THE INSTANT SUNDAY TIMES AND NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLERSHORTLISTED FOR THE WOMEN'S PRIZE FOR NON-FICTION 2025SHORTLISTED FOR WATERSTONES BOOK OF THE YEAR 2024SHORTLISTED FOR THE BRITISH BOOK AWARDS' BOOK OF THE YEARSHORTLISTED FOR THE HATCHARDS AND BIOGRAPHERS' CLUB FIRST BIOGRAPHY PRIZE A BOOK OF THE YEAR FOR THE HAY FESTIVAL, SUNDAY TIMES, THE TIMES, FINANCIAL TIMES, SPECTATOR AND iNEWS 'A beautiful book' - ANGELINA JOLIE'I will be recommending this to everyone' - MATT HAIG'Quietly profound, beautifully written, Hare is now lodged in my heart' - TRACY CHEVALIER__Imagine you could hold a baby hare and bottle-feed it. Imagine that it lived under your roof and lolloped around your bedroom at night, drumming on the duvet cover when it wanted your attention. Imagine that, over two years later, it still ran in from the fields when you called it and snoozed in your house for hours on end. This happened to me.When lockdown led busy professional Chloe to leave the city and return to the countryside of her childhood, she never expected to find herself custodian of a newly born hare. Yet when she finds the creature, endangered, alone and no bigger than her palm, she is compelled to give it a chance at survival.Raising Hare chronicles their journey together and the challenges of caring for the leveret and preparing for its return to the wild. We witness an extraordinary relationship between human and animal, rekindling our sense of awe towards nature and wildlife. This improbable bond of trust serves to remind us that the most remarkable experiences, inspiring the most hope, often arise when we least expect them. Read more

Watch a thousand years unfold in the life of one magnificent tree!A thousand years ago, a tiny acorn fell to the ground. As the years pass, it grows . . . and GROWS into an enormous oak tree! As the centuries sweep by, children play games around the tree. Families dance about it. A fleeing king even hides inside its hollow trunk!The tree gives food and shelter to a host of animals, from squirrels and badgers to birds and beetles.After a thousand years, the ancient tree finally falls in a storm - but a new acorn sprouts, and the cycle of life begins all over again.The tree's magical life story is brought to life in Julia Donaldson's rich, dramatic rhyme.Victoria Sandøy's gorgeous, atmospheric illustrations perfectly capture the changing seasons, and the people and wildlife that pass byChildren will love spotting all the creatures in the pictures, and seeing the games children play around the treeThis is a book that encourages us all to look more closely at nature, and to appreciate the wonder of our ancient trees.The final pages of the book contain extra fascinating facts about oak trees and the animals that depend on them.Praise for The Christmas Pine, also by Julia Donaldson and Victoria Sandøy: "Magical . . . as well as paying tribute to tradition, the gentle rhythmic verse and stunning pictures illuminate the two other things close to Julia's heart: the power of children and song"Julia Donaldson is the author of many of the best-loved children's books ever written. She has been awarded a CBE for services to literature, and is the most celebrated children's writer in Britain today.Many of Julia Donaldson's beloved picture books have been made into award-winning animated films which are regularly shown on the BBC at Christmas. Read more

'This book deserves a place in your bookcase next to Harari's Sapiens. It's every bit as fascinating and is surely destined to be just as successful' Julian Norton From the plains of ancient Mesopotamia to the vast sheep farms of modern-day Australia, sheep have been central to the human story. Since our our Neolithic ancestors' first forays into sheep-rearing nearly 11,000 years ago, these remarkable animals have fed us, clothed us, changed our diet and language and financed the conquest of large swathes of the earth.Sally Coulthard weaves this fascinating story into a vivid and colourful tapestry of engaging anecdotes and extraordinary ovine facts, whose multiple strands celebrate just how pivotal these woolly animals are to almost every aspect of human society and culture.This title was published also in the United States under the title Follow the Flock.'A snappy, stimulating book, and certainly not just for shepherds' Mail on Sunday'Full of fascinating social history' Independent'You won't look at a sheep in the same way again' Country Living Read more

The funny and joyful picture book from the number one bestselling author and illustrator of The Gruffalo, Stick Man and Zog. 'Morning had dawned on the African plain. The lion lay grooming his glorious mane. The kudu looked cool and the rhino looked fine. The bright pink flamingos looked simply divine. The zebra looked graceful; the leopard look great. Oh what a picture of beauty - but wait!'Who's that singing on the savannah? The wildebeest, warthog, vulture, hyena and marabou stork swagger proudly across the savannah, rejoicing in their ugliness - and delighting their babies, who think they're perfect just the way they are.Inspired by the real-life Ugly Five safari animals, this gorgeous picture book is a celebration of animals who are often rather unloved. Sturdy board pages with softly rounded corners are perfect for little onesA funny and comical picture book from the UK's number one picture book author and illustrator Perfect read-aloud rhyming text and stunning pictures on every page with lots of details to spotFull of fabulous animals!Celebrates being yourself, family and friendship From the creators of The Gruffalo, Stick Man and Zog, which have all been made into animated films The animated film of Tabby McTat stars voice artists including Jodie Whittaker (Doctor Who) as the narrator, Rob Brydon (Gavin and Stacey) as Fred, Sope Dirisu (Gangs of London) as Tabby McTat, alongside Cariad Lloyd, Joanna Scanlan and Susan Wokoma.Look out for Jonty Gentoo by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler in 2024.'Evoke[s] the love between parents and children of every species' Guardian Read more

The Field Guide to British Deer has long been the accepted handbook for all those having an interest in deer, whether they are professional or amateur. It provides the necessary information for the identification of all deer found in the British Isles, and discusses aspects of their biology that give a fuller understanding of each species. This new edition has been fully revised to include the latest UK distribution maps as well as colour ID photographs to assist in determining the age, sex and species of deer seen. Chapters include: How to use the Field Guide; Signs of the presence of deer; Habitat; Tracks; Droppings; An introduction to deer watching; Voice; Identification; Antler development and ageing; Seasonal change of coat; Gait and movement; Food and feeding; Habits and activities; Seasonal behaviour; Distribution maps. Appendices include: Glossary; Statutory Close Seasons for deer; Invasive Alien Species Order 2019; The British Deer Society; Further resources. Read more

Once common across most of the country, beavers were hunted to extinction in the sixteenth century, but returned to Scottish waters in the early 2000s both through authorised and accidental releases. The deadwood wetlands they create benefit a huge numbers of species, but their activities can also cause havoc with land management, and for this reason their reintroduction is a controversial topic.In November 2021 a family of beavers was relocated to Argaty, Perthshire. Never before had beavers in conflict sites been relocated to new areas of Scotland instead of being culled. It paved the way for a new era in human/beaver relations.In this deeply personal account, Argaty’s Tom Bowser tells of his attempts to save these incredible animals, of the support and opposition received and of the unimaginable gains that beavers ultimately brought to his family farm. Tom also traces the history of these animals and tells the stories of the people who brought them back and fought for their right to remain. In doing so he also explores the wider themes of rewilding and nature conservation in Scotland, meeting some of the leading lights of this exciting and movement, highlighting the work that they do and showing why ecological restoration is so important for the future of our planet. Read more

Adult Coloring Book Beautiful IllustrationsGiraffe Coloring Book for AdultsA beautiful adult coloring book of gorgeous giraffe designs. Contains 40 full-page illustrations. Carefully curated designs will provide hours of fun, stress relief, creativity, and relaxation. A variety of styles from simpler to complex allows colorists of all levels to enjoy and create. From realistic to fantastical, these giraffe designs are sure to please.This premium coloring book features:40 unique illustrations, no repeatsModern durable coverPrinted single side on pure white paperHigh-quality paper stock minimizes bleed throughLarge 8.5 x 11 pagesCarefully chosen designs will provide hours of fun, stress relief, creativity, and relaxationEach page is professionally composed to provide the highest qualityHigh-resolution printing for crisp, clear illustrationsGet your copy today! Read more

'The most magical book about the African bush since Born Free' – Daily Mail'A beautiful love story between humans and the majestic elephants' – Jo Malone, Daily ExpressFrançoise Malby-Anthony never expected to find herself responsible for a herd of elephants with a troubled past. A chic Parisienne, her life changed forever when she fell in love with South African conservationist Lawrence Anthony. Together they founded a game reserve but after Lawrence’s death, Françoise faced the daunting responsibility of running Thula Thula without him. Poachers attacked their rhinos, their security team wouldn’t take orders from a woman and the authorities were threatening to cull their beloved elephant family. On top of that, the herd’s feisty new matriarch Frankie didn’t like her.In this heart-warming and moving book, Françoise describes how she fought to protect the herd and to make her dream of building a wildlife rescue centre a reality. She found herself caring for a lost baby elephant who turned up at her house, and offering refuge to traumatized orphaned rhinos, and a hippo called Charlie who was scared of water. As she learned to trust herself, she discovered she’d had Frankie wrong all along . . .Filled with extraordinary animals and the humans who dedicate their lives to saving them, An Elephant in My Kitchen by Françoise Malby-Anthony is a captivating and gripping read. Read more

Identifying wildlife in Britain and Ireland is quick and easy with this complete practical field guide to the animals, plants, and fungi of the British Isles.The pocket-sized format means Pocket Nature Wildlife of Britain and Ireland is perfectly portable and ideal for slipping into your rucksack while rambling, or popping into the glove compartment for trips further afield. Packed with in-situ photography and text written by wildlife experts, this indispensable book covers everything from trees, wild flowers, and fungi to wild animals, including mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, and insects.The key features of this beautiful book to British and Irish wildlife includes: - Close-up photography shows key details and highlights distinguishing features, making it easy to identify species.- Each entry includes at-a-glance facts for quick reference.- Simple graphics provide information on scale and silhouette shape to aid quick identification.-Distribution maps provide a quick and easy guide to the best areas to spot each speciesThis nature book is organized into groups that are easily understood and recognized by the complete novice. Coverage is comprehensive, with more than 1,000 species included. Each entry comprises a prominent photo of the subject for identification, supporting photos that show important details or variations, and a data panel to summarize key facts consistently. A simple text profile picks out the most useful details to aid accurate identification and provides interesting background information. Maps show you where you can expect to find a species, so you can plan your spotting and make the most of your surroundings, whether you are on a holiday browse or serious quest.From the Hummingbird Hawk-moth to the False Deathcap fungus, Pocket Nature Wildlife of Britain and Ireland is the ideal family guide to wildlife in the British Isles. Read more

DK brings you an all-encompassing guide to exploring, understanding and appreciating nature like never before.Join Chris Packham as he reveals how easy it is to learn about the flora and fauna that surround us every single day, from boosting your bird-watching skills to approaching urban farming, this horticultural handbook has it all! Let DK plant the seed of curiosity in the minds of our readers, and watch as it blossoms into a life-long love of nature and nurture, allowing you to engage with the wonders of the world, without intruding!With passion in every page, Packham brings you:-An informative yet jargon-free guide to exploring and understanding nature in all its forms-Illustrated visual studies of how habitats interact and coexist with each other-Top tips on observing and monitoring local wildlife sustainably-Photographic guides to seasonal outdoor activities for the whole family to enjoy-Quick-reference panels explaining key scientific concepts for each habitat exploredFirst published in 2010, this naturalist handbook has since been revised extensively to encompass the latest technology and equipment accessible for naturalists to discover and engage with local wildlife no matter where you live. Touching upon the latest conservationist issues in today's current climate, this curated wildlife encyclopedia will appeal to all nature enthusiasts passionate about exploring the natural world, whilst simultaneously setting out to protect it. This nature guide promotes conservation and demonstrates simple ways to contribute to the health of the natural world. From raising caterpillars into blooming butterflies, to handy hints on how to record nature respectfully, this wonders of nature book is sure to shape your learning experience like never before. This beautifully illustrated wildlife book encompasses a habitat-by-habitat approach, introducing readers to different ecosystems in turn with both informative text and inspirational imagery, proving the perfect gift for budding botanists, green-fingered gardeners or for the nature lover in your life. Read more

With unforgettable characters and exotic wildlife, The Elephant Whisperer is an enthralling book that will appeal to animal lovers and adventurous souls everywhere.When South African conservationist Lawrence Anthony was asked to accept a herd of 'rogue' elephants on his Thula Thula game reserve in Zululand, his common sense told him to refuse. But he was the herd's last chance of survival – dangerous and unpredictable, they would be killed if Anthony wouldn't take them in. As Anthony risked his life to create a bond with the troubled elephants and persuade them to stay on his reserve, he came to realize what a special family they were, from the wise matriarch Nana, who guided the herd, to her warrior sister Frankie, always ready to see off any threat, and their children who fought so hard to survive. Read more

A magical picture book for Christmas, written in perfect, heartfelt rhyme by Julia Donaldson, bestselling creator of Zog and Superworm."Magical . . . as well as paying tribute to tradition, the gentle rhythmic verse and stunning pictures illuminate the two other things close to Julia's heart: the power of children and song"Good HousekeepingDeep in a snowy wood stands a little pine tree with a special destiny: when it grows up, it's going to be the famous Christmas tree in Trafalgar Square!This is the perfect picture book to snuggle up with and share at Christmas. Gorgeous, atmospheric illustrations whisk you from frozen forests to the sparkling city square in a beautiful, moving story of festivity and hope.Julia Donaldson's perfect rhyme is a joy to read aloud. This is a classic to treasure for generationsVictoria Sandøy's exquisite, atmospheric illustrations are full of gorgeous details to point out and shareA paragraph on the final page of the book explains the true story behind the tree The Christmas Pine is based on a true story. It celebrates a special tradition that stretches back over seventy years. Every year, the Mayor of Oslo in Norway presents the British people with a spectacular Christmas tree. The tree is a symbol of peace and friendship, and a thank you for the UK's support during World War II.Each year, the UK Poetry Society asks a poet to write a poem to welcome the tree. Julia Donaldson originally wrote The Christmas Pine to celebrate the 2020 Christmas tree. The poem was performed by London schoolchildren, and displayed in Trafalgar Square. Julia Donaldson is the author of many of the best-loved children's books ever written. She has been awarded a CBE for services to literature, and is the most celebrated children's writer in Britain today.Many of Julia Donaldson's beloved picture books have been made into award-winning animated films which are regularly shown on the BBC at Christmas.Superworm animation will premiere on BBC Christmas 2021 Read more

'Exquisite and timely.' Maggie O'Farrell'A rare and magical book. I didn't want it to end.' Bill Bryson'A witty, intoxicating paean to Earth's wondrous creatures.' Observer'A total miracle.' Max Porter** Shortlisted for Waterstones and Foyles Book of the Year **** Shortlisted for the Wainwright Prize for Nature Writing **** A Top Ten Sunday Times bestseller **The world is more astonishing, more miraculous and more wonderful than our wildest imaginings. In this passionately persuasive and sharply funny book, Katherine Rundell tells us how and why.A lavishly illustrated collection of the lives of some of the Earth's most astounding animals, The Golden Mole is a chance to be awestruck and lovestruck - to reckon with the beauty of the world, its fragility, and its strangeness.A swift flies two million kilometres in its lifetime. That's far enough to get to the moon and back twice over - and then once more to the moon. A pangolin keeps its tongue furled in a pouch by its hip. A Greenland shark can live five hundred years. A wombat once inspired a love poem.'Rundell's pen is gold-tipped.' Sunday Times'I love everything about this book: it is a rare little treasure.' Joanna Lumley'Beautifully written.' Monty Don Katherine Rundell's book The Golden Mole was a Sunday Times bestseller w/c 04-11-2023 Read more

'Enthralling' Daily MailIn 1998, Françoise Malby-Anthony founded a game reserve with her late husband, dedicating their lives to the protection of these beautiful, troubled animals. The Elephants of Thula Thula is the profound, compelling story of their life's work.Françoise Malby-Anthony is the owner of a game reserve in South Africa with a remarkable family of elephants whose adventures have touched hearts around the world. The herd’s feisty matriarch Frankie knows who’s in charge at Thula Thula, and it’s not Françoise. But when Frankie becomes ill, and the authorities threaten to remove or cull some of the herd if the reserve doesn’t expand, Françoise is in a race against time to save her beloved elephants . . .The joys and challenges of a life dedicated to conservation are vividly described in this charming and moving book. The search is on to get a girlfriend for orphaned rhino Thabo – and then, as his behaviour becomes increasingly boisterous, a big brother to teach him manners. Françoise realizes a dream with the arrival of Savannah the cheetah – an endangered species not seen in the area since the 1940s – and finds herself rescuing meerkats kept as pets. But will Thula Thula survive the pandemic, an invasion from poachers and the threat from a mining company wanting access to its land?As Françoise faces her toughest years yet, she realizes once again that with their wisdom, resilience and communal bonds, the elephants have much to teach us. Read more

A comprehensive photographic field guide to the mammals of Great Britain and Ireland Britain’s Mammals is a comprehensive and beautifully designed photographic field guide to all the mammals recorded in the wild in Great Britain and Ireland in recent times—including marine mammals, bats and introduced species that have bred. The book features 500 stunning photographs and incorporates invaluable tips and suggestions to help you track down and identify even the most difficult species. This easy-to-use book provides an introduction to the different types of mammal. Concise species accounts focus on identification, and include up-to-date information on sounds, habitat, food, habits, breeding behaviour, and population and status, as well as descriptions of key field signs—including tracks, droppings and nests—that give away the presence of mammals even when they are out of sight. Guidance is also provided on ways of studying and observing mammals—including small-mammal trapping, bat detecting and whale watching. In addition, the book contains sections on mammal conservation, legislation and further sources of useful information. Handy and informative, this guide is the ideal companion for anyone interested in watching mammals in Great Britain and Ireland.Comprehensive coverage of all 126 mammal species recorded500 superb colour photographs carefully selected to show key identification featuresUp-to-date distribution mapsDetailed illustrations of tracks, dentition and other identification featuresHelpful tips for identifying tracks and other signs you may encounterLatest information on status, population, distribution and conservation designationsAdvice on finding and watching mammals Read more

Step into the enchanting world of the hedgerow as never before in this exquisite Brambly Hedge Pop-Up book…When Mrs Apple isn’t baking, picking berries or attending a celebration with the rest of Brambly Hedge, she’s busy recording events from the mice’s daily life in her diary.From the excitement of Poppy and Dusty’s wedding to the grandeur of the much-awaited Snow Ball, reminisce on all your favourite seasonal moments from the hedgerow in this beautiful pop-up book.The mice of Brambly Hedge have been delighting fans all over the globe for over forty years and this book, containing Jill Barklem’s original exquisite artwork in glorious 3D, is a charming celebration of the world of Brambly Hedge, sure to entrance readers young and old alike. Read more

Tigers is an outstanding collection of photographs showing these fearsome yet magnificent animals in action. Tigers are the largest big cats in the world and because of this, many cultures consider the tiger to be a symbol of strength, courage and dignity. They are featured in ancient mythology and folklore and continue to be depicted in modern films and literature. You’ll discover how tigers are adapted for hunting: A tiger’s paws and claws are one of its greatest weapons during the hunt. Strong, and powerful enough to kill prey with a swipe, the bones in their paws also have cord-like ligaments to buffer them from the impact of hitting prey at a full run. You’ll also learn many other fascinating facts, such as how each tiger is unique – did you know that no two tigers have the same pattern of stripes? Or that you can tell a tiger’s age by its nose? Young tigers have a pink nose which gradually darkens, turning orange, then a blackish-brown as it reaches maturity. With full captions explaining how these incredible animals hunt and feed, rear their young and survive in the wild, Tigers is a brilliant examination in 150 outstanding colour photographs of this beautiful animal. Read more

A definitive account of the bright-eyed assassins of the British countryside.Stoats, weasels, martens and polecats belong to the mustelid family, along with badgers and otters, and feral American mink, which are a recent addition to the UK countryside, following escapes and releases from fur farms.This new volume in the New Naturalist Library focuses on the four ‘small mustelids’, all highly specialised predators, ubiquitous assassins to be marvelled at. There is a family likeness, the rather pointed snout, powerful jaws and sharp fangs and the long sinuous slender body with short legs. These small mustelids are also possessed of dense fur, which once led to their being hunted nearly to extinction. Some can kill prey larger than themselves, in some cases much larger, and they are uniquely adapted to hunt their rodent prey. They also have extraordinary lives – some in total seclusion, some in large, related groups – now brought into the light by one of the UK’s leading small mustelid experts.Dr Jenny MacPherson, who managed the Pine Marten Recovery Project for England and Wales, introduces readers to Britain’s small mustelid species in delightfully rich text, covering the animals’ physiology, daily lives and distribution, as well as their significance in UK history and folklore. And she shares her experiences from the forefront of the work to conserve these amazing animals. Read more

In 2020, it will have been twenty-five years since one of the greatest wildlife conservation and restoration achievements of the twentieth century took place: the reintroduction of wolves to the world's first national park, Yellowstone. Eradicated after the park was established, then absent for seventy years, these iconic carnivores returned to Yellowstone in 1995 when the US government reversed its century-old policy of extermination and--despite some political and cultural opposition--began the reintroduction of forty-one wild wolves from Canada and northwest Montana. In the intervening decades, scientists have studied their myriad behaviors, from predation to mating to wolf-pup play, building a one-of-a-kind field study that has both allowed us to witness how the arrival of top predators can change an entire ecosystem and provided a critical window into impacts on prey, pack composition, and much else. Here, for the first time in a single book, is the incredible story of the wolves' return to Yellowstone National Park as told by the very people responsible for their reintroduction, study, and management. Anchored in what we have learned from Yellowstone, highlighting the unique blend of research techniques that have given us this knowledge, and addressing the major issues that wolves still face today, this book is as wide-ranging and awe-inspiring as the Yellowstone restoration effort itself. We learn about individual wolves, population dynamics, wolf-prey relationships, genetics, disease, management and policy, newly studied behaviors and interactions with other species, and the rippling ecosystem effects wolves have had on Yellowstone's wild and rare landscape. Perhaps most importantly of all, the book also offers solutions to ongoing controversies and debates. Featuring a foreword by Jane Goodall, beautiful images, a companion online documentary by celebrated filmmaker Bob Landis, and contributions from more than seventy wolf and wildlife conservation luminaries from Yellowstone and around the world, Yellowstone Wolves is a gripping, accessible celebration of the extraordinary Yellowstone Wolf Project--and of the park through which these majestic and important creatures once again roam. Read more

'This book is a good way to acquaint (or reacquaint) yourself with the species and there are more images of hedgehogs in this little book than I've seen live ones in my life. It's a great introduction to the species as a species (diet, morphology, reproduction etc), as a conservation case (threats and solutions) and its place in folklore and legends.' Mark Avery 'There is something for everyone here, perfect for the newcomer to the hedgehog world but also full of fascinating detail for those of us who have long been enthralled with all things hedgehoggy. ... Who would have thought after over 20 years of working for BHPS and having read pretty much every hedgehog book that exists, that in this book Hugh could still provide intriguing information that is new to me! Fay Vass, Chief Executive, British Hedgehog Preservation Society'Easy to read, informative and entertaining; The Hedgehog Book is perfect for nature nerds and newbies alike.' Hedgehog Street The Hedgehog Book is the latest in the compact, accessible Nature Books series, exploring our relationship with some of Britain s best-loved wild creatures.A welcome visitor heard rustling through our hedges or spotted shuf ing across our lawns, hedgehogs are a celebrated addition to every garden and their proper care and conservation valuable to numerous other species. Through informative chapters ranging from the physiological and environmental to the inclusion of the hedgehog in myth, legend, art and literature, The Hedgehog Book is an ideal guide to its subject for all nature lovers, beautifully illustrated throughout with new photography and artwork.Chapters include: Physiology, Environment, Myth and Legend, Art and Literature Read more