ability to convey maximum information in a clear and minimalist style is so softly winning and persuasive’ Sunday Times ‘Professor Brian Cox continues to boggle our minds’ Daily Mail ‘It was life affirming, it was perspective shifting. It was beautifully made’ Fearne Cotton, The Zoe Ball Breakfast Show, Radio 2 ‘Amazing work’ Emma Barnett, Adrian Chiles, Radio 5 Live ‘Starry-eyed Brian Cox is the only man for this job’ The Times ‘Wow’ Evening Standard ‘The professor makes us marvel at life on Earth’ iNews ‘Excellent … a blend of enjoyable, accessible science and dreamlike wonder’ The Times ‘Brian Cox breathes life into science again … breath-taking’ Guardian ‘Fascinating … Good science’ Observer ‘Extraordinary – at its best magically fascinating and full of vast, weird drama’ Radio Times Praise for Professor Brian Cox: ‘Cox’s romantic, lyrical approach to astrophysics all adds up to an experience that feels less like homework and more like having a story told to you. A really good story, too’ Guardian ‘He bridges the gap between our childish sense of wonder and a rather more professional grasp of the scale of things’ Independent ‘If you didn’t utter a wow watching the TV, you will while reading the book’ The Times ‘Engaging, ambitious and creative’ Guardian

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Book SynopsisZen meets cats -- and kitty litter -- in this calming Zen garden kit that includes everything you need to reach ultimate enlightenment.For any cat lover looking for peace and mindfulness, this kit includes: 3-inch Litter box tray Two 3/4-inch cats Bag of sand 5 decorative rocks 2-1/2-inch wooden rake 32-page book on the Zen of litter box gardening

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Book SynopsisA beautifully illustrated giftable gardening reference book, combining exquisite botanical illustrations with practical self-help projects. Readers can discover more than 200 life-saving plants and 25 home-grown remedies to make themselves.

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Book SynopsisThis beautifully illustrated bingo game features 64 species of birds from around the world. Spot all kinds of birds – from the robin to the puffin and the kookaburra to the splendid fairywren – mark them off on your card and bingo! Bird Bingo brings a fun and educational twist to the traditional game as players learn the names and colourings of both their favourite species and weird and wonderful exotic birds. Contains 64 superbly illustrated bird tokens, one board, 12 bingo cards and brightly coloured counters for you to mark up your card, as well as a leaflet containing basic information and a few quirky traits for all of the birds featured.

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Book SynopsisMatch the male and female pairs of 25 species of bird from around the world in this beautifully illustrated memory game. To play, simply place the cards face down and see if you can remember where the matching bird is located. Collect more pairs than your opponent to win! With all kinds of species – from the barn owl to the blue tit and the ostrich to the macaw – this fun and educational game is an ideal gift that will appeal to bird lovers everywhere.

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Book SynopsisA landmark publication that captures the beautiful richness of every aspect of trees and their importance for science, culture and the future of humankind. Trees feed us, shelter us, inspire us and heal us. In a world facing the destruction of the Amazon rainforest and a pressing climate emergency, the importance of these primeval beings in shaping our future is hard to understate. Generously illustrated and organized according to tree lifecycle from seeds, leaves and form to wood, flowers and fruit this book celebrates the great diversity and beauty of the 60,000 tree species that inhabit our planet. Exquisite details are rendered by surprising photography and infographics: intricate bark and leaf patterns, intertwined ecosystems, colourful flower displays, archaic wooden wheels and timber houses. Integral to science, art and culture, fundamental and fragile, dependent and depended on, the vitality of trees is revealed like never before.Trade Review'Stunningly illustrated and detailed ... a celebration of all things arboreal, from the seeds, leaves, flowers and fruit to the diversity of trees and how they have influenced art, culture and science' - Sunday Times'[Paul Smith] is a dendrologist with wit, passion and an enlightening way of telling a story ... the tree's frankly astonishing essence is generously illustrated and thoughtfully explained ... destined to become a classic and should certainly be part of any family's library' - World of Interiors'This stunningly illustrated book covers all aspects of trees, from seeds and leaves to wood, flowers and fruit, as well as their importance for humanity through the ages. Clear explanatory text by Paul Smith, a leading plant conservationist, balances the finely reproduced photos and graphics' - Financial Times, Books of the Year'Meticulously researched and illustrated ... detailed scientific facts are peppered with fascinating anecdotes' - English Garden'Extensive ... looks at 60,000 tree species across the world revealing fascinating facts' - The Garden'An engaging and beautiful book about all things arboreal' - Garden Answers'This accessible and fascinating overview spans the science of tree life, and more broadly their ecology and natural and social history ... All nine chapters are well illustrated throughout with helpful and insightful narrative, whether you just want to dip into subjects or desire a more concerted read' - Garden News'An engaging, enchantingly illustrated global study by plant ecologist and conservationist Paul Smith' - Nature'Very beautiful' - The Future Forest CompanyTable of ContentsForeword Introduction 1. Seeds 2. Leaves 3. Form 4. Bark 5. Wood 6. Flowers 7. Fruits 8. Symbiosis 9. Trees and Us

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Book Synopsis'BRITAIN'S FINEST LIVING NATURE WRITER' - THE TIMESA SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER and BBC Radio 4 'Book of the Week' from 'indisputably, one of the best nature-writers of his generation' (Country Life) Written in diary format, The Wood is the story of English woodlands as they change with the seasons. Lyrical and informative, steeped in poetry and folklore, The Wood inhabits the mind and touches the soul.For four years John Lewis-Stempel managed Cockshutt wood, a particular wood - three and half acres of mixed woodland in south west Herefordshire - that stands as exemplar for all the small woods of England. John coppiced the trees and raised cows and pigs who roamed free there. This is the diary of the last year, by which time he had come to know it from the bottom of its beech roots to the tip of its oaks, and to know all the animals that lived there - the fox, the pheasants, the wood mice, the tawny owl - and where the best bluebells grew. For many fauna and flora, woods like Cockshutt are the last refuge. It proves a sanctuary for John too. To read The Wood is to be amongst its trees as the seasons change, following an easy path until, suddenly the view is broken by a screen of leaves, or your foot catches on a root, or a bird startles overhead. This is a wood you will never want to leave.Trade ReviewIt is a pleasure to be in the company of a man who is so attuned to his woody world ... He is good at sketching nature, fixing a vivid image in the mind's eye of a reader ... Lewis-Stempel has rightly won himself the reputation as being among our best nature writers ... The Wood is an entertaining, illuminating, well-turned read -- Robbie Millen * The Times *John Lewis-Stempel is the hottest nature writer around. * Spectator *A heartfelt and evocative diary of a year among the trees…it’s his observation of the natural world – the sight, the sound, the smell of it – that is so memorable. He has a distinctively brisk, muscular style of writing that has a poetic intensity and concision. * Guardian *Lyrical diary documenting a year in nature ... he’s brilliant on birds and their habits. -- Helen Brown * Daily Mail *Another triumph. Natural, translucent, full of half-glimpsed depths....just like a wood itself. -- Philip Marsden

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Book SynopsisMaya Plass (consultant)After a BSc in Marine Biology and Coastal Ecology, followed by an MSc in Integrated Coastal Zone Management, Maya set up her own marine education business - Learn To Sea. She is a regular guest presenter on the BBC's Springwatch, Autumnwatch, and Coast and is author of the RSPB Handbook of the Seashore (2013). She is patron of three marine conservation charities - Sea-changers, MARINElife, and The Blue Mile.Chris Packham (foreword) Is a wildlife TV presenter, author, photographer, and naturalist.

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Book SynopsisCHOSEN AS A BOOK OF THE YEAR BY WATERSTONES AND THE TIMES''Nothing less than brilliant'' Wall Street Journal''Entertaining and original'' Guardian''Accessible and insightful, it''s a thought-provoking read'' Observer''Highly readable'' The Times__________What''s it like to be a bat, a bee, or a bed bug? From narwhals to slugs, Dr Justin Gregg offers a window into the minds of other creatures and debunks many of the myths of human exceptionalism. With the latest research on animal minds and cognitive psychology, he shows us what animal minds can teach us about humanity''s shortcomings. Mind-bending, humbling and hilarious, If Nietzsche Were a Narwhal will change how you think about animals, humans, and the meaning of life itself.__________''Provides real insight into hoTrade ReviewI love the book and everyone should read it -- Ryan HolidayIf Nietzsche Were A Narwhal makes some extraordinary and thought-provoking points. It is not only engagingly written, but its controversial thesis is worth taking seriously... some of the cognitive concepts introduced...are nothing less than brilliant. * Wall Street Journal *Beautiful, thought-provoking, and often hilarious * BBC Science Focus *Gregg's clever and provocative book is full of irreverent notions and funny anecdotes - the creative upside to being a human animal. But our ability to abstract from our immediate experience means we can take that creativity too far....undeniably entertaining * New York Times *A dazzling, delightful read on what animal cognition can teach us about our own mental shortcomings. You won't just tear through this book in one sitting - you'll probably want to invite Justin Gregg over for dinner to spend more time inside his brilliant mind. This is one of the best debuts I've read in a long time, and I dare you to open it without rethinking some of your basic ideas about intelligence. -- Adam GrantI defy you not to be interested by this book - it finds a novel way of getting at very deep questions about who we are and what it means, and does so with clear-eyed compassion and a certain humor that softens the conclusion a bit -- Bill McKibbenCombining first rate story-telling with the latest research on animal minds and cognitive psychology, If Nietzsche Were A Narwhal is the rare book that will cause readers to think deeply about big questions and moral issues and to laugh out loud on nearly every page. I loved it. -- Hal HerzogIf Nietzsche Were a Narwhal is a book full of observations as surprising and off-the-beaten-path as its title. It's scientifically very well informed. It's not a treatise - it's a pleasure. -- Carl SafinaI felt dumber after reading this book. Mission accomplished, Justin! -- David GrimmWe've heard that a mind is a terrible thing to waste, but have you ever considered that having a human mind is more a bane than a gift? Justin Gregg's delightful and provocative book melds science with anecdote to explore that question. Read it, have your preconceptions challenged, and feel some humility. It might do you good. -- Jonathan BalcombeA highly original take on the nature of intelligence across life forms. Simultaneously thought -provoking and delightfully humorous, Justin Gregg guides readers into an essential re-thinking of human exceptionalism. This is a welcome upending of all we have been molded to believe about humans and other animal minds. -- Lyanda Lynn HauptThis is an important book to read if you want to understand animals for what they are - not as cardboard cutouts, or as furry humans. Animal minds aren't in competition with us, although Gregg makes a good case that if they were, they would win hands down. The idea that human intelligence may be nothing more than a failed evolutionary dead end, gives humanity an important challenge to which we must rise. -- Arik KershenbaumWhat's it like to be a bat, a bee, or a bed bug? In this enthralling book, Justin Gregg offers a window into the minds of other creatures, and debunks many of the myths of human exceptionalism. He makes the provocative argument that human thinking may be complex, but it is by no means superior - and its unique qualities could even be the cause of our species' ultimate downfall. If Nietzsche Were a Narwhal is both a humbling and awe-inspiring read. -- David RobsonA funny, perceptive book that answers questions we've been told not to ask. Like many of the great sages, Justin Gregg uses animal stories to treat deep questions of consciousness and justice. The result is a deft field guide to the mixed blessings of intelligence and the real possibility that consciousness (and joy) exist perfectly well without it. -- William PoundstoneA sparkling and witty tour of the many minds we share this planet with. Nietzsche might be surprised to find himself contemplated in the company of beasts from narwhals to slugs - but the fascinating and detailed payoff of the cognitive lives of so many animals is immense. -- Clive WynneEnlightening! If Nietzsche Were a Narwhal is a hilarious and thrilling look at intelligence that asks: are humans really the best? Gregg will dazzle and sweep you off your feet with his detailed exploration of the animal kingdom and its many secrets. This is an absolute must-read. -- Wednesday MartinIf Nietzsche Were a Narwhal is an unusual, delightful, and entertaining book that will help us achieve a more precise understanding of human nature, counterintuitively by looking at our reflection in light of the clues of conscious behavior expressed by our fellow animals. I loved Dr. Gregg's book because I learned quite a few interesting things from each chapter. As a scholar, I can offer no higher praise. Highly recommended. -- Oné R PagánIf Nietzsche were a Narwhal is a beautiful, thought-provoking and often hilarious exploration of this planet's different kinds of minds. Justin Gregg points out that while many of the hallmarks of human intelligence are also found, in some form, in animals from insects to narwhals, humans are by all means exceptional. But our intelligence is still constrained by our evolutionary history; we may be too intelligent for own good, and too stupid to look after our planet with a sufficiently long-term planning perspective. Gregg's magnificent book is a poignant reminder that if we don't raise our game fast, we might once again cede Earth to the rule of insects and other supposedly less intelligent creatures. -- Lars Chittka[If Nietzsche Were a Narwhal] challenges deep-seated ideas about the superiority of human intelligence by contrasting it with stories of animals who've gotten along just fine without it * Publishers Weekly *

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Book SynopsisFollowing the incredible Botanicum, Katie Scott returns with a companion activity book. Bursting with fascinating facts and puzzles, this book offers hours of entertainment to artists and nature lovers. Beautiful and inspiring, the myriad activities in this book challenge the reader to discover something new and use their imagination to draw, decorate and design on every pull-out page.Trade ReviewThe Welcome to the Museum books are, without exception, quite superb. They really get to the heart of what museums are all about, bringing them to life for children. This is the companion book to Botanicum, and it's packed with yet more fascinating facts. The book is also full of puzzles and colouring activities which offer hours of entertainment to artists and nature lovers young and old. Beautiful and inspiring, the myriad activities in this book challenge the reader to discover something new and use their imagination to draw, decorate and design on every pull-out page - I am sitting here longing to get my pens out and to get colouring! Once all the activities are completed, the book will be one to treasure. * Parents in Touch *If you loved Botanicum and who wouldn't, then this from the same team, is definitely for you: it's an activity book par excellence and is billed as 5+. However, as an early years teacher, I've seen 4 year olds do amazingly detailed observational drawings of plants, so I'd bring this down to 4+.This one took me right back to my 'gap year' working as an assistant in the herbarium at Kew where I was awed by the work of the, then resident artist.Back to this book, which has equally stunning illustrations and is probably best used alongside its 'parent' volume. There are pages of flowers and plants to colour; and those who would rather draw have several opportunities: there's a cycad tree with step-by-step visual instructions, ditto a pineapple fruit. Those who require a little guidance can complete algae patterns,draw mirror images of a buttercup half, three half leaves, add stem and foliage to four bulbs, for instance. For more confident drawing enthusiasts there are opportunities to create a cactus; complete a Carboniferous forest; add details to some leaves and create your own leaf , to name just some of the more open ended drawing activities.Spot-the-difference enthusiasts will also be satisfied with the four pages each with ten differences allocated to that activity: this one's truly beautiful. (You can always cheat by looking at the reverse side if you can't find them all.)Should you want to test your botanical knowledge there are pages for that too including There's even a maze, which looks quite forbidding, but I managed to do it - eventually - without cheating.With over 35 activities in all, this superb book offers hours of gently educational pleasure. * Red Reading Hub *'Botanicum' is back and this time Katie Scott & Kathy Willis have produced the most sublime activity book. Bursting with fascinating facts and puzzles, this book offers hours of entertainment to artists and nature lovers, young and old. Featuring a myriad of activities it challenges the reader to discover something new and use their imagination to draw, decorate and design. Like 'Botanicum' this divine celebration of plants features a colourful array of intricate and dazzling illustrations combined with comprehensive botanical knowledge. An absolute joy of an activity book. * Book Lover Jo *Botanicmn is a beautiful activity book, that challenges the leader to draw, colour and design on every pull-out page. Perfect for parents and grandparents and their little ones. * Woman's Weekly *Colouring, drawing, puzzles, facts and astonishing plants... the perfect combination for all budding artists and naturalists! Following last year's publication of the incredible Botanicum, a super-sized book of stunning botanical delights, and the next best thing to stepping inside a real-life exhibition of plants, author Professor Kathy Willis and illustrator Katie Scott return with a beautiful companion activity book. Bursting with fascinating facts and puzzles, this carefully crafted book, published by Big Picture Press in association with Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew, offers hours of enjoyment to artists and nature lovers, young and old. The wide variety of activities, including mazes, spot the difference, matching crops to their names, colouring, doodling and drawing, challenge the reader to discover something new and use their imagination to draw, decorate and design on every pull-out page. The good quality paper and wonderfully intricate artwork ensure that this big, bold book is not just blooming with the most amazing plant life but can help to inspire a new generation of artists. -- Pam Norfolk * Lancashire Evening Post *Children and adults who enjoyed Botanicum (Welcome To The Museum) by Katie Scott and Kathy Willis are going to love the Botanicum Activity Book. Don't be misled by the suggestion that the book is aimed at the seven-plus age group: there's plenty in here for anyone who is still capable of holding a pen or pencil.You could treat this as a standalone activity book but young and old will both get so much more out of the books if they're both available, the main book for reference and the activity book to put their knowledge into practice, to play with it a little and allow it to become part of them. Adults and children who enjoy colouring will enjoy the challenge of the cannonball flower, but my particular favourite in the colouring activities was the page of wild flowers. The result (even with my limited artistic skills) is good enough to frame - the page can be removed with a sharp knife - but the instruction Colour in the wild flowers needs careful exclusion from the end result. For those who like to draw rather than to colour there are opportunities to completes drawings (the mirror images of half leaves was most satisfying) and for those who are less certain of their drawing skills there are even examples showing you how to draw certain specimens. My cycan tree didn't turn out quite as I would have liked, but there's space for more tries.As a child I loved 'Spot the Difference' puzzles and I regressed quite happily. There are several puzzles, each with ten differences to spot and I had a lot of fun. If you get stuck the answers are on the back of the puzzle page. There's a water-lily-leaf maze - and I'll admit to having looked up the answer when I got stuck on that once too often. Some pages are tests of knowledge - which plants grow in which part of the world for example. There's nothing too complex and - once again - the answers are there if you need them.The book is top quality in terms of production values. The paper is substantial and there's no bleed through to the reverse of the page even with dark-coloured felt-tip pens. It travels well - there's a millboard backing which means that a table isn't always necessary. If you do have a table you'll find that the book opens reasonably flat - there none of the frustration of finding that the picture you're colouring disappears into the gutter between the pages and you can't actually get at it. The book's excellent value too. The cover price of £8.99 might seem high for an activity book, but there are 37 activities. Very few will engage just for minutes (even the spot-the-difference puzzles took me quite a while to complete and only one puzzle - the 'find the missing square' - was quickly obvious. Some of the colouring is going to take hours. This could give you peace on a long journey whilst it's being gently educational! -- Sue Magee * Book Bag *Botanicum Activity Book by Kate Scott and Kathy Willis: This activity book is inspired by Botanicum and is published in association with The Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew. Published on sturdy paper it's a fantastic activity book for nature lovers and introduces children to many varieties of plant life. Activities include colouring in pages, spot the difference, matching and finish the drawings.Favourite activities here were matching plants to the world regions that they are found, matching carnivorous plants to their prey, learning how to draw a pineapple and drawing the life cycle of a dandelion. The back of each page gives extra facts so that children can learn more in an informal way. This activity book makes learning about plants fun! * Story Snug *

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Book SynopsisFrogs are remarkable creatures. They have mastered both land and water, and can breathe through their skins and their lungs. Some of them are so poisonous that just one tiny frog harbours enough toxins to kill ten people, while others hold the key to lifesaving medicines. Frogs have colonised some of the most challenging terrains on the planet, from the Arctic to the South African desert, adopting miraculous breeding strategies in the process.Sally Coulthard explores both familiar native British species of frogs and toads and exotic rarities many of which are under threat and offers plenty of helpful advice on how to make your garden more frog-friendly.Brimful of extraordinary facts from frogspawn and froglets to eating habits and hibernation The Book of the Frog is the ideal jumping-off point for anyone with a fascination for amphibians.

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Book SynopsisA 2024 Book of the Year pick in The Spectator, The Times Literary Supplement and blogs by Mark Avery and Stephen MossThe Return of the Grey Partridge tells the extraordinary story of how wildlife is restored to the Arundel Estate in West Sussex. Prompted by the collapse in numbers of one species, the grey partridge of the title, the managers of the estate woke up to the devastating effect modern farming methods were having on wildlife.Following the estate through the seasons of one year, the book shows how the farm of Peppering is gradually renatured: fields are divided up with hedgerows and trees, beetle banks are built across fields, the land is manured rather than fed with artificial fertilisers, and much of it is returned to pasture. Detailed descriptions of nature give a sense of this large estate coming back to life - still very much farmland, but with a rapid increase in wildlife and biodiversity. And the partridges return.Written in collaboration with the Duke of Norfolk, owner of the Arundel Estate, this moving and hopeful account shows how modern farming can work in partnership with nature to restore not only birdlife but to benefit the whole ecosystem.

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Book SynopsisLive. Laugh. Bark. What could be better than the presence of a fuzzy and faithful four-legged friend? From their loyalty and devotion to their endearing capacity to face life, work and exercise with endless enthusiasm, dogs have been our steadfast companions for thousands of years. They may be wordless, but their ability to communicate with deeply expressive eyes, a wagging tail or a joyful bark brings out the very best in their humans – and it's no wonder they have inspired many a bon mot or wise insight over the decades. Packed full of wonderful quotes as well as fascinating snippets of information, this little book is the perfect gift for any dog-lover. 'If you pick up a starving dog and make him prosperous, he will not bite you. This is the principal difference between a dog and a man.' Mark Twain, Pudd’nhead Wilson, 1894. 'Like many other much-loved humans, they believed that they owned their dogs, instead of realizing that their dogs owned them.' Dodie Smith, The 101 Dalmatians, 1956. 'My dog is half pit-bull, half poodle. Not much of a watchdog, but a vicious gossip.' Craig Shoemaker. Table of ContentsIn Praise of Dogs • It’s a Dog’s Life • Paws for Thought • Man’s Best Friend • Woofs of Wisdom.

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